Have your say: help shape our free IP in Agriculture Masterclass
Pearce IP’s life science and bioscience experts are preparing a free, live Masterclass exploring the IP issues shaping the future of agriculture and animal health.
Explore the issues below and vote for the topic you would most like us to cover — or send us your own questions and challenges.
New Zealand may be small in population, but its agricultural reach is anything but. For businesses producing, developing or commercialising the products and technologies behind global food production, getting intellectual property right is an increasingly important part of protecting commercial value.
A small country with a big role in feeding the world
With a population of around 5.3 million, New Zealand might seem an unlikely agricultural powerhouse. Yet its influence on global food production and trade extends far beyond its size, making the protection of the intellectual property behind its agricultural success increasingly important.
In the year to 30 June 2026, New Zealand’s food and fibre exports reached a record NZ$65.2 billion[1], an increase of 8% on the previous year. Dairy exports alone generated NZ$28.8 billion. These figures reflect an industry that is not simply producing food for domestic consumption, but supplying valuable products to markets around the world.
In the latest year, New Zealand was the world’s largest exporter of Concentrated Milk ($6.19B), Butter ($2.92B), Rough Wood ($1.84B), Casein ($860M), and Honey ($250M) among three other products.[2]
From milk, butter and meat to wine, honey and horticultural products, New Zealand has built an international reputation for agricultural production and export capability. Its farmers, growers, processors, researchers and agribusinesses operate within a global supply chain in which quality, productivity, reliability and commercial relationships matter.
And the story extends well beyond what leaves the farm gate.
The commercial opportunity extends around the world
Agriculture is a global business. Demand for food, animal products and beverages continues throughout the year, while growing conditions, harvests and supply cycles vary between regions.
New Zealand’s Southern Hemisphere location creates opportunities to serve international markets with different production seasons. Alongside Australia, it occupies a strategically valuable position in the global agricultural landscape, supplying products to customers whose domestic production cycles and seasonal availability may differ.
Its established export relationships are another important part of the picture. China, with its enormous population and demand for food products, is a particularly significant trading partner. New Zealand’s broader network of international markets also creates opportunities for businesses that can develop products, technologies and services suited to different agricultural systems and consumer needs.
Reference oec.world/en/profile/country/nzl
New Zealand’s distinctive commercial ecosystem
Trade is only one part of the advantage. New Zealand’s agricultural sector has developed a distinctive commercial ecosystem, bringing together farmer-owned cooperatives, specialist producers, research organisations, technology developers and internationally active businesses.
Examples include:
- Fonterra: Dairy production, processing and international exports.
- Zespri: Grower-owned kiwifruit marketing and global distribution.
- Silver Fern Farms: Farmer-owned red meat processing and exports.
- Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC): Dairy genetics, herd improvement and agricultural technology.
- Ravensdown: Fertiliser, nutrient management and agricultural services.
- Ballance Agri-Nutrients: Fertiliser and nutrient management solutions.
- Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company: Specialised dairy ingredients and products.
- Dairy Goat Co-operative: Goat milk products and specialised dairy nutrition.
Together, these businesses demonstrate how New Zealand’s agricultural sector can combine producer expertise, shared resources, specialist technology and international market access to compete globally. They also highlight the importance of getting intellectual property right. Whether businesses are collaborating on research, developing new plant varieties or animal genetics, sharing technology or commercialising products, clear agreements on IP ownership, protection and commercialisation are essential to safeguarding the value created through these partnerships.
The IP value behind the product
When we think about agricultural exports, it is easy to focus on the finished product: the milk, the meat, the honey or the wine. But the commercial value of modern agriculture often begins long before a product reaches the market.
Behind a successful agricultural product may be years of research, breeding, experimentation, investment and specialist knowledge. A new plant variety may offer improved yield, flavour, shelf life or disease resistance. A biotechnology development may improve crop protection or animal health. A new piece of agricultural technology may help producers monitor conditions, improve productivity or use resources more efficiently.
Then there are the brands that distinguish products in competitive international markets, the data that informs decisions, and the confidential know-how that gives a business an advantage over its competitors.
These assets can be just as commercially significant as the physical products themselves.
New Zealand’s plant breeding sector provides a tangible example. Plant variety rights can give breeders exclusive rights to commercialise qualifying new varieties, helping them recoup the investment involved in developing plants with desirable characteristics. The New Zealand Government identifies plant variety rights as an important mechanism for encouraging investment in breeding and supporting export value.
The principle extends across the agricultural sector: the more value a business creates through research, development, technology and distinctive products, the more important it becomes to understand how that value can be protected and commercialised.
Why intellectual property matters in New Zealand agriculture
For businesses operating in New Zealand agriculture — or considering entering the market — intellectual property should be part of the commercial strategy from the outset.
The right approach will depend on the asset, the business model and the markets involved. Patents, plant variety rights, trade marks, contractual arrangements and protection of confidential information each serve different purposes. An effective IP strategy considers how these protections work together.
Consider some of the questions that can arise:
- Plant varieties and breeding: Who owns a newly developed variety, and what protection is available in New Zealand and overseas?
- Patents and biotechnology: Could a new invention, process or technology qualify for patent protection, and where should protection be sought?
- Brands and trade marks: Is the name or logo that distinguishes an agricultural product protected in the markets where it will be sold?
- Research and collaboration: Who owns the resulting IP when a business works with a university, research organisation, grower, supplier or commercial partner?
- Data and confidential information: Who can access, use and commercialise valuable agricultural data, technical information and know-how?
- Licensing and market entry: What rights does a business need to commercialise technology, distribute products or collaborate with partners in New Zealand?
These are not simply legal questions. They can affect investment decisions, commercial negotiations, market access, licensing opportunities and the ability to expand internationally.
Protecting the value of New Zealand agriculture
New Zealand’s agricultural success has been built on more than favourable growing conditions and access to international markets. It also reflects the expertise of its farmers and growers, the strength of its commercial relationships, and continued investment in products, processes and technologies.
With food and fibre exports reaching record levels, the commercial stakes are substantial. The opportunity is not limited to established producers: it extends to agricultural technology developers, biotechnology businesses, researchers, investors, brand owners and international companies seeking to participate in New Zealand’s agricultural economy.
For these businesses, IP is not simply something to address when a dispute arises or a product is ready to launch. It is a consideration throughout the development and commercialisation process — from early research and collaboration through to branding, licensing and international expansion.
Understanding what you own, what you need to protect, and how you intend to commercialise it can make a meaningful difference to the value your business is able to create and retain.
Help shape the discussion
Pearce IP’s life sciences and biosciences experts are preparing a free, live IP in Agriculture Masterclass for businesses operating in Australia and New Zealand.
Which topic matters most to your business? Vote for your preferred topic or send us your questions and suggestions to help shape the Masterclass to info@pearceip.law.
[1] Source: Published 9 October 2026 New Zealand’s food and fibre exports reached NZ$65.2 billion in the year to June 2026 Back to text ↑
[2] Source: Historical Data 2022-2024 in USD New Zealand was the world’s largest exporter of Concentrated Milk, Butter ($2.89B), Rough Wood ($1.85B), Casein ($853M), and Honey Back to text ↑
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Paul Johns
Executive, Lawyer (Head of Litigation – New Zealand)
Paul is an intellectual property dispute resolution specialist with more than 24 years of experience across New Zealand and the UK. Paul is a seasoned lawyer, IP strategist, and Head of Pearce IP’s litigation team in New Zealand. Paul appears in cases before the New Zealand Court of Appeal and High Court of New Zealand, as well as the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office and IP Australia
Paul is experienced in managing contentious disputes regarding all types of intellectual property and related issues, including patents, copyright, trade marks, designs, confidential information and consumer law. With a background in molecular genetics, Paul has acted for clients across a vast range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, med-tech, food & beverage technologies, heavy vehicle engineering, fashion, hospitality, and entertainment. Paul is recommended for litigation in the IAM Patent 1000, rated for enforcement and litigation in the WTR1000, ranked for Intellectual Property Asia-Pacific in Chambers, and recognised for Intellectual Property and Litigation in Best Lawyers.
Naomi Pearce
CEO, Executive Lawyer (AU, NZ), Patent & Trade Mark Attorney (Trans Tasman)
Naomi is the CEO and Founder of Pearce IP, and is one of ANZ’s leading IP practitioners. Naomi is a market leading, strategic, commercially astute, patent lawyer, patent attorney and trade mark attorney, with over 29 years’ experience, and a background in molecular biology/biochemistry.
Ranked in virtually every notable legal directory, highly regarded by peers and clients, Naomi is renowned for her successful and elegant IP/legal strategies focussing on complex/multijurisdictional litigation, global FTO, and strategic advice. Among other awards, Naomi is the 2026 Lexology Client Choice Winner for Patents, the 2024 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law “Executive of the Year”, the 2023 Lawyers Weekly “IP Partner of the Year”, the 2022 Lexology Client Choice Winner for Life Sciences, the 2022 Asia Pacific Women in Business Law “Patent Lawyer of the Year”, and the 2021 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law “Partner of the Year”. Ranked in Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Global, IAM Patent 1000, IAM Strategy 300, is a MIP “Patent Star”, and is recognised as a WIPR Leader for patents and trade marks.
Pearce IP is the premier life sciences focussed firm in ANZ. Commencing in 2017. Pearce IP is the 2025 Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer 5-Star Employer of Choice & “Standout Winner” for Inclusion and Culture (<100 employees). In 2021, Pearce IP was the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards IP Team of the Year.
Sally Paterson
Executive, Lawyer (NZ), Patent & Trade Mark Attorney (AU, NZ)
Sally is a senior Trans-Tasman Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, and a New Zealand registered lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in IP. Sally’s particular expertise is in life sciences, drawing from her background in biological sciences. Sally is well respected in the New Zealand IP community for her broad ranging skills in all aspects of intellectual property advice, protection and enforcement. Sally has extensive experience securing registration for patents, designs and trade marks in New Zealand, Australia and internationally, providing strategic infringement, validity and enforceability opinions, acting in contentious disputes including matters before the courts of New Zealand and before IPONZ and IP Australia, and advising on copyright and consumer law matters.