Resistant weeds are an urgent global challenge and a Trans-Tasman collaboration could initiate a solution

Map & Zap is an AI-driven weed identification and laser-zapping technology that minimises the need for chemical herbicides. Think of it like ‘see and spray’ technology, but using lasers instead of the spray. And, without the off-target damage to surrounding crop or pasture because what is more focused than laser-focused? 

When I first conceived the idea in New Zealand in 2016, I thought of using drones equipped with lasers. It proved a bit too sci-fi. But conversations with leading laser scientists at the time gave me hope that controlling weeds with lasers would work – I just needed to bring it back down to earth a bit. 

Eight years down the track, what started as 'blue sky' thinking funded by the New Zealand government's Smart Ideas program has evolved into a prototype solution with proven capability to identify and destroy weeds across a range of agricultural enterprise types.  

Targeted weed control isn’t new – plenty of players offer precision technologies, and I respect every company that is helping farmers become more sustainable. But farmers are asking for new technologies that break their reliance on chemical controls.  

One farmer, an elderly gentleman in South Australia, is firmly in my mind. As we stood talking in his orchard, he began chipping away at thistles with the heel of his boot. “This is the only way I can get rid of them. They keep coming back, no matter how much spray I use.” He was desperate. “Give me a solution that means they don’t come back.”

That’s my aim with Map & Zap. And because it targets small, early germinating weeds – diluting the seed bank and preventing widespread infestations – it offers a new tech pathway that, over time, can reduce our need to reach for the spray.  

We want every farmer to be able to access this breakthrough technology, so cost-effectiveness has been a key design consideration for our engineering team. We’ve designed the Map & Zap unit to be retrofitted to an existing tractor or robot to fit into the food production system it is operating in, such as a vineyard, an orchard, or a vegetable farm.  

I’ve got over 20 years’ experience as a plant scientist, and I like to think big about where and how we can apply this breakthrough technology. But I have also got experience in business, so I know how important it is that we focus on one use case and prove ourselves before we push further.   

Passionate problem solvers, our New Zealand-based team started at the top in terms of complexity: weeds in pasture. If you go to a typical pasture field in New Zealand, you’ll see ryegrass and white clover – two plants you don’t want to kill – plus four weeds that you do.  

And some of those weeds are grasses, which are kind of ryegrass lookalikes.

 That was the most complex use case we could think of to train our AI to distinguish weeds from desirable plants, and then test the technology’s ability to destroy the right ones. So, we chose to start there. Because if we can handle pasture, then everything else would be, not exactly a piece of cake, but much simpler.

 We’ve since also trialled the technology in vineyards (one of New Zealand’s high end use cases) and the results, and industry feedback, has been overwhelmingly positive.  
Horticulture, timber plantations and broadacre crops are also agricultural set ups that can be added to the list, if need be. 

Herbicide resistant weeds have been reported in around 100 crops in more than 70 countries, so the potential for Map & Zap is truly global. But I’ve got my eyes on Australia at the moment.  

I’ve been an Australian citizen for 20 years, more recently gaining my NZ citizenship, too. In that time, I’ve grown a deep appreciation for the unique innovation qualities of my two acquired homelands and for trans-Tasman collaboration to drive faster impact.  

Small though it may be, New Zealand's collaborative agtech ecosystem excels in fostering and championing talent. My experience in assembling a multidisciplinary team at Map & Zap – including laser scientists, integration experts, and mechatronics specialists (all but one of whom are in NZ itself) – demonstrates how small, interconnected communities can accelerate innovation and impact.  
But there’s no avoiding the fact that the same small stature has an impact on market potential. As a startup, that means our ability to scale. Eventually, it necessitates expansion into bigger markets to sustain a growth trajectory – and for Map & Zap, Australia is the perfect place to be next.  

Geographic proximity, a much bigger market, with a greater diversity in climatic zones, industries, and production systems – Australia can act as both a testbed for innovators to hone their emerging technology, and a significant and diverse customer base upon whom to market it.

For us, Australia is very attractive. And it's a very good next step before we tackle the rest of the world.  

We’ve had strong support from both Australia and New Zealand in the early development of our technology. Over 50 partners have been involved, from farmers and producer groups to the NZ government’s Callaghan Innovation, and a few names you’ll know in Australian agrifood research, too – Hort Innovation, Meat & Livestock Australia, and AgriFutures Australia. 

But across the agtech ecosystem more broadly, there are untapped opportunities for real trans-Tasman collaboration to allow both countries to leverage their strengths and address shared challenges more effectively.  

So, I am delighted to see grow^AG. has opened its doors in New Zealand.  

I first encountered the AgriFutures grow^AG. team a few years back at AgriFutures evoke^AG.. They said, “We can list your commercial opportunity on the grow^AG. platform; we can promote your work via our media channels; and we can assist with connecting you to people who can help you meet your goals.”  

And they have. Just recently, they connected us with people in the US who we might never have found without the exposure grow^AG. provides. They’re not just an intermediary, they’re collaborators towards our success. And as we look for investment, we’ll keep looking to grow^AG. for support to expand our network and potential impact. 

My journey from a Star Wars-inspired vision to a field-tested technology is proof that trans-Tasman partnerships can bring innovation to life. 

The cliffhanger will be in getting the product to market – and in the hands of farmers across both sides of the ditch.