Mike Casey

Mike Casey is CEO of NZ Zero and a passionate food producer and entrepreneur who has made it his mission to help decarbonise Aotearoa's food system. As the owner and operator of Forest Lodge Orchard, Mike has achieved what he believes to be a world first by completely eliminating fossil fuels from his farming operations using 100% electric power to produce food.

Mike has dedicated his life's work to promoting sustainable agriculture and sharing his experiences with others. He leads growing operations and conversions at his orchard and is committed to demonstrating the success of electrified farming to his industry peers. He’s always happy to open his doors and run demonstration days to show the potential and viability of fossil fuel-free produce.

Beyond his farming expertise, Mike has a wealth of business knowledge, having completed a certificate in company direction and having extensive start-up experience. He was a Director and Founder of GradConnection, which was acquired by SEEK in 2019, and is a regular investor in New Zealand and Australian startups that focus on climate and emissions reduction technology.

Mike's transparency and commitment to sharing his knowledge and experiences are evident in all that he does. He is happy to share the facts, figures, and stories around his journey to completely eliminate oil from his business, including the operational savings, carbon savings, and the future of food electrification. Now, as CEO of start-up NZ Zero, he’s helping other food producers join the sustainability highway.