“Bringing together New Zealand to build Innovation”

Our Mission

Our mission is to

  • Connect NZ Industries with the best science and technology teams from across our network.
  • Assist companies with new product development, problem-solving, and embedding technology innovation
  • Provide the “missing science” in the NZ research and development ecosystem

Our Capabilities

We have broad capabilities from practical business skills and technology development and application, as well as deep capability in materials and manufacturing areas. Our technological capability is centered in six portfolios: Materials & Surfaces; Manufacturing Systems; Bioprocessing & Recycling; Design Innovation; Energy & Emissions; Sensing, Monitoring & Automation. Our Business Development team is the most experienced and connected in New Zealand. We invite you to connect with us (use it as part of our service).

Materials & Surfaces

Details
Materials and surfaces are influencing every segment of our daily life, such as housing, energy, transportation, recreation, communication and food products. In particular, availability of materials technology hold back development of all our productive sectors, if we don’t develop and apply them. NZ Product Accelerator is working with industry, academia, and government in a partnership to develop new materials, surfaces and treating techniques that accelerate new product development for NZ, reducing production costs and enhancing environmental impact.

Portfolio Manager: Shanghai Wei

Design Innovation

Details
The Design Innovation portfolio maximises the digital leap through distributed design, development, manufacturing and service delivery for New Zealand. NZ Product Accelerator has extensive knowledge of immerging trends and world-class equipment within additive manufacturing for 3D/ 4D printed products and systems, materials and sensing technologies coupled with a strong focus for a circular economy and real benefit for NZ.

Portfolio Manager: Monique Bateman

Manufacturing Systems

Details
Manufacturing is a key economic driver for New Zealand, generating almost 10% of GDP and close to 250,000 jobs. Its role in catalyzing R&D and innovation in other sectors is just as important. NZ Product Accelerator provides support to manufacturers in diverse areas, from 3D printing and big data to manufacturing materials, along with specific research expertise in hybrid digital manufacturing technologies and Construction 4.0 relating to off-site manufacture of buildings.

Portfolio Manager: Anthony Meyer

Energy & Emissions

Details
Energy transfer and Emission reduction are critical measures to achieve New Zealand’s national Carbon Neutral goal by 2050. NZ Product Accelerator is supporting improvement in productivity and efficiency in energy transfer and storage, providing specific research expertise in efficiency improvement in green energy, energy management and system controls, as well as integration of energy saving technologies into NZ industry and improving energy efficiency in the food industry.

Portfolio Manager: Jingjing Liu

Soft Materials, Bioprocessing & Recycling

Details
The Soft Materials and Recycling Portfolio is focussed on technologies for value additions to the bio-materials/bio-economy sectors including food and beverage. Bio-materials and bio-economy sectors are NZ 6.8b in export revenue, but can be increased substantially through maximising value addition, while minimising waste during processing and packaging. Creating innovative processes and products from present waste streams is a win-win for NZ since it also reduces landfill and runoff into waterways. Sustainable environmental credentials, positive financial outcomes, and employment opportunities are the goals.

Portfolio Manager: Karnika De Silva

Sensing & Automation

Details
Sensing and Automation technologies are an integral part of the major New Zealand’s  industries, such as Manufacturing, Agritech,  Bioresources, and other primary industries. NZ Product Accelerator provides support for industries and research groups in the field of automation, robotics, and sensing technologies. Key critical technologies in this sector include intelligent data processing, autonomous robotics using artificial intelligence, remote sensing and our wide range of expertise in bundled sensors technology using AI, IoT, and WiFi Sniffing.

Portfolio Manager: Harshpreet Singh

Case Studies

EPI Group 2020 Limited

Product Accelerator helped us to build strong relationships through a well-established manufacturing facility overseas to manufacture high-performing products in Australia and New Zealand.

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Wētā Workshop

“It is through NZPA that this is even possible and we therefore all share a vote of gratitude for what the NZPA funding has enabled here in NZ.  This long-term funding has kept companies such as us ahead of the market and arguably playing along the front edge of industry advancements – meaning we stay relevant, cost competitive, and acknowledged by our peers and industry leaders alike.”

Sir Richard Taylor- CEO and co-founder of Wētā Workshop

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Fisher & Paykel Appliances

Carbon Zero Home R&D Institute

Helping FIsher & Paykel Appliances front up to large climate change challenges

 

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CaSil Technologies Ltd

The world-first CaSil technology and Casil product applications will make a positive impact in addressing Climate Change mitigation and Clean Water preservation and protection. Jim is a Founding Principal Investigator of the NZ Product Accelerator which has recognised the substantial economic and environmental benefits of the technology and the CaSil products and applications, and has opened up particular industry linkages.

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WiseWool

Raechel Laing (Product Accelerator’s Research Leader) was able to help Wisewool, a wool industry company, solve issues with their engineered 100% wool by comparing it to the performance of synthetic materials typical of the upholstery industry.

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Bremworth

“The NZPA team has contributed market knowledge, innovation, industry leading technologies and research capacity, giving Bremworth confidence in the rigorous science backing of the program.”

Kirstine Hulse – GM Health & Safety, People and Sustainability

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Inhibit Coatings Ltd

Inhibit Coatings has developed a high-performance, long-lasting, cost-effective, and sustainable solution that works to safeguard our communities and environment.im is a Founding Principal Investigator of the NZ Product Accelerator which provided financial support for Eldon Tate in his PhD research programme that Jim supervised.

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Sanford

“Sanford’s investment in innovation has culminated in a $20m+ investment in 2022 in a marine extracts and innovation centre in Marlborough, building on a foundation of collaboration that involves strong relationships with partners such as the Product Accelerator.”

Andrew Stanley Sanford General Manager, Innovation

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Boxfish Research

“The continued support, advice and connections from the Product Accelerator team have supported the success of Boxfish in NZ and provide us with a strong platform from which to export our great NZ products. “

Ben King – co-founder Boxfish Research

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Geo40

“Geo40’s research agreement with Product Accelerator has been highly valued in progressing our sustainability aspiration of being impactful in environmentally motivated markets around the world. Their industry specific expertise and networks, along with their resounding collaborative approach to innovation has been greatly welcomed.”

– Steve Urquhart, Product & Market Development Manager

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The Comfort Group

“Working with the NZPA has become an important part of how we operate as a business and is now specified as part of our R&D budget process”.

– Dean Rope, Group Product Development Manager

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Propspeed International

“This partnership has added incredible value and contribution to our R&D efforts…..I have no doubt that our product development has been accelerated with the NZPA team involvement.”

Chris Baird -Managing Director Propspeed International Ltd

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NZ Prosthetic Eye Services

Our new material has the potential to improve the quality of life of prosthetic eye wearers globally and the breakthrough could not have been achieved without the knowledge, enthusiasm and support provided by NZ Product Accelerator.”

– Keith Pine, Ocular Prosthetist NZPES

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Inhibit Coatings

“I believe Inhibit Coatings is an excellent example of how leading edge science and technology that is developed in the collaborative and well connected research and industry environment, such as the one provided by the NZPA, can lead to the successful establishment of a new start-up company with employment and business opportunities both in NZ and internationally.”

– Eldon Tate, CEO

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LifeStone

“As you can see our development and use of new coating technology, these stones are beautiful and crafted right here in Aotearoa! I think even though not all things went to plan due to covid. The Life Stone and Product Accelerator example is one of a great success.”

Dain Guttenbeil, CEO Lifestone

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Latest News

 

Exciting developments from the 2024 Smart Ideas funding round!

The New Zealand Product Accelerator continues to fuel success, with several cutting-edge research projects funded through Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE’s) Smart Ideas initiative. Two key projects, where the New Zealand Product Accelerator played a crucial role, have each been awarded~$1M each, showcasing innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration

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MBIE commissioned report identifies NZPA as vital for New Zealand manufacturing innovation

The recently released review report commissioned by MBIE has asserted that the NZPA stands out as Aotearoa’s premier organization for bridging the gap between manufacturers and the realms of research and science.

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Excited to share our first newsletter

We’re excited to introduce our very first newsletter !

 In this newsletter, you’ll find an inside look at the incredible projects, collaborations, and milestones that we’ve reached together as a network. We’re also extending a warm and heartfelt welcome to all our new network members.

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"A New Manufacturing Industry for NZ" Potential Value of Bio-Products from Forests Report Release🌿📢"

The report has been  just released, which shows Bio-Forest Products can be a new  Manufacturing and Processing industry, almost the same size as the dairy industry. Product Accelerator was the catalyst that enabled the working group to collaborate by also bringing to the table Scion, NZTE, NZ Forest Service, and the Forest Growers and related parties.

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Collaboration with CIRCUIT - Circular Innovations Research Centre at University of Auckland

🌍 Excited to announce our collaboration with CIRCUIT – Circular Innovations Research Centre, in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering and a Research Hub within Ngā Ara Whetū | Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society at The University of Auckland. 🌱

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Big Congratulations to Kevin Sheehy !

Big Congratulations to Kevin Sheehy for winning the Simpson Grierson Commercialisation Professional category award at KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards 2023.

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NZ Bio Forestry and their Taiwan R&D Partner Make it to the Top 100 Worldwide Innovations! 🌱🌍

Congratulations Wayne Mulligan and team!

We are thrilled to share the fantastic news that NZ Bio Forestry groundbreaking efforts have been acknowledged on a global stage! This remarkable achievement comes under the distinguished category of FixCarbon Technology: Carbon-Negative Bioplastics from Afforestation.

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Tomorrow’s Economy Vision shared with New Zealand National Party

Meeting with New Zealand National Party MPs, including the Leader of the party Christopher Luxon to discuss Tomorrow’s Economy Vision- shared Industry led visions for New Zealand’s future economic growth.

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Congratulations to Product Accelerator’s Key Research Leader- Dr. Khalid Arif

Big Congratulations to Dr. Khalid Arif and Leon Ripa for the 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 – 𝐌2𝐕𝐈𝐏. Paper titled “Orchard Yield Estimation Using Multi-Angle Image Processing”, authored by Leon Ripa and Khalid Arif has received the best paper award at the IEEE 28th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP 2022).

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Inhibit Coatings wins prestigious Trans-Tasman award

The team at Inhibit Coatings has won the Trans-Tasman Innovation & Growth Award at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum 2022 (ANZLF). The award was presented during Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Ministerial delegation to the forum in Sydney.The ANZLF theme of “Great Acceleration: Emerging Stronger Together” reflects the dynamic start-up from Victoria University of Wellington’s track record of bringing high value science out of academia. Professor Jim Johnston (founder) and his prior students Dr Eldon Tate (CEO & founder) and Dr Emma Wrigglesworth (technical lead) have been supported for many years by the New Zealand Product Accelerator.

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Big Congratulations to Product Accelerator's key Research Leader Prof. Johan Potgieter!

Big Congratulations to Product Accelerator’s key Research Leader Prof. Johan Potgieter winner of the 2021 Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) Researcher Entrepreneur Award!

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Big win for Bremworth team

We were pleased to share that Bremworth won the Innovation & Collaboration Project Award at the Primary Industries NZ Awards. This award is recognition of their science-based and research-led sustainability programme in collaboration with Product AcceleratorThe University of Auckland and AgResearch.

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Product Acclerator's updated National Testing Register is now live!

Our vision for the National Testing Register is as a streamlined engagement pathway for both companies and researchers; we will thus continue to support its development to maximize its value to the wider R&D ecosystem.

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Product Accelerator welcomes Sir Ian Taylor as a new Advisory Board Chair

We are delighted to announce that Sir Ian Taylor is to be the new Chair of the Product Accelerator   Advisory Board. Sir Ian has a distinguished list of honours including being appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to television and business in the 2012 New Year Honours, and promotion to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 New Year Honours.

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Outstanding Achievement by Product Accelerator's core team member Dr. Jingjing Liu- Marsden Fast Start Funding 2021

Product Accelerator researcher Dr. Jingjing Liu and the team at the University of Auckland have been awarded Marsden Fast Start funding 2021. This research will crucially inform strategies for eliminating the thermal strain of water electrolyser, substantially extending the lifespan of electrolyser components and their capability for continuous operation. This will improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electrolytic hydrogen production.

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Big Success for students supported by Product Accelerator- Winners of Best Design Awards

Students from Victoria University of Wellington School of Design won the Best Design Awards hosted by the Designers Institute of New Zealand in different categories.

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Product Accelerator is excited to announce hub for Palmerston North partnered with Massey University’s AgriFood Digital Lab (MAFDL)

The Product Accelerator is partnering with Massey University’s AgriFood Digital Lab (MAFDL) to form a new hub in Palmerston North.

The Product Accelerator Agritech Hub, located within “The Engine” on the AgResearch campus in Palmerston North will support companies and research to accelerate commercial opportunities into local and international markets.

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Product Accelerator supported design students runner-up in 2021 James Dyson Awards

Courtney Naismith and Matthew O’Hagan, who carried out their Masters projects at the VUW School of Design Innovation supported by Product Accelerator, have been named runner-up in the 2021 James Dyson Awards for their work on 3D printed artefacts made using recycled plastic waste.

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Next-generation Rechargeable Batteries-Marsden funded project led by Dr. Shanghai Wei

Product Accelerator researcher Dr. Shanghai Wei and the team at the University of Auckland are working on a very cool project on next-generation rechargeable batteries. 

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Product Accelerator and MedTech Core sponsored entry selected as one of the 35 international finalists for the Purmundus Challenge 2021

Visible Women (by Ana Morris) has been selected as one of the 35 international finalists for the Purmundus Challenge 2021. The entry has been sponsored by Product Accelerator and MedTech Core.

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Product Accelerator supported design students nominated for NZ Best Design Awards

Four Product Accelerator supported students from the School of Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington have been nominated for the 2021 NZ Best Design Awards

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Product Accelerator's key research leader Prof. Johan Potgieter nominated for the 2021 KiwiNet Awards

Following the success of Prof Jim Johnston and Dr. Eldon Tate at the 2020 Kiwinet awards, Professor Johan Potgieter (Product Accelerator Research Leader for Sensing and Automation portfolio) is recognised as one of sixteen finalists in the 2021 Kiwinet Awards under the ‘Researcher Entrepreneur’ category.

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Product Accelerator interaction with FireTS Lab

Prof. Mark Taylor (Director Product Accelerator)  had an amazing interview with Fire TS Laboratory.  Mark provided an insight about our pull science model and how Product Accelerator can help with the development of a new product/technology IP in New Zealand.  Professor Mark Taylor is a Fellow of IChemE and has spent 30 years in technology and line management in metals, and high value manufacturing, working at the interface between research and application.

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Big win for Product Accelerator team

The Product Accelerator team won the Velocity Innovation Challenge 2021 for the UN Sustainable Development category, ‘To make the world a better place’.

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Great success at the 2020 Kiwinet awards

An excellent result for Jim Johnston and Eldon Tate who collectively won 3 awards at the KiwiNet Awards.

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Let’s turn those buoys into real-time mussel sensors

A collaborative research project to improve monitoring of offshore mussel farms has moved to its next phase with sensor-laden smart buoys undergoing testing in the Marlborough Sounds.

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Inhibit Coatings – a rapid journey from PhD to Start Up Company

In response to a number of company’s market pull, the  Product Accelerator funded a PhD scholarship for Eldon Tate at Victoria University of Wellington to research how silver entities could be incorporated and bonded to a variety of materials to develop new antimicrobial coatings and surface treatments.

– Read more

Ready to get started?

Our team of project leads is ready and waiting to hear from you

 

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