ARL's Precision Agriculture Laboratory Takes Root in Rolleston
When Cyclone Gabrielle tore through Hawke's Bay in February 2023, Analytical Research Laboratory (ARL) lost more than a building. Every testing instrument was destroyed. Thousands of soil samples were swept away.
For a laboratory that had spent four decades building New Zealand's agricultural testing capacity, it was a total loss.
Eighteen months later, however, ARL has opened a new state-of-the-art soil testing facility in Rolleston—50% larger than what was lost in Hawke’s Bay, fully equipped with custom-built machinery and robotic automation, and positioned to double its testing capacity over the next five years.
The devastation of the Hawke's Bay lab hit the ARL team hard, but they’ve refused to let the disaster stop them. They were operational again within weeks of the disaster (working from a staff member's garage), before setting up temporary premises in Hastings.
When the time came to rebuild, ARL's owner Ravensdown made a strategic decision: relocate to Rolleston in the Selwyn District, positioning the lab right in the heart of New Zealand's most productive agricultural region and closer to key research partners.
"We chose Rolleston for its access to world-leading agricultural science and its connection to the country's agricultural engine," says Suzan Horst, ARL's General Manager. "The Selwyn region is a real agricultural hub.”
"Accurate, timely data is essential because it allows farmers to apply nutrients strategically, which increases crop production and pasture growth, as well as being good for the environment. This new lab positions us to meet the growing demands of modern farming and to help anyone who needs their soil or plants tested."
Seven staff members from the original Hawke's Bay team have relocated to Canterbury, bringing decades of accumulated expertise south while helping to build the foundation for future growth.
The Rolleston location delivers multiple advantages. The Selwyn District's strategic positioning—with direct access to State Highway 1, the junction of the South Island's two main rail lines, and proximity to Christchurch's airport and port—makes it an ideal hub for serving the agricultural sector nationwide.
Selwyn District is also one of New Zealand's most agriculturally productive regions, with a diverse rural economy spanning dairy, cropping, sheep and beef, horticulture and viticulture. Each farming type requires different testing protocols and timeframes—ARL’s new facility delivers the operational flexibility and technical precision needed for these diverse clients, and those across New Zealand.
The laboratory processes approximately 80,000 samples annually, conducting more than 500,000 individual tests across 50 different test types. Most demand centres on phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and magnesium measurements—the elements that determine how efficiently farmers can manage nutrients and maintain soil health.
The facility's expanded capacity and enhanced automation position ARL to double its soil and plant testing volume over the next five years—critical growth as demand for precision agriculture services increases across New Zealand's pastoral and cropping sectors.
Because New Zealand has relatively few dedicated soil and plant testing laboratories, much of ARL's equipment can't be purchased off the shelf. The team has developed approximately five custom-built instruments designed specifically for their testing requirements.
"We are probably the only really dedicated soil and plant lab in New Zealand," says Horst. "You can't buy some of the equipment you need off-the-shelf; it’s just not readily available. So we have about five custom-made instruments, developed and designed by us."
"I think that's impressive—that’s Kiwi innovation."
All of these specialised instruments were manufactured in New Zealand, as were the facility's robots—both the large industrial units and smaller automated systems that handle sample processing.
The robotic automation systems significantly increase processing capacity while maintaining the precision required for accredited testing. This combination of custom-designed equipment and automated systems positions the laboratory to meet growing demand while maintaining the rigorous standards.
The laboratory is IANZ-accredited and operates independently, serving not only Ravensdown's farmer-shareholders but any customer requiring soil, plant, crop or feed analysis.
"We can work with anybody who wants their soil or plants tested and to know more about how they need to fertilise," says Horst. "That independence is important—we're not just serving one group of farmers. We're here for independent agronomists, viticulturists, researchers, turf professionals, lifestyle block owners. That's what we do."
Results from the laboratory feed directly into precision agriculture platforms through digital APIs, making it easy to transform laboratory data into practical strategies farmers can use for fertiliser management and soil health monitoring.
Behind the robotic systems and custom-built instruments is a team of 30 staff holding more than 50 tertiary qualifications between them, including five PhDs. The workforce includes laboratory technicians, chemists, and specialists in various agricultural sciences, collectively speaking 14 languages.
"In a lab where you want to continuously improve, do things smarter, and think about new solutions, that diversity of thought is very important," says Horst. "We have people that are well trained, but I also like to have a diverse team because in the end, you get better results."
The development aligns with Selwyn District Council's Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy, which prioritises innovation, sustainability and long-term regional prosperity.
The laboratory adds to Canterbury's growing scientific and technical infrastructure, reinforcing the region's position as a hub for agricultural innovation while supporting one of New Zealand's most productive farming districts.
For ARL, the move from emergency response to expanded capacity represents more than recovery. With testing capacity set to double over the next five years, the Rolleston laboratory is positioned to strengthen both Selwyn's diverse farming economy and New Zealand's agricultural sector with the scientific infrastructure needed for efficient, environmentally sound farming practices—all built from the ground up after one of the country's most devastating natural disasters.