Meet KiwiLeather
Innovations.
We provide environmentally conscious materials, sustainably, and scalable for a variety of projects.
KiwiLeather Innovations was founded in New Zealand by Shelley Houston to transform waste into possibility. What began with discarded kiwifruit has become a plastic-free, bio-based material refined through rigorous research and scientific validation. We are designed for performance, durability, and modern luxury.
We deliver environmentally conscious materials backed by science and driven by innovation. Circular at its core and uncompromising in quality, our work supports brands ready to create responsibly without sacrificing sophistication.
Our Story
Welcome to KiwiLeather Innovations, where sustainability meets creativity.
Founded by Shelley, a lifelong advocate for waste reuse and up-cycling, our journey began in the quiet town of Papamoa. From a young age, Shelley showcased her talent in NZ Trash to Fashion competitions, transforming waste into wearable art.
Inspired by her son's work on kiwifruit orchards and the excess fruit that often went to waste, Shelley saw an opportunity during the lockdowns. Experimenting in her home kitchen, she began formulating a revolutionary vegan leather-like material using discarded kiwifruit.
Five years of dedicated research and innovation have led to the creation of our signature product: a flexible, and water-resistant vegan leather-like textile with non-toxic, vibrant colours.
At KiwiLeather Innovations, we are committed to turning waste into something wonderful, combining environmental consciousness with cutting-edge fashion and design.
Join us in our mission to make a sustainable future stylish.
What We Value
At the heart of NZ, at the Bioeconomy of Science Institute - Scion Group, we are crafted by some of the world’s most specialised biopolymer experts, who are focussed on replacing petroleum-based products with eco-friendly alternatives.
We emphasise the technical design and application of these materials, while highlighting the complex biological structures like proteins and polysaccharides for our green polymer technology advancement.
Scion's striking three storey building, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata
The building is named “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata” which means the great house of Tuteata. Tuteata is the ancestor of the three hapū who are the tangata whenua here: Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu. The name was gifted to Scion by those three hapū to acknowledge Tuteata and the connection to the land, Te Mingi. Scion and the hapū are building a strong partnership together.
01
Sustainable Innovation
KiwiLeather Innovations is a social enterprise transforming waste into value, and driven by sustainability, resourcefulness, and a commitment to creating lasting environmental impact.
02
Reducing Waste
We transform surplus kiwifruit into a premium vegan material, reducing food waste and advancing a circular economy, and turning environmental loss into lasting value.
03
Ethical Production
Our non-toxic, eco-conscious production prioritises safety, transparency, and fair practices. While ensuring every stage reflects integrity, protects people, and respects the planet.
04
Empowering Communities
We partner with local orchards and growers to transform waste into opportunity, creating sustainable income streams, strengthening regional economies, and advancing global sustainability from the ground up.
05
Conscious Consumerism
We create durable, design-led alternatives for brands and consumers who choose ethics over excess, inspiring a shift toward conscious materials and a more sustainable future.
06
Global Impact
As a social enterprise, we exist to drive climate action, reduce waste, and accelerate circular design. Every KiwiLeather material supports a shared mission: measurable impact beyond profit.
Meet The Team
Co-Founder & Director
Shelley Houston
Born from resilience and an instinct to reimagine waste, Shelley founded KiwiLeather in a New Zealand kitchen, transforming discarded fruit into luxury bio-materials. With roots in plant-based cosmetics and Trash to Fashion, she builds climate-positive design with elegance, integrity, and generational impact.
Co-Founder & CKO
Chris Harper
Chris Harper is Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Knowledge Officer. With a background in advanced manufacturing, process optimisation, and scaling start-ups, he brings deep technical expertise and commercial discipline, thus translating innovation into robust, world-class production systems.
CFO
Philip Harper
As Chief Financial Officer, providing strategic financial leadership, governance expertise, and disciplined oversight to ensure sustainable growth aligned with long-term impact and integrity.
CEO
Ben Marris
As Chief Executive Officer, leading global strategy, commercialisation, and partnerships, scaling next-generation materials into international markets with disciplined growth and purpose-driven vision.
General Manager
Chris Otto
General Manager, overseeing day-to-day operations, systems, and execution, ensuring seamless coordination from research and development through to scalable production and delivery.
Science Lead
Angelique Fogleman-Greene
Guiding formulation, materials research, and performance testing, advancing bio-based innovation through rigorous science, technical precision, and a commitment to sustainable material excellence.
Legal Partner
Edwin Lim
Advising on intellectual property protection, commercial agreements, and corporate structuring, ensuring the company’s innovation, governance, and global expansion are legally robust and future-focused.
Marketing Analysis
Debbie Humphrey
Translating data, brand insight, and market intelligence into strategic positioning, ensuring our materials resonate with global luxury partners and purpose-driven consumers.
Digital Manager
Dylan Borg
Leading digital strategy, platform development, and online presence, ensuring the brand’s innovation, luxury positioning, and global reach are reflected seamlessly across every touchpoint.
Workplace Companion
Fraggles
Named after Fraggle Rock, Fraggles takes her role as office companion very seriously. Not one for cuddles, she prefers quiet supervision, and staying nearby to ensure productivity remains high and no one works alone 🐾
Morale Officer
Tigger
Inspired by the ever-bouncy character from Winnie the Pooh, Tigger specialises in workplace wellbeing. Affectionate on her own terms, she’s known for shadowing team members around the property to ensure spirits stay high 🐾