Saliva test upstart Rako Science sold to rival APHG

Saliva test upstart Rako Science sold to rival APHG
Rako Science partnered with Waipareira Trust to provide covid saliva testing for Māori. (Image: NZME)
Pattrick Smellie
Today’s announcement of the sale of saliva-testing firm Rako Science to what was once its arch-rival, Asia Pacific Healthcare Group (APHG), is a classic case of the old adage: “If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em”.For more than a year at the height of the covid lockdowns, Rako and APHG were at one another’s throats both in public and behind-the-scenes as Rako aggressively pressed the case for national uptake of its novel saliva test technology.Rako’s main target was the health ministry, which appeared to...

More Opinion

The Macro Series: All about economists
Opinion

Simon Robertson: The Macro Series: All about economists

Economists should be bold and make big predictions.

Simon Robertson 30 Aug 2025
NZSA: fighting for shareholders
Markets

Oliver Mander: NZSA: fighting for shareholders

CEO pushes back at criticism its 'lost its way'.

Oliver Mander 27 Aug 2025
Councils’ innovation dilemma
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Councils’ innovation dilemma

Our major cities still have the ingredients to be tech talent and investment centres.

Peter Griffin 27 Aug 2025
KiwiSaver is leaking
Opinion

David Chaplin: KiwiSaver is leaking

If KiwiSaver keeps drifting away from its purpose, it might as well not exist at all.

David Chaplin 26 Aug 2025