What partnering with the University of Waikato looks like in practice

Hamilton software company Company-X is working with the University of Waikato AI Institute and School of Computing to build AI-powered tools for transport and infrastructure asset management.

University of Waikato engineers developed a prototype blueberry harvester for BerryCo, addressing a labour cost challenge that has increased 45% over six years. The machine was field-trialled at Fieldays 2024.

A $11.4m Endeavour Fund grant is funding University of Waikato research into seaweed-derived alternatives to synthetic crop protection products — with Zespri as an industry partner exploring applications across New Zealand’s primary sector.

100 seapod artificial reef units are now installed in Tauranga Harbour as part of a living seawall initiative. University of Waikato and Toi Ohomai researchers are monitoring the results — with early data showing significantly higher marine life in seapods than on traditional seawall.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, University of Waikato researchers worked with industry partners to deploy Peara artificial reef systems in Tauranga Harbour — regenerative structures designed to restore marine biodiversity and informed by mātauranga Māori.

An MoU with Paeroa-based AgriSea is supporting joint research into sustainable aquaculture and native seaweed product development, building on AgriSea’s 30 years of seaweed commercialisation experience.

University of Waikato researchers worked with Tauranga City Council to co-design smart city technology with residents — producing research recognised at the ACM OzCHI 2025 international conference.

Short supporting explanation.An MoU between the University of Waikato and Spark Health is exploring the future of health workforce development and health technology adoption in New Zealand.

University of Waikato researcher Rebekah Crosswell partnered with Ngā Miro Community Health in Ngāruawāhia to create community-led resources for Māori living with diabetes — addressing a condition Māori are 3.5 times more likely to develop into kidney disease.