Summer Intern - Future Packaging Design

Zespri; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 18,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Modern corporate office in Mount Maung

Job summary

Zespri invites applications for a Summer Intern in the Packaging team based in Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty. You will help transform paper-based packaging concepts for kiwifruit into commercially viable consumer packaging formats, supporting sustainability and brand goals.

You'll work with the Packaging team to generate, develop, and evaluate packaging concepts, sketches, renderings and prototypes, and test them in simulated conditions to inform future development.

Qualifications

• Studying or recently completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or NZQA level 6-10.
• Studies in science, technology, engineering, design or business at a NZ tertiary institute.
• Legally permitted to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Review existing packaging technologies and consumer insights.
• Research packaging manufacturing processes and commercial feasibility.
• Develop paper-based packaging concepts with sustainability and brand appeal.
• Create sketches, renderings and prototypes of promising concepts.
• Test prototypes in simulated supply chain and high-humidity environments.
• Assess durability, functionality, manufacturability and commercial potential.
• Provide recommendations on future development pathways and commercialization opportunities.

Skills

Creativity

Curiosity

Organised

Team collaboration

Sustainability mindset

Product design interest

Education

Undergraduate or postgraduate degree or NZQA level 6-10

Job description

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

We're looking for a creative and innovative Summer Intern to join our Packaging team and help shape the future of sustainable kiwifruit packaging. This is an exciting opportunity to help transform an innovative paper-based packaging technology into commercially viable consumer packaging formats for Zespri kiwifruit.

As one of the first touchpoints consumers have with the Zespri brand, packaging plays an important role in protecting and presenting our fruit while creating a memorable brand experience. This project will explore how innovative packaging can deliver sustainability benefits, strong shopper appeal, brand differentiation, and operational practicality.

You’ll work closely with our Packaging team to generate, develop, and evaluate new packaging concepts that could ultimately shape the future of sustainable packaging at Zespri.

Key activities include:

• Reviewing existing packaging technologies, materials, consumer insights, and concept developments.
• Researching packaging manufacturing processes, including form-fill-seal technologies and commercial feasibility considerations.
• Developing innovative paper-based consumer packaging concepts with strong sustainability and brand appeal.
• Creating sketches, visual renderings, and physical prototypes of promising concepts.
• Testing prototype performance in simulated supply chain and high-humidity environments.
• Assessing packaging durability, functionality, manufacturability, and commercial potential.
• Providing recommendations on future development pathways and opportunities for commercialisation.

By the end of the internship, you'll deliver a portfolio of packaging concepts, prototype solutions, feasibility assessments, and recommendations that will help guide the future development of sustainable consumer packaging at Zespri.

Program dates: 23 November 2026–12 February 2027. Please note: You must be available for the full duration of the internship.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

The ideal candidate will be creative, curious, and highly organised, with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and product design. You'll enjoy combining creativity with practical problem‑solving and be confident working both independently and as part of a team.

To be eligible to apply you need to meet the following selection criteria:

• Studying, or recently completed, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or qualification at NZQA level 6-10. If study has been completed, your final semester should be less than 12 months ago.
• Studying or has studied, science, technology, engineering,designor business studies at a New Zealand tertiary education institute.
• Legallypermittedto work in New Zealand.

This role will be based in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, a great place to spend the summer. Beaches, waterfalls and the Kaimai ranges all close by for summer day adventures! You will work out of our state‑of‑the art corporate office in central Mount Maunganui, have access to daily kiwifruit, free onsite parking, and a flexible work ethos. Please note, you will need to manage your own accommodation for the duration of the internship.