Agribusiness
Why study Agribusiness?
Studying Agribusiness at Waikato University puts you right on the doorstep of New Zealand's rural heartland, close to leading export firms such as Fonterra, Gallagher, Zespri, Comvita, and DairyNZ.
Agribusiness is New Zealand's largest export industry, generating $50 billion in revenue a year. In fact 13% of our global workforce is connected with the food and fibre sector - from beef and dairy through to apples, wine, wool and mānuka honey.
These numbers are driving high demand for agribusiness graduates with good business and economics skills to solve the challenges facing food producers today.
This subject has been developed in consultation with industry leaders to emphasise the business side of agriculture, so you'll be well equpiped to help farmers gain a competitive advantage in global markets.
You will gain a solid grounding in economic analysis, rural finance and banking, strategy, as well as learning about global supply chains from paddock to plate, environmental and sustainability issues, and the latest smart technologies being used in agriculture.
Papers will also cover topics such as international marketing and sales, and how sustainable farming practices can be used to reduce operating costs and gain a competitive advantage.
Tupu Rangatahi - Tupu Ahuwhenua, the Maori Agribusiness programme
Launching in 2025 the Tupu Rangatahi - Tupu Ahuwhenua, Māori Agribusiness programme paves the way for people who can support Māori to meet current and future aspirations for the whenua.
Career Opportunities
- Agri-consultant
- Agri-technician
- Agri-food business advisor
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Dairy business manager
- Economist
- Environmental Consultant
- Farm manager
- Policy advisor / analyst (eg.government)
- Rural banking adviser
- Sustainability advisor
Hamilton
Qualifications offered
Agribusiness can normally be taken as either a Major subject (8-9 papers) or Minor subject (4 papers) for any undergraduate degree offered at the University of Waikato, including our Bachelor of Business. Otherwise, you can take just one or two Agribusiness papers as electives.
Find out more about the new Tupu Rangatahi - Tupu Ahuwhenua, Māori Agribusiness Programme available in 2025 for students who are of Māori descent, and/or can demonstrate involvement in and commitment to the Māori community.
If you'd like to gain advanced expertise through postgraduate research, look at our Master of Business in Agribusiness. We also offer a Postgraduate Certificate (60 points) and a Postgraduate Diploma (120 points) in Agribusiness.
If you have never studied this subject before, starting from July 2025 we offer a new 12-month Master of Management (180 points) specialising in Agribusiness.
For a quicker option, there is also the choice of a Postgraduate Certificate in Management (60 points) specialising in Agribusiness, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (120 points) specialising in Agribusiness.
You can also take Agribusiness for a Graduate Certificate (60 points) or Graduate Diploma (120 points).
Agribusiness papers
Subject regulations
Internationally recognised
You'll study at our internationally recognised Waikato Management School, which is in the top 1% of business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB.
Waikato is also ranked in the world's top 175 universities for Business & Economics in the globally recognised Times Higher Education Rankings.
Scholarships
View our Scholarships Finder for information about possible scholarships.