26 March 2026
What to expect at New Zealand’s first Cleantech Expo
From companies pioneering rapid, on-site biological water testing for E.coli to those making mushrooms into protective packaging, the first Cleantech Expo in central Auckland on 22 April will bring together 30 New Zealand cleantech innovation businesses.
As well as solving real-world problems, cleantech is now the fastest-growing investment sector. It’s rapidly shifting from an emerging interest to a central focus of New Zealand’s tech investment landscape.
The Cleantech Expo is a free event designed for industry adopters, investors and procurement teams keen to explore cleantech opportunities and practical, scalable technologies to tackle challenges. Science and engineering students are also invited to meet exhibitors and discover the wide range of career pathways available in this rapidly expanding field.
Organised by Auckland Council’s Economic Development Office, hosted by AUT and supported by the New Zealand Cleantech Mission, the Cleantech Expo will showcase cleantech businesses with products and solutions ready to use now, with opportunities for growth.
“We’re looking forward to bringing together a vibrant community of New Zealand innovators in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the first time to showcase breakthrough solutions in circular economy, energy, waste-to-value, and low-emission alternatives. The Cleantech Expo brings together problem-solving innovations, offering future-fit procurement and investment opportunities,” says Pam Ford, General Manager of the Economic Development Office.
Maile Giffin, Growth Programme Specialist at Auckland Council, says the need for clean, scalable, and sustainable technologies has never been more urgent. “Around the globe, societies depend on systems that power our homes, move our goods, manage our waste, and grow our food. Yet many of these legacy systems come with environmental costs we can no longer afford. Across New Zealand, innovators are rising to this challenge, developing transformative solutions with the potential to reshape industries at home and make a significant impact worldwide. New Zealand is positioned not just as a fast adopter, but as a world-class creator of technologies essential to a sustainable future,” Giffin says.
New Zealand’s cleantech sector is now made up of more than 100 companies. Between 2022 and 2024, the sector generated just under $300 million in revenue. It is a fast-growing ecosystem of researchers and entrepreneurs, with more than 1000 people employed in the sector. New Zealand companies are showing themselves to be global problem-solvers working at the frontier of advanced sustainable technologies.
Alongside Bactosure and Mushroom Material, businesses showcasing their innovative solutions at Cleantech Expo on 22 April include:
Alimentary Systems gives councils a practical alternative for keeping sewage out of oceans and organic waste out of landfills. Alimentary Systems turns waste into energy and green fertiliser while meeting Taumata Arowai standards, lowering costs and fulfilling Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Alimentary Systems offers AI-modelled return-on-investment data, so councils can assess the business case before they commit.
EDL solves complex environmental and hazardous waste challenges through its patented mechanochemistry technology. Originally developed in New Zealand for pesticide-impacted soils, the technology has evolved into a scalable solution for destroying persistent contaminants and processing difficult waste materials. Working with industry and government partners globally, EDL delivers innovative solutions for hazardous material treatment while creating opportunities to recover value from problematic waste streams.
UsedFULLY turns textile waste into high-performance industrial additives through breakthrough clean technology. The business radically reduces carbon emissions and waste by displacing high carbon virgin materials with low-carbon recycled additives that do the job better. The business helps infrastructure and construction customers meet decarbonisation and performance requirements and addresses two critical global challenges: managing the immense supply of textile waste and the need to rapidly decarbonise industries.
Cleantech Expo is free to attend – click here to register.