For most of us, seaweed might conjure images of kelp-strewn beaches or exotic sushi wraps. But for AgriSea, founded in Paeroa 28 years ago, it’s the key to reinventing farming for the next generation. Led by husband-and-wife team Clare Bradley and Tane Bradley, this family-run enterprise has evolved from a humble fermentation process into a global pioneer—unlocking seaweed’s potential for everything from bio-stimulants to high-tech electronics components.
“We don’t just see seaweed as an ocean resource,” Clare says. “We see 32 million years of Mother Nature’s R&D—just waiting to transform how the world grows food.”
From a Coastal Origin to a Family Affair
AgriSea’s roots reach back to Tane’s mother, Jill, and his stepfather, Keith, who traded in safe government jobs for a leap into seaweed fermentation. Armed with curiosity and a makeshift lab, they discovered that fresh New Zealand seaweed—when carefully brewed—could nourish farm soils, boost plant health, and reduce chemical inputs.
Clare and Tane stepped in a decade ago, inheriting not just a business but a deeply held family mission: championing a new wave of regenerative agriculture. When asked how they juggle work, marriage, and raising children, Tane smiles:
“We make decisions together. We joke that if we can’t resolve it, we settle it on the ping-pong table.”
Despite the lighthearted veneer, their vision is bold—reshaping how we feed ourselves without degrading the very landscapes we rely on.
Bio-Stimulants: A New Category in Agri-Tech
At its heart, AgriSea creates bio-stimulants from fermented seaweed. Unlike traditional chemical fertilisers, these products enrich soil biology, improve plant and animal health, and help farmers lower their environmental footprint. The goal? Sustainably high yields, better profitability, and a lighter touch on ecosystems.
“Agriculture doesn’t have to be extractive,” Clare explains. “If we get it right, farming can be net positive for our environment—and our bottom lines.”
As conventional producers grapple with consumer demands for chemical-free, low-residue options, bio-stimulants provide a regenerative lifeline. AgriSea’s approach, refined over decades, has found success in New Zealand and abroad—feeding soils, pastures, and livestock. But that’s just the beginning.
The World’s First Nano-Cellulose Bio-Refinery
Having seaweed on hand isn’t enough if wild resources are limited—or too precious to over-harvest. Rather than chase endless supply, AgriSea invests in high-value outputs. Their biggest leap? Building the world’s first seaweed nano-cellulose bio-refinery in Paeroa. Nano-cellulose, extracted from seaweed remnants, has staggering potential: from electronics and batteries to wound dressings and advanced medical products.
“We can’t just rely on volume,” Clare says. “So we focus on value. Extract the best from every shred of seaweed, and reduce waste to zero.”
Partnering with Scion and other R&D heavyweights, AgriSea is on the cusp of engineering advanced materials previously found only in futuristic labs. That includes hydro-gels, plastics replacements, and medical-grade solutions—all rooted in a resource that needs no fresh water, fertiliser, or land to grow.
A Rebel Spirit for Global Change
Clare calls it a “wave that’s been coming for 20 years.” Early on, few recognised seaweed’s potential as an advanced manufacturing input—or a regenerative powerhouse on farms. Yet, in line with Kiwi ingenuity, AgriSea persisted, building a business that feels as much like a community as an enterprise. Workers, ex-staff, and multi-generational family members come and go, but all stay connected to what Tane jokingly calls “the seaweed mafia.”
“When you’re driven by values, every decision is bigger than just profit,” Tane says. “We see ourselves as guardians of this resource, delivering real benefits to farmers and the environment.”
Already, AgriSea exports its fermented seaweed products to Australia and works with regenerative ocean farmers in the U.S. They license IP, technology, and know-how—integrating local seaweed harvests into an ever-expanding market for next-gen agri-tech solutions.
Going Beyond the Farm Gate
The seaweed synergy doesn’t stop at farmland. AgriSea is also behind Rēhua te Repo—a five-year research project redefining soil as a living entity. By partnering with everyday farmers, they’re introducing small, non-intrusive shifts to conventional systems. The result? Less runoff, healthier pastures, and a revitalised sense of community care.
“Farmers are motivated when they see results,” Tane notes. “But it’s just as important that they feel part of the solution, not being told what to do.”
Meanwhile, the social science angle offers insight into those “lightbulb moments,” highlighting where meaningful transformation truly begins. It’s all part of AgriSea’s approach—merging hard science, human connection, and the mystique of seaweed in a single, values-driven enterprise.
A Focus on Manufacturing—Precision Fermentation and Beyond
AgriSea’s fermentation process underpins everything they do. In their Paeroa-based facility, fresh seaweed is meticulously prepared to extract its bioactive nutrients. Unlike mass-production lines that chase high volume, AgriSea’s approach is small-batch and highly specialised—more akin to a craft distillery than a typical factory.
“We’re refining our processes continuously,” Clare says. “Our manufacturing line may be small, but it’s where we innovate—finding new ways to preserve the seaweed’s natural goodness while scaling up our ability to create higher-value products.”
From biostimulants to nano-cellulose, each product emerges from this precision fermentation operation. By adapting equipment to the unique properties of seaweed, AgriSea creates unconventional manufacturing workflows—a testament to Kiwi ingenuity under constraint.
“It’s not ‘produce as much as possible,’” Tane adds. “It’s ‘create maximum value from every kilogram of seaweed.’ That’s why our manufacturing is so important to our success—and to the environment.”
New Zealand’s Future: Small Yet Mighty
For Clare and Tane, the choice to remain small, collaborative, and family-centric is a superpower. Instead of mass production, they focus on high-value extraction and inventive R&D. Just as important is collaboration with unexpected allies—from bio-chemists to overseas seaweed farmers—magnifying impact far beyond Paeroa.
“We can’t outspend bigger nations,” Clare says, “so we outthink them. We let Kiwi ingenuity shine—fusing local, low-tech strengths with leading-edge science.”
By threading advanced manufacturing into this seaweed ecosystem, AgriSea is making regenerative agriculture not just an ideal but a tangible reality. In a world hungry for sustainable alternatives—be it for farm inputs or advanced materials—AgriSea’s brand of ocean-based innovation truly embodies the Future Makers ethos: do good, do it creatively, and do it at a scale that matters.
