About Chill Division
Who are we, and what is our industry experience?
We're here for the growers and patients, not just the bottom line.
Josiah started Chill Division in 2022 after successfully launching his first cannabis company. We're passionate about building a cultivator-centric and patient-focused cannabis industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our goal? To help small, independent growers thrive so they can provide Kiwi patients with the freshest, highest-quality flower possible.
Josiah started Chill Division in 2022 after successfully launching his first cannabis company. We're passionate about building a cultivator-centric and patient-focused cannabis industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our goal? To help small, independent growers thrive so they can provide Kiwi patients with the freshest, highest-quality flower possible.
In December 2025 we proved it can be done. Our first flower product was verified under the NZ Medicinal
Cannabis Minimum Quality Standard, the first from a cultivator that isn't vertically integrated, and it
never left the country: grown at Pause Labs, hand-trimmed and slow-cured at a GMP facility, never
irradiated, and dispatched from our own licensed Supply site.
Since the hemp law change in May 2026 we've also been sending out CoA-backed hemp cuttings, so people can get hands-on experience cultivating before they commit to a licence.
Since the hemp law change in May 2026 we've also been sending out CoA-backed hemp cuttings, so people can get hands-on experience cultivating before they commit to a licence.
It's a big dream, but we're making it happen!
How? By sharing knowledge and resources with everyone. We provide information to empower patients and offer tips and tricks to help growers achieve amazing results with high potency and heavy yields.We're not about gatekeeping knowledge or hoarding "IP" secrets. We want to see a thriving network of
growers across the country, all equipped to provide top-quality flower to their local
communities.
We believe in using data to make smart decisions that benefit everyone. More licensed growers mean more options for patients, and empowered patients mean better health outcomes!
We believe in using data to make smart decisions that benefit everyone. More licensed growers mean more options for patients, and empowered patients mean better health outcomes!
Why choose Chill Division?
Because we're not just consultants, we're growers with a proven track record of success. We consistently achieve some of the highest THC levels in the country (over 25%!), while the national average is just mid-teens. Don't just take our word for it; we've got the data to back it up!We're also the only licensing consultants in the country with a finished flower product that has been through NZMQS verification. Our SOPs aren't theory: we follow them ourselves, and they work. In 2025 we were involved in more than half of all new cultivation licences issued, and in 2026 three of those growers have begun taking their own flower through verification along the same pathway.
Forget stuffy consultants in a suit who never touch the garden! And steer clear of those 'experts' with
nothing but tall tales to share. We're different. We've got the real-world experience and in-depth
knowledge to help you navigate the complexities of cannabis cultivation and the medicinal cannabis
regulations. We'll help you avoid unnecessary paperwork and compliance headaches, so you can focus on
growing amazing plants.
We're pioneers in regulatory compliance, publishing the first open-source growers toolkit to assist with
regulatory compliance for plant/flower tracking (GRACe portal), absolutely
free, and now used by around half of New Zealand's licensed cultivators. Over two-thirds of licensed
facilities run the Home Assistant automation system we first brought into medicinal cannabis in 2021,
alongside our open-source dosing, lighting and sensor hardware. You'll find us listed on the Medsafe website, having
been providing constructive feedback to the regulatory body since January 2023. Our deep knowledge and
commitment to advocacy means we can guide you through the complexities of cannabis compliance, especially
those tricky advertising rules.
In 2026 we were a finalist in two categories at the Cannabiz Awards: Best Use of Technology, and Start-up / Launch of the Year.
One more thing worth saying plainly: we recommend what we use, and use what we recommend. We don't take kickbacks, and we buy our own gear, so if something is in our SOPs it's because it works, not because somebody paid for it to be there.
Here's a glimpse of our journey so far:
In 2026 we were a finalist in two categories at the Cannabiz Awards: Best Use of Technology, and Start-up / Launch of the Year.
One more thing worth saying plainly: we recommend what we use, and use what we recommend. We don't take kickbacks, and we buy our own gear, so if something is in our SOPs it's because it works, not because somebody paid for it to be there.
Timeline:
Our journey began in November 2020 with a single seed, planted, admittedly, in a not-so-legal way. But after a motorbike accident in 2021, Josiah had a realization: this was his calling.Here's a glimpse of our journey so far:
- 2020 Nov: First illicit genetics planted
- 2021 Apr: Motorbike accident that began the change of career
- 2021 Aug: First genetics declared and provided to licensed cultivation company
- 2021 Oct: Began full-time on startup of Skyman Industries. Authored SOPs, designed and built facility, security, automation and irrigation systems
- 2022 Mar: Requested advertising regulation clarification from MCA, told "It's coming shortly..."
- 2022 Apr: License acquired for cultivation at Skyman Industries, primary cultivator role
- 2022 Dec: Formed Chill Division and Pause Labs after leaving Skyman Industries
- 2023 Jan: Regulatory feedback requested from MCA, provided in response to proposed changes
- 2023 Mar: Presented "How to survive Medicinal Cannabis in NZ" guide for cultivators, published on YouTube
- 2023 Apr: Became a member of the Medicinal Cannabis Council
- 2023 May: Ran a billboard advertising medicinal cannabis
- 2023 Jun: Published Treatment of Cannabis to meet NZ Microbial Standards on YouTube
- 2023 Jun: First genetics provided to publicly traded company
- 2023 Jul: Presented treatment findings to NZ Medicinal Cannabis Council on microbial management
- 2023 Jul: Created booklet for J-Day with Helius Therapeutics informing patients of rights etc
- 2023 Jul: Presentation on Offtake Agreements for cultivators published on YouTube
- 2023 Aug: Presented in-person at opening of Whakamana Cannabis Museum
- 2023 Sep: AMA hosted on r/MedicalCannabisNZ
- 2023 Sep: Cultivation license issued for Pause Labs
- 2023 Oct: Hosted doctors tour of cultivation facility
- 2023 Dec: Certificate of Analysis for first harvest, multiple results reaching 26% Total Potential THC
- 2024 Jan: First external cultivator license submitted with our SOPs & consulting
- 2024 Feb: Published Medicinal Cannabis Advertising guidelines booklet
- 2024 Feb: Published Genetics Declaration Handbook for licensed facilities and legacy growers alike
- 2024 Apr: Hosted & organized first ever cultivators event for licensed growers
- 2024 May: Feedback provided to MCA regarding safes, shipping containers, and cannabis storage
- 2024 May: First out of region on-site visit to licensed cultivator for whole-day consult
- 2024 Jun: Research into flower LOD vs aW, loaned lab equipment to Puro
- 2024 Jun: Published custom circuitboard for light interfacing and automations
- 2024 Jul: Published R&D fitout materials list for small cultivation facilities
- 2024 Jul: Published first episode of Chill Chats cannabis podcast
- 2024 Aug: Published research paper on microbial load reduction with post-harvest PAA treatment
- 2024 Aug: Published Visitor sign in/out tracker for facilities (open-source and free)
- 2024 Aug: Medsafe added Chill Division to Regulatory Advisory website for Medicinal Cannabis Advertising, Training, SOPs etc
- 2024 Sep: Supply license granted for Chill Division
- 2024 Sep: Cultivation license granted for first SOP consulting client
- 2024 Oct: Published GRACe portal (open-source and free) to streamline cultivators regulatory compliance
- 2024 Nov: Hosted second Cultivators event for licensed growers
- 2024 Nov: Published custom code for substrate sensor to integrate with automation systems
- 2024 Dec: Custom PCB: Commenced Auto Batch Doser project, a stepper-motor controlled peristaltic pump controller to automatically mix nutrient reservoirs
- 2024 Jan: Commenced R&D for flower to be transported, packed, and verified in a GMP facility
- 2025 Jan: NZMCC Working Group participant, providing feedback from growers as NZMCC looks to broaden membership
- 2025 Jan: Integrated Teros12 Substrate sensor into automation system, added to Cultivation SOPs
- 2025 Feb: Improved GRACe Portal, monthly reporting down to a 20 second task
- 2025 Mar: Created Medicinal Cannabis Advertising interactive game
- 2025 Mar: Custom PCB: Solid State Relay controller designed, prototyped and implemented into production at multiple facilities
- 2025 Mar: Published patient information around Drug Driving laws
- 2025 Mar: Speaker at Spirit Festival on Medicinal Cannabis
- 2025 Apr: Firmware development for Auto Batch Doser
- 2025 Apr: Published "We probably don't want Rec" comparing the proposed legislation to the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and why Rec would be a step back
- 2025 Apr: Commenced SOPs v3, now 3x separate documents including a built-out guide with specific details for equipment, room design etc
- 2025 May: Sponsored Harvest Fest
- 2025 Jun: Became Board Member of New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council
- 2025 Jun: Custom PCB: Solid State Relay v2, now smaller and more affordable for growers to manufacture
- 2025 Jun: 3x batch CoAs obtained with +/- deviation of 2% (relative) as part of GMP packing
- 2025 Jul: Custom PCB: Auto Batch Doser now in production in multiple facilities after firmware completion
- 2025 Jul: Submitted NZMQS verification request for flower
- 2025 Jul: NZMCC vote unanimously to broaden membership base after working group findings
- 2025 Jul: Certified "New Zealand Made" comes through for White Sherb
- 2025 Jul: First production batch of flower for NZMQS verification delivered using processes to GMP certified facility
- 2025 Jul: 3rd Cultivators Catch-Up event organized by Chill Division
- 2025 Aug: Major update to SOPs around safety for staff, provided free to all using our SOPs
- 2025 Aug: 6th Cultivation License obtained using our SOPs so far in 2025 alone
- 2025 Aug: AI integration into cultivation automation system
- 2025 Aug: First expert witness testimony submitted to courts
- 2025 Sep: Custom Auto Batch Dosing system now implemented in production across multiple facilities
- 2025 Oct: Guest speaker at Cannaposium
- 2025 Oct: NZMCC Industry day volunteer
- 2025 Nov: Custom PCB: 0-10v LED controller board for Undercanopy lights etc
- 2025 Nov: Regulatory body confirms our explanation of Athena IPW acceptable, first ever use in NZMQS / Aus exports
- 2025 Nov: 3rd substrate sensor confirmed integrated, choices for rockwool/coco coir, R&D fitout sheet updated
- 2025 Dec: First coco coir commercial run with netbows commenced at Pause Labs
- 2025 Dec: First Chill Division product to be NZMQS verified. No other cultivator has brought product to market 100% domestically without being fully vertically integrated until now!
- 2025 Dec: First medicinal cannabis label in NZ to name both the region and the cultivation facility, approved by the Agency after process validation with the manufacturer
- 2025 Dec: 8th Cultivator licensed for the year of 2025, with Chill Division being involved in over 50% of all new licenses for the year used
- 2026 Jan: First Manufacturing site audit for a consulting client
- 2026 Jan: Filmed for an upcoming documentary by Te Muri Film
- 2026 Feb: First batches of verified flower dispatched to clinics and pharmacies from our Supply site
- 2026 Feb: 4th Cultivators Catch-up event for licensed growers
- 2026 Feb: Attended United in Compassion 2026 in Brisbane, sponsored by Dome Group
- 2026 Mar: Custom PCB: Auto Batch Doser v2 completed, now 6 pumps so a full Athena or Front Row lineup runs without swapping bottles; files published for others to fabricate
- 2026 Mar: Speaker in the green zone at Morphfest
- 2026 May: Hemp regulation overhaul announced; our Hemp explainer page published within the week
- 2026 May: Featured by Buy NZ Made; NZ Made certification renewed for a second year in July
- 2026 May: Acquired a CoA'd high-CBD, sub-1% THC keeper cut from Aoroa Cannabis for hemp supply
- 2026 May: First person to notify Police in person under the new hemp regulations, and delivered the first hemp clone to a newly-authorised recipient on Hemp Liberation Day (28 May) at the Cannabis Museum
- 2026 Jun: Major GRACe Portal release (0.17): overhauled UI, dashboard with reporting and licence expiry reminders, one-tap report emails, smarter shipping manifests
- 2026 Jun: Finalist in two categories at the Cannabiz Awards 2026 (Best Use of Technology; Start-up / Launch of the Year)
- 2026 Jul: Construction of a new facility for drying and triaging flower from other growers
- 2026 Jul: Rewrite of SOPs, version 3 drafted, with implementation guides, search and mobile layout, ahead of publishing them free to everyone
- 2026 Jul: Presented at the NZ Grow Co cultivators meet-up on starting small and losing a crop post-harvest
- 2026 Aug: Now over 2/3rds of all licensed facilities are running the system we pioneered with Home Assistant for automation / monitoring, or the GRACe Regulatory Compliance Portal
- 2026 Sep: First free hemp clone round, CoA-backed CBG Force cuttings, all ten spots claimed within days and couriered nationwide
- 2026 Sep: Field Notes launched for longer-form writing on regulation and cultivation