HĀPI –
BREWING
SUCCESS
Super premium hops for craft beer that
is uniquely New Zealand are the aim of
a more than $13 million project backed
by the Ministry of Primary Industries. The
government would like to see the creation
of new varieties and cross-breeds of hops
that can be identified as Kiwi from the first
sip, much like Marlborough sauvignon blanc
is know for its gooseberry flavours. The
ministry is contributing $5.3m to the sevenyear
research and development project in
conjunction with Hāpi Research, which is
contributing $7.95m. The organisation is a
joint venture between Wellington’s Garage
Project and Freestyle Farms in Nelson.
Hop growing will be supported by research
on new precision agriculture practices
and processing methods. MPI directorgeneral
Martyn Dunne says the project
will produce craft beer destined for the
global craft beer market, where consumers
spend as much paying for craft as they do
fine wine. “The programme will create a
cross-industry research and development
programme that’s commercially viable,
sustainable in the long-term, with strong
commercialisation pathways driven by
the market,” he says. “The collaborative
efforts will strongly support development of
high-value, premium products from regional
businesses. The Hāpi – Brewing Success
PGP programme will help growers and
brewers to explore new possibilities for our
hop growing and craft beer industries.”
The number of niche Kiwi breweries has
increased by 300% in the past decade,
with around 200 companies in operation,
but only small quantities of hops are grown.
The programme is forecasting craft beer
revenue to grow to $132m a year by 2027,
which is $89m more than the revenue
forecast without the programme, and 835
new jobs.
FRESH DAIRY
Seventy-two hours after it is produced in New
Zealand, fresh milk is on the shelves of 18
Alibaba’s Hema Fresh supermarkets in Shanghai.
The initiative is one outcome of Theland New
Cloud, formed in 2015 as a subsidiary of
Hunan Dakang and minority shareholders. The
Alibaba Group and its funder’s capital venture
company (57%) became shareholders of the
company in December 2017. Hunan Dakang
remains a shareholder with 33% and minority
shareholders with 10%. Now a subsidiary of
Theland New Cloud, Milk New Zealand Dairy
has been formed to source and export quality
New Zealand-produced food products to China.
“The Hema Fresh supermarkets are an exciting
initiative, combining internet and technologypowered
shopping,” managing director of Milk
New Zealand Dairy Terry Lee says. “Everything
happens through a mobile app – from ordering
for home delivery, to instore product research,
An inspired group of talented foodies
collaborating on a range of food-to-go has been
a winning combination this year, with The Whole
Mix winning the supreme award at the 2018 NZ
Food Awards for its fresh spiralised vegetable
noodles. The company’s outlook is simple – don’t
compromise when it comes to health, quality and
taste - and aims to help people who share those
values. The range includes snack pot salads,
grab-and-go salads and sides…all sourced
from New Zealand’s rural surroundings...and
the noodle range includes zucchini, butternut,
medley (beetroot, carrot and zucchini) and
kumara. Award judges say the products are a
tasty and nutritious alternative to pasta, and their
growing popularity reflects the changing tastes
of New Zealand consumers. “The Whole Mix
Co have listened to their consumers and have
followed healthy eating and convenience trends
to considerably grow the category,” James
& Wells’ food and beverage innovation team
leader Carrick Robinson says. “This product
demonstrates innovation, creativity and tasty
New Zealand grown produce.” The awards,
which have been held since 1987, celebrate
creative innovation from New Zealand’s food
and beverage manufacturers. More than 220
products were entered in 2018, with 67 products
from 54 companies being named finalists. www.
thewholemix.co.nz
THE WHOLE MIX
even payments. Currently Theland Farm Fresh
Milk is available in 18 Hema Fresh supermarkets
in Shanghai, with the QR code on the packaging
giving consumers insight to where and how the
milk is produced. Food quality and safety is of
paramount importance to Chinese consumers,
and New Zealand is recognised as a country
which has some of the highest food safety
standards and natural resources in the world.”
Theland Farm Fresh Milk is produced from
pasture-farmed cows which graze on the
Theland Tahi Farm Group’s and other farms. It
is processed by New Zealand milk processor
Green Valley Dairy, bottled in one litre bottles and
airfreighted to China – arriving at Hema Fresh
supermarkets 72 hours after it left the farm. The
launch of the new fresh milk product follows
Milk New Zealand’s collaboration with Alibaba
Group’s business-to-consumer Tmall platform,
which promoted Theland Farm Fresh Milk to
OUTSTANDING COMPANIES
26 ANNUAL DIRECTORY 2019