NZ Cuts Drone Red Tape for Farmers — Aviation Pushes Back
The agricultural aviation industry has reacted angrily to government plans to cut regulations to make it easier for farmers to buy drones and use them on their farms.
As someone working in agri-tech, I've seen firsthand how powerful these tools can be.
I'm a senior digital product lead, helping to design and deliver technology that supports smarter, more sustainable decision-making on farm. But I didn't grow up on a farm. I don't come from a traditional agricultural background.
And I'm a woman - working in an industry that, like much of tech and agriculture, is still dominated by men.
That's starting to change, but not quickly enough.
Both tech and agriculture face persistent diversity challenges. Women remain under-represented, particularly in senior or technical roles. And in agri-tech, where those two worlds collide, the gap can be even more pronounced. We need to rewrite the narrative.
Agri-tech isn't just about engineering or agronomy. It's about solving real-world problems; understanding the pressures farmers face and designing solutions that fit into their everyday lives. It's about bridging technology with empathy - and that's something women often excel at.
In my experience, women tend to bring a strong sense of emotional intelligence into their work. They listen closely, think about how customers actually use products, and design with purpose. That customer-first mindset is invaluable in an industry where trust and usability are everything.
We also need to remember that contribution to agriculture doesn't have to begin on the land. You can make a meaningful impact in this industry whether you're a software developer, UX designer, environmental scientist, behavioural psychologist or strategist. Diverse skills are essential.
My own journey into the sector wasn't typical, and I think that's been an asset. It helped me, ask different questions, empathise with a range of perspectives, and it's shown me that non-traditional paths often lead to the most interesting careers.
I'm lucky to work at a company that sees the value in different perspectives and backgrounds. Ballance Agri-Nutrients has made real progress in opening doors for people from all walks of life - not just in tech, but across the entire business. It's something I see in action every day, and I'm proud to be part of that shift.
But, as a sector, we still have work to do. Bringing more women into agri-tech isn't just about getting people in the door; it's about ensuring they're heard, supported, and given opportunities to lead. That means challenging assumptions - about what a "good hire" looks like, what kind of experience matters, and who gets to shape the future of farming.
It also means telling more stories: Stories of women thriving in agri-tech. Stories of innovation, impact, and leadership that look different from the status quo.
I'm optimistic though. I've seen encouraging signs across the sector: businesses investing in inclusive hiring, leaders actively mentoring women, teams recognising the value of diversity not as a tick-box exercise, but as a competitive advantage.
If we want to build an agri-tech industry that truly reflects the world it serves, we need a wider range of voices at the table. We need to make space for those who've never considered agriculture a natural fit, and we need to back them when they arrive.
Innovation doesn't come from doing what we've always done, it comes from new perspectives, new questions, and new approaches. And I believe more women in agri-tech means a better, stronger future - for farmers and growers, for our land, and for the industry as a whole.
Danusia Bathgate is senior digital product lead at Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
