Develop a portfolio of packaging concepts and prototypes for future sustainable packaging

Summer Intern - Future Packaging Design

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.

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, design or business studies at a New Zealand tertiary education institute.
  • Legally permitted to 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.

To apply, please send through your CV and a one-page cover letter. Applications close 4 September 2025. At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.

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