Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor Brett Wotton has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Brett Wotton, lifting fruit quality. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services
The Ōpōtiki stalwart developed and introduced covers for picking bags as a response to fruit quality issues, helping improve handling practices and prevent fruit damage during harvest.
The covers act as a protective bib at the top of the bag supporting good practice picking, while also shielding just-picked kiwifruit fruit from any soft, damaged or overripe fruit which may accidentally fall.
The simple yet effective solution has been widely adopted by the industry, with post-harvest service provider Prospa making the use of bag covers compulsory. Both picking bag manufacturers in New Zealand now also offer a covered bag option.
“It’s incredible to see how a humble piece of PVC has become a game-changer for fruit quality,” Wotton said. “From the early trials to today’s industry-wide adoption, this innovation has the potential to significantly reduce fruit quality costs across the industry. I’m proud to have been part of the journey.”
The Kiwifruit Innovation Award was established in 2015 by former Chairman of Kiwifruit New Zealand, Sir Brian Elwood. Previous winners include Zespri’s Kanako Inomata for the creation of the KiwiBrothers, Dr Annette Richardson for her work on improving budbreak, Dr Steve Green who changed the approach to water and nutrient management, Cathy McKenna for work on pest management that has preserved market access and Russell Lowe, for his breeding work, including the first commercialised red kiwifruit cultivar.
