This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Industrial Hemp Innovation, Bioeconomy, and Interagency Oversight (2020–2025)'.

30 September 2025
Ref: DOIA-REQ-0020484-Spencer Jones
Spencer Jones
Email: [FYI request #32199 email]
Tēnā koe Spencer 
Thank you for your email of 2 September 2025 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
Under the OIA, I request the following information from 1 January 2020 to 2 September 2025:
Bioeconomy/Innovation Role
Documents or reports identifying iHemp in MBIE’s bioeconomy or innovation frameworks (e.g., 2023 
bioeconomy report, circular economy initiatives).
Funding/Contracts
Records of MBIE-administered funding, pilot programs, or partnerships involving iHemp (e.g., Callaghan 
Innovation projects).
Interagency Communications
All communications with MoH, MPI, MfE about hemp regulation, duplication, or efficiency reforms.
Policy/Efficiency Reviews
Any reviews or papers assessing inefficiencies or overlaps in iHemp regulation.
Please confirm which teams/databases were searched, and which keywords used.
In relation to item one, MBIE was responsible for the Circular and Bioeconomy Research Programme. 
Industrial hemp was only mentioned in one of the research reports carried out by Coriolis in June 2023. 
You can access the report here: (https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/finding-the-way.pdf). 
In relation to item two, under the 2019 He Tupu Ōhanga: Commercial Advisors Scheme of Te Pūnaha 
Hiringa: Māori Innovation Fund, one project was funded to further exploring diversification options 
involving industrial hemp. The Fund itself was intended for commercial advice and feasibility analysis, not 
for hemp-specific activity. MBIE does not operate a dedicated industrial hemp programme and does not 
administer hemp-specific contracts.
Additionally, under the 2023 Endeavour Fund – Smart Ideas investment round, one project that 
referenced the use of hemp fibre was funded. You can access the announcement regarding the University 
of Waikato’s funded project here:  (University of Waikato Smart Ideas funded projects | Ministry of 
Business, Innovation & Employment).


Information about Callaghan Innovation grant recipients that reference industrial hemp is available here: 
(Grant recipients | Callaghan Innovation).
Regarding interagency communications and the policy/efficiency review, aside from the two papers 
previously released to you, there are no other papers that are in scope of your requests. 
MBIE has consulted with relevant internal teams, including Building, Resources and Markets; Kānoa – 
Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit; and Labour, Science and Enterprise. MBIE has also 
consulted with the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Health regarding any material they 
may hold that falls within the scope of your request.
MBIE conducted a keyword-based search using the terms “iHemp”, “industrial hemp”, and “hemp” across 
the period 2020–2025. This search returned over one thousand results. To ensure relevance, we filtered 
by document types to PDF, Word and Outlook; which narrowed to approximately 469 results. While it 
was administratively challenging to review every document in full, we conducted a title review and spot-
checked content to identify material of potential relevance. 
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance, 
please contact [email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information 
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Nerissa Smith
Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary
Labour, Science and Enterprise, MBIE