Auckland, New Zealand-based seaweed firm Greenwave Aotearoa, along with local fisherman Zane Smith, has launched a seaweed farm on the New Zealand island of Rakiura that utilizes a modular cultivation system developed by Norwegian seaweed firm Arctic Seaweed.
"The farm demonstrates how strategic investment can support Māori enterprise, innovation, and sustainable economic development," Smith said.
The farm is regenerative, meaning it requires little to no input once set up.
“For us, this represents years of work across the entire supply chain from eco-sourcing native seaweed and hatchery spore induction through to farm cultivation, product innovation, and now the capability to deploy Arctic Seaweed farm systems throughout Oceania,” Greenwave Aotearoa said. “It also reflects the strength of international collaboration. This milestone has only been possible through an extraordinary group of partners who have shared expertise, funding, engineering capability and belief in what New Zealand's native seaweed sector can become.”
Other participants on the project included Marine Services, which designed the screw and anchor system, the Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Development Fund, New Zealand House of Representatives Member Hon Tama Potaka, government agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), New Zealand government agency Great South, and environmental consultant agency Te Ao Mārama. Greenwave U.S. also contributed to the project.
"Greenwave Aotearoa is dedicated to advancing regenerative ocean farming," the company said. "By combining traditional knowledge with innovative marine science, Greenwave Aotearoa provides regeneratively farmed seaweed for gut health, skincare, and innovative products while enabling seaweed farming to strengthen New Zealand ecosystems, promote sustainable livelihoods, and support climate resilience."
Greenwave Aotearoa is supported by the Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Development Fund, which helps build technical capacity, business knowledge, and infrastructure to cultivate native seaweed. The company added that this production allows for the utilization of Māori-owned marine assets.
