Navigating the rapids of agrifood systems transformation: reflections on Aotearoa New Zealand’s emerging mission-oriented agrifood innovation system

ABSTRACT In this paper, we discuss how agrifood systems transformation is addressed by the Aotearoa New Zealand agrifood innovation system, and to what extent it can be mission-oriented in view of emerging Agriculture 4.0 technologies. There are several initiatives that work on different transition pathways towards agrifood systems transformation, and hence there seems to be an emerging NZ mission-oriented AIS. New networks of actors are formed, also consisting of non-traditional players (e.g. AgTech) and incorporating Māori visions of transformed agrifood systems. Nonetheless, initiatives are sometimes still concerned with optimisation, whereas engaging with phase-out or exnovation of unsustainable food systems would also be needed. Hence, it seems that challenges such as fragmentation, lock-in of current systems and legacy policies, and limited attention to exnovation, are still standing in the way of enacting a truly mission-oriented NZ AIS. Enhancing coordination amongst these initiatives and clarifying how they envision and enact agrifood system transformation missions seem key to move forward.