News & Media Highlights
We bring our innovative touch to every project, proving that nothing is impossible.
We are excited to share what we are doing and growing the global conversation around KiwiLeather Innovations. Here is our press coverage, industry features, and shared moments from partners and supporters who are championing the future of sustainable luxury.
NZ Herald - The Country News
A new leather alternative aims to find new uses for the over 50,000 tonnes of kiwifruit rejected in New Zealand each year.
RNZ - Radio New Zealand
Rural innovation sets the scene for New Zealand's future
From waterway-mapping robots to leather made from kiwifruit, Kiwi innovation on display at the southern hemisphere's biggest rural expo.
NewstalkZB
Founder Shelley Houston told Mike Hosking it takes about 500 grams to make a square meter of the alternative leather.
Bioeconomy Science Institute Scion Group
Turning kiwifruit waste into high-end materials
Over the past three months, Scion researchers have been teaming up with KiwiLeather Innovations (KIL) to transform surplus kiwifruit into a sustainable alternative to vegan leather.
The Post - NZ
Profit & Planet is a series profiling finalists on the Sustainable Business Awards’ Next List, an annual list of the best innovators, entrepreneurs, projects and organisations in the green space.
Bioresource Processing Alliance
KiwiLeather Innovations: turning kiwifruit waste into high-performance, plastic-free vegan leather
New Zealand is world-renowned for its kiwifruit, but with this comes a challenge: the vast amount of orchard and pack-house waste that typically goes unused.
Fresh Plaza
KiwiLeather Innovations, founded by Shelley Houston, addresses the annual rejection of over 50,000 tons of kiwifruit in New Zealand by transforming waste fruit into plant-based leather alternative.
The Hog Ring.com
What do you do when life gives you 50,000 tons of rejected kiwifruit? If you’re Shelley Houston, you turn it into automotive-grade faux leather.
Priority One
Kiwifruit industry innovations showcased at Fieldays
Fieldays has just wrapped up, and at the Innovation Hub, our region had a strong focus on kiwifruit and the broader horticultural sector.
Awards & Nominations
The Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize finds, supports and celebrates those who turn bold ideas into solutions for our planet. We search the globe for game-changing examples of climate leadership and innovation with KiwiLeather Innovations nominated for 2026.
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