Through our partnership with MBIE & Callaghan Innovation, we make it our business to ensure you have the support and resources you need at each step in your innovation journey.
This case study shows how local collaboration bolsters kiwifruit innovation:
“Yieldia is the perfect example of how local businesses can leverage our business support services to drive product development, expand into new markets, and bolster their innovation journeys,”
– Matt Cowley, Tauranga Business Chamber CEO.
Nestled in the western Bay of Plenty is Yieldia – one of the country’s most unique kiwifruit packhouses – packing over 2,000,000kg of locally-grown fruit every year, and employing up to 60 staff at the peak of the season.
In recent years, Yieldia has diversified its focus, seeking to innovate by developing dried kiwifruit products from waste fruit. With ambitious goals to expand their range of dried kiwifruit, both gold and green, and explore new export markets – Yieldia approached Tauranga Business Chamber to see how we could help.
Seeking Innovation Support from the Tauranga Business Chamber
In July 2024 Yieldia General Manager, Craig Hart, met with the Tauranga Business Chamber’s Growth & Innovation Manager Roz Irwin, to discuss Yieldia’s innovation goals.
After an in-depth discussion, based on their aspirations, Roz recommended the ‘R&D Experience Grant’; a programme helping businesses employ tertiary-level students as full-time interns over summer.
“The grant not only supports R&D efforts but also gives students real-world experience, enriching both their careers and the businesses they work with,”
Roz Irwin, Growth and Innovation Manager.
Roz connected Yieldia to Lee Martin, Work-Integrated Learning Programme Lead, at the University of Waikato, and Lee worked with Yieldia to identify suitable candidates for the internship.
After careful consideration, Yieldia selected Kristie: a Chemical and Process Engineering student, who would go on to contribute significantly to the dried kiwifruit project.
R&D support in action
Kristie worked 400 hours at Yieldia as an R&D Intern focussed on their dried kiwifruit operation. She was tasked with investigating opportunities for cost, time and labour savings through investment in automation technology or adapting existing processes and materials.
Her work resulted in a robust report which will allow for the straightforward creation of a CAPEX business case, and return on investment summaries for Yieldia’s Board and shareholders to consider”
Craig Hart, Yieldia General Manager.
“Having Kristie complete this research of best-in-breed machines and solutions, and interfacing directly with the suppliers to produce this work, resulted in significant savings for Yieldia in both cost and staff time.
“Her contributions have been pivotal in advancing our new product offerings and expanding our market potential.”
For Kristie, the internship provided an “incredible opportunity” to apply what she’s learned at university in a real-world setting.
“I was able to contribute to a live innovation project and get hands-on experience in the food industry. I saw firsthand how companies can turn waste into something valuable, and gained skills that will be invaluable for my career.
“I’ve also gained a lot of knowledge about the kiwifruit sector and how the drying process works, which has broadened my understanding of the industry.”
The power of collaboration
The Chamber-led collaboration between Yieldia, Callaghan Innovation, and the University of Waikato demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships, says Tauranga Business Chamber CEO, Matt Cowley.
“Through the R&D Experience Grant, Yieldia was able to integrate a talented student into their innovation process, creating valuable outcomes for both the business and the student.
“This process highlights the role of our Business Growth & Innovation Navigators in simplifying the steps businesses must take to access support, ensuring their innovation projects are well-funded and well-supported.”
For Craig, the R&D Experience Grant was a seamless and perfect match.
“The grant enabled us to push forward with our dried kiwifruit product development while providing a student with hands-on experience in the food processing industry.”
Craig credits the Chamber with making the process of seeking R&D support seamless.
“Roz and the Chamber were wonderfully efficient, and we look forward to working with them in the future as we progress our innovation journey.”
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If you want support with your innovation journey, contact Roz at roz@tauranga.org.nz and visit our Innovation webpage for more information.
