Evidence Before Claims
We distinguish development targets from independently demonstrated results and update our language as the evidence grows.
About Materially Kiwi
Built From Curiosity. Growing Through Science.
Materially Kiwi Innovations is a New Zealand biomaterials company developing higher-value pathways from kiwifruit and horticultural side streams.
What began as founder-led kitchen experiments has evolved into a science-led materials platform connecting growers, researchers, manufacturers and global brands.
Our evolution
Materially Kiwi Innovations was formerly known as KiwiLeather Innovations. The new name reflects a wider platform ambition beyond a single leather-like material.
Our Founder Story
Waste Was Never the End of the Story
Shelley Houston’s interest in material innovation began long before Materially Kiwi. As a young creator in New Zealand Trash to Fashion competitions, she learned to look at discarded materials differently and imagine what they could become.
Years later, her son’s work in kiwifruit orchards revealed the scale of fruit that never reaches consumers. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Shelley began experimenting at home with discarded kiwifruit and simple kitchen equipment.
Those early trials were imperfect, but they demonstrated possibility. They became the starting point for research collaboration, structured material development and a company designed to turn overlooked resources into lasting value.
Our Journey
From Experiment to Platform
The company has grown by learning, testing and refining its direction as new scientific and commercial evidence becomes available.
- 01
The Spark
Seeing possibility in a discarded resource
Surplus and rejected kiwifruit became the starting point for a new material idea grounded in New Zealand provenance.
- 02
First Experiments
Learning through hands-on formulation
Early kitchen trials explored whether fruit-based ingredients could form flexible sheets with useful colour and surface qualities.
- 03
Scientific Development
Moving from experimentation into structured R&D
Research collaboration and grant support enabled more rigorous formulation work, technical assessment and commercial planning.
- 04
Platform Direction
Creating multiple pathways from one side stream
The company is now developing a front-end approach that can produce more consistent plant-based inputs for coated sheets and future material formats.
Science and Collaboration
Innovation Is a Team Effort
Materially Kiwi collaborates with researchers at Scion, part of New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute, to progress materials research and development.
The wider company network brings together experience across materials science, manufacturing, commercialisation, intellectual property, market intelligence, digital strategy and brand engagement.
We value honest technical feedback and partnerships that help move the platform from promising samples toward repeatable, independently validated materials.
Explore the PlatformWhat Guides Us
Values That Shape the Work
Our values influence how we describe the material, how we work with partners and how we plan for future scale.
Circular by Design
We begin with resources already available and work toward creating more value from each original side stream.
New Zealand Value
We want science, horticulture and manufacturing capability to create meaningful opportunity within New Zealand.
Collaboration Over Isolation
Researchers, growers, manufacturers, designers and brands each hold knowledge needed to build better material pathways.
Responsible Scale
Commercial growth must be supported by repeatable manufacturing, transparent inputs and application-specific validation.
Ambition With Integrity
We are building for global relevance while remaining honest about where the technology is today.
Core Leadership
Building the Company Together
A focused leadership team is supported by specialist researchers, advisors and collaborators as the company progresses through development and scale-up.
Founder & Managing Director
Shelley Houston
Founder vision, company direction, brand relationships and the original material journey.
Co-Founder & Chief Knowledge Officer
Chris Harper
Technical knowledge, manufacturing thinking, process development and scale-up planning.
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Marris
Commercial strategy, capital planning, partnerships and the pathway toward market readiness.Extended Expertise
Materially Kiwi also works with specialists across materials science, legal and intellectual property, finance, market intelligence, sales, digital strategy and manufacturing. Individual roles will continue to evolve as the company grows.
Join the Journey
Help Build the Next Chapter
We welcome conversations with research partners, manufacturers, brands, investors and people who see possibility in overlooked resources.
Start a Conversation