New Grower Body Signals Growth Phase for NZ Medicinal Cannabis Industry

NZ Grow Co is designed to boost the cannabis industry's position as a high-value export sector.

It will provide an integrated model linking cultivation, processing, and export capability. It enables growers to participate in regulated international markets through a coordinated system, rather than operating as standalone producers.

Ora Pharm, the company behind NZ Grow Co, already has 30 cultivators.

Chief executive Zoe Reece says they are getting new enquiries every week.

"We have and will be expanding our satellite grower program where we get the licenses for the growers to help streamline the process for them," she told Rural News.

Reece believes that the sector is now moving beyond its early, fragmented phase.

"Regulatory clarity is critical to unlocking investment and participation. What we are seeing now is the opportunity to build a more coordinated, export-focused industry that delivers real economic value."

The new extraction facility in North Waikato is in the process of securing EU good manufacturing practice certification - positioning the business to meet the standards required in regulated export markets.

Reece said the focus must now shift from establishment to execution.

"New Zealand has strong fundamentals: trusted primary production, a reputation for quality, and a stable regulatory environment. The next step is building the infrastructure and systems that allow the sector to scale and compete internationally."

Reece says with the new extraction facility open, they will soon be able to offer "gate prices" to cultivators.

"This will take the uncertainty out of where the product can go. We also work closely with suppliers of the grow inputs to get discounts for the farmers to reduce the cost of growing. This adds up to high margins for the farmers."

Farmers can grow cannabis as a supplementary crop but not have stock among the crops.

"They would be able to grow cannabis in rotation with other crops, like over summer and then veggies over winter."

The new extraction facility, opened by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour this month, can process up to 400kg of flowers per day.

"We will be looking to process the majority of flower from this summer harvest and any that cultivators have from previous cycles too," says Reece.

Ora Pharm executive chair Stuart Wilcox believes New Zealand's opportunity lies in premium positioning.

"This is not a commodity play. With the right settings, New Zealand can build a high-quality, science-led export sector based on consistency, traceability, and compliance," says Wilcox.

Seymour says the medicinal cannabis sector has similar potential to the kiwifruit, honey and wine sectors.

"If you think about kiwifruit, about manuka honey, a couple of years ago, they were nothing.

"Now they're worth millions and I think the same opportunity exists here."