About Otakaro Pathways

Otakaro Pathways is a New Zealand owned and operated business established in 2011 by three medical laboratory scientists, and is a practical way to capture expertise in specific fields of human illness. The founding directors have an intimate understanding of the complex technology developed for medical laboratories and the application of this technology to emerging diseases.

With their experience and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking style Otakaro Pathways are utilising novel science-based solutions to improve health and wellbeing within the human and agricultural sectors.

Current areas of research and development include:

  • Auto-immune disease diagnosis and treatment development – particularly focused on science relating to Crohn’s disease.
  • PSA infection identification and treatment in Kiwifruit
  • Animal TB testing


Our Vision


Our vision is to provide a pathway for those who seek to explore the use of novel technical solutions to solve emerging problems in human and agricultural arenas with the goal of realizing commercial value from the research. We have a strong focus on creating technology that impacts positively on human health.


Our Core Values


  • Commitment to win:win relationships with our partners and collaborators
  • Ensure scientific integrity supported by a culture of respect, trust, and loyalty
  • Hold an open minded approach to finding and developing solutions
  • Encourages innovation and celebrates success

The Team

Creative Team Behind Our Research

team member
John AitkenSenior Director

John is our lead microbiologist and the Senior Director of Otakaro Pathways. Prior to his current position, he has worked in medical microbiology for public and private providers for more than 40 years. In his free time John established a microbiological environmental testing laboratory. His particular areas of interest are antimicrobial resistance and emerging bacterial infectious diseases. The majority of his work involves an understanding of the underlying relationships between microorganisms, plants, and animals.

team member
Trevor EnglishScientific Consultant

Trevor has a broad experience in health management in both Australia and New Zealand. He works with a number of leading health organisations, both public and private. He also participates in a number of local and national projects in areas including pathology governance, informatics, infection management, leadership of lean process improvement and employment relations.

team member
Jane CollierFinance & Admin

Jane is our lead person on finance and administration. She has worked locally and in London, in big business and small. With vast experience and skills to draw on Jane is able to attend to the details (at one end of the spectrum) and (at the other end) maintain an overview; to enable the directors to keep the company moving closer to its goals.