Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor Brett Wotton has been awarded the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his contribution to fruit quality practices in the industry.
Wotton, who grows kiwifruit in Ōpōtiki and operates a harvest contracting business, introduced protective covers for picking bags used during harvest. The covers act as a bib at the top of the bag, supporting careful picking practices and shielding newly picked fruit from contact with damaged or overripe kiwifruit that may fall into the bag. The system helps maintain fruit quality through to packhouses and export.
© Zespri
The use of bag covers has since been widely adopted. Post-harvest service provider EastPack's orchard management arm, Prospa, requires them across its operations, and both New Zealand picking bag manufacturers now offer covered bag options.
Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) Chair and award judge Samantha Sharif said the industry depends on delivering consistent quality. "Brett's idea of using 'picking bag covers' at harvest time helps to address what can be a serious quality issue at the very beginning of the supply chain. The use of these covers supports maximising fruit yields, and reduces the incidence of further quality problems at post-harvest and in-market."
Reflecting on the development, Wotton said the idea began with small trials and is now in use across the industry. "From the early trials to today's industry-wide adoption, this innovation has the potential to reduce fruit quality costs across the industry."
The Kiwifruit Innovation Award was established in 2015 by former KNZ Chair Sir Brian Elwood. It recognises individuals who have introduced practical innovations that address challenges or create long-term improvements for the industry.
Previous recipients include Zespri's Kanako Inomata for the creation of the KiwiBrothers, Dr Annette Richardson for research on budbreak, Dr Steve Green for work on water and nutrient management, Cathy McKenna for pest management contributions, and Russell Lowe for breeding work, including the first commercialised red kiwifruit cultivar.
For more information:
Anna Cross
Zespri Group
Tel: +64 7 572 7600
Email: [email protected]
www.zespri.com
