Latest news with #NewZealand-led
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Kiwi Garage Start Up Now Of NZ's Largest Dual Market Export Operations, Set For $115m Expansion In China
A Kiwi company that began as a West Auckland garage start-up nearly three decades ago has grown into one of NZ's largest dual-market export operations, and is set for further expansion with the construction of a new $115m biotech manufacturing facility in China underway. Manukau-based Alpha Group is a vertically integrated nutraceutical exporter at the international forefront of fermentation technologies. The company produces patented fungal and plant-based bioactives, with integrated research and manufacturing operations across New Zealand and China. The new 60,000m² facility in Ningde will support New Zealand's fermentation export capabilities by integrating advanced R&D, testing, treatment and production. Once complete, it is expected to generate more than NZ$225 million in annual revenue and expand Alpha's transnational footprint to over 119 hectares. To date, the company has invested over NZ$830 million in developing this global infrastructure. Alpha Group was founded in New Lynn in 1998 by Professor Yihuai Gao, a globally recognised researcher in medicinal fungi and honorary fellow at Massey University's Riddet Institute. Mike Arand, Alpha Group senior business advisor, says the new facility is the physical realisation of Alpha's long-term dual-market strategy, which combines New Zealand's scientific and natural resource strengths with China's demand, scale and infrastructure. He says the development bridges lab-to-market pathways, turning New Zealand-led research into commercial outcomes that drive export growth and reinvestment into local R&D. 'This facility unlocks exponential growth potential for New Zealand's fermentation sector. 'By integrating R&D and processing in one hub close to our largest export market, we can boost output, reduce lead times and increase demand for Kiwi-derived ingredients. 'It's about creating a transnational innovation ecosystem where New Zealand science drives offshore commercial outcomes, which then feed back into local jobs, R&D and raw material demand,' he says. Alpha Group has already attracted global attention for its patented fermentation method that grows Ganoderma Lingzhi mycelium. Used in traditional medicine for immunity, cardiovascular health and anti-inflammatory support, it now grows in under 10 days compared to the six-month growth cycle in the wild. Approved by New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority, the technology enables consistent bioactive yields at scale and is the first of its kind to be commercialised in this country. The innovation was developed six years ago by Professor Gao in collaboration with Callaghan Innovation and Massey University. It is seen as a flagship example of New Zealand's growing strength in natural health and functional food technology. Ganoderma Lingzhi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, but this lab-based approach opens the door to a new class of high-value, environmentally stable food and health exports. Professor Gao says the breakthrough represents a turning point in how New Zealand can grow and export natural therapeutics. 'Fermentation is one of the most exciting global food technologies today. It offers us a way to produce clean, bioactive-rich compounds from fungi and plants in a controlled environment free from soil, weather or climate volatility, or without requiring large tracts of land or disrupting native ecosystems.' 'Ganoderma Lingzhi is one of the most revered mushrooms in traditional Chinese medicine, used for thousands of years to support immunity, cardiovascular function and overall wellbeing. But growing it traditionally is slow, unpredictable and difficult to scale.' 'Our fermentation method not only replicates the active compounds found in the wild species, but it does so in days instead of months under precise conditions that ensure consistency, purity and potency.' 'What we have built with Lingzhi is a platform that can be adapted to other medicinal fungi, plants and marine compounds, and now not only can we unlock new export streams from organisms that are difficult or impossible to cultivate here, we can dramatically accelerate research into other plants and fungi that support human health. That opens the door to a whole new category of science-led exports for New Zealand,' he says.
The Spinoff
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
What went wrong with MethaneSat – and who should answer for it?
New Zealand's first publicly funded space mission has ended with a lost satellite and a debate about how we spend our money in space, writes Catherine McGregor in today's extract from The Bulletin. A sudden silence in orbit When MethaneSat lost contact last month, it marked an abrupt end to New Zealand's first publicly funded space mission – and a major setback for local climate science. The satellite, part of an international effort led by the US Environmental Defense Fund, was designed to 'name and shame' major methane polluters. As The Guardian's Veronika Meduna explains, MethaneSat's main focus was on detecting methane leaks from oil and gas production worldwide; the New Zealand-led side project tracked methane release from agriculture, which accounts for almost half of our greenhouse gas emissions. Meduna reports that in total New Zealand contributed NZ$32 million to the mission – $3m more than the figure widely quoted in last week's headlines. Apportioning blame The questions now are less about whether MethaneSat was a good idea and more about whether its problems should have been spotted sooner. Soon after launch, the satellite faced repeated technical issues, including difficulties with its thrusters and unexpected shutdowns caused by solar activity. Nicholas Rattenbury, Auckland University associate professor of physics, points out that 'the principle of caveat emptor is true for spacecraft as much as it is for purchasing a car'. While NZ was not involved in the design and testing, 'we were certainly entitled to relevant information to make a fully informed decision on whether or not to invest'. His colleague, astrophysicist Richard Easther, suggests NZ needs to shoulder some of the blame. Speaking to the Sunday Star Times' Jonathan Killick (paywalled), Easther argues local checks on the satellite's design and readiness were too light, especially given the 'major problems' that became clear long before contact was lost. All experts seem to agree that New Zealand may have relied too much on assurances from overseas partners instead of independent reviews. It's one of the main questions that the postmortem, when it comes, will have to answer. Space agency under scrutiny The MethaneSat failure has turned the spotlight on how New Zealand runs its space activities. The New Zealand Space Agency, formed in 2016 and now with Judith Collins as its minister, acts both as regulator and supporter of the sector. Simon Hunt, writing for BERL, describes it as a 'one-stop shop' for space policy and business support, noting its advantage in being 'not burdened down with outdated policies and processes'. But some researchers argue this dual role can be a conflict. As UoA's Priyanka Dhopade and Catherine Qualtrough write in The Conversation, the set-up of the agency risks 'a conflict of interest between promoting sustainability and fostering economic growth'. Sustainability in space is a growing international concern, Dhopade and Qualtrough write. As the amount of debris in space continues to skyrocket (sorry), scientists are also turning their attention to emerging issues like 'ozone depletion from rocket launches and the accumulation of alumina and soot particles in Earth's atmosphere as re-entering objects burn up'. The rise of Rocket Lab While MethaneSat drifts in silence, New Zealand's biggest space player is enjoying a record run. Rocket Lab – officially a US company – is now valued at over NZ$30 billion, with the share price hitting a record high of around US$38 (NZ$63). The Herald's Chris Keall reports (paywalled) that two factors are fuelling Rocket Lab's rise: fallout from SpaceX founder Elon Musk's feud with Donald Trump, and the upcoming first test launch of Rocket Lab's 'much larger, crew-capable rocket, the Neutron – which will put it toe to toe with SpaceX for the first time'. But the company's success has also attracted protest, reports The Spinoff's Gabi Lardies. Critics have accused Rocket Lab of enabling military surveillance, including through launches of BlackSky satellites allegedly used by Israel's defence forces. Last Friday Rocket Lab sites were picketed, while Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has referred CEO Peter Beck, Judith Collins and others to the office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Beck has dismissed the claims, insisting the company abides by New Zealand law and doesn't launch weapons. Still, the sight of picket lines outside a NZ success story is a reminder that space, like politics, is never free from earthbound controversies.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Scoop
Royal New Zealand Navy Frigate Visits Jakarta
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has arrived in Jakarta on a goodwill port visit – the first visit to Indonesia by a RNZN vessel since 2017. The two day visit forms part of HMNZS Te Kaha's role in supporting the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Indo-Pacific. The ship is berthed alongside Royal Navy and Spanish Navy vessels also visiting Jakarta during this period. Commodore Shane Arndell, the RNZN's Maritime Component Commander, who is in Jakarta to welcome Te Kaha to Indonesia's capital, will also take the opportunity to meet with senior leaders of the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), including the Republic of Indonesia Fleet Commander. 'This visit by Te Kaha reflects the importance of the defence relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia,' said Commodore Arndell. 'Ours is a shared commitment to regional maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and this is a welcome opportunity to continue our dialogue and cooperation with the Indonesian Navy.' While in Jakarta, sailors from HMNZS Te Kaha will take part in a programme of engagement with their Indonesian Navy counterparts, including sporting matches and a professional exchange briefing on the ship's recent deployment with the New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150. CTF150 is a multinational maritime security operation focused on denying funds to terrorist and criminal organisations through narcotics smuggling in the Middle East. Over the last six months, ships attached to CTF150 have seized over 7,000kg of narcotics worth $NZ1.8billion. Other activities being conducted during the visit include a courtesy call by HMNZS Te Kaha's Commanding Officer, Commander Fiona Jameson, on the local naval base commander, and an official ship reception co-hosted by Commodore Arndell and New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Phillip Taula. HMNZS Te Kaha's visit follows the RNZN's Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding's participation in the International Maritime Security in Bali earlier this year, and underscores New Zealand's ongoing commitment to maritime partnerships and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Scoop
New Zealand-Led Navies Conclude Counter Narcotics Operations In Middle East Waters
The New Zealand-led Combined Maritime Task Force 150 (CTF 150) has concluded counter narcotics operations in the Middle East. Over the six-month period of command from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Commodore Rodger Ward, ships operating in direct support to CTF 150 conducted 55 boardings. The boardings resulted in the seizure and destruction of 7 tonnes of narcotics with a combined street value of more than NZ$1.8 billion. CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East, in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations. The New Zealand-led team was supported by personnel from the militaries of Australia, Canada, India, Singapore and the United States, which contributed members to the headquarters. 'The strength of the CMF is the 46 nations working together with a common aim of enhancing and upholding the rules-based international system,' Commodore Ward said. 'In particular ensuring the freedom of the global maritime commons, the waters which allow our trade to flow safely from nation to nation. 'Our mission was anchored by four objectives: whakapono (trusted partners), mahi tahi (working together), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and he heremana tatou (we are sailors). We based all of our operations and activities on these and they ensured that we got the most out of this opportunity.' During the six-month period, CTF 150 conducted more boardings than over similar periods in previous years but found fewer drugs. 'The evidence of our success is not just the amount of drugs we interdicted,' Commodore Ward said. 'Our engagement with partners across the region indicates that the amount of narcotics we disrupted could be as much as three times that. CMF is focused on countering this illicit activity and the smugglers know that.' Commodore Ward said he was proud of what the 26-strong multinational staff were able to achieve. 'We can all go home happy with the fruits of our labours.' HMNZS Te Kaha was assigned to CTF 150 for a period of two months before leaving the region, and conducted a significant number of boardings during that time. The intelligence collected also resulted in the disruption of further smuggling operations.
South Wales Guardian
31-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Navy warship seizes £30m of drugs in Middle East
HMS Lancaster deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters which conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Lancaster's commanding officer, Commander Chris Chew, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
