Last night, the winners of the 2025 KiwiNet Awards were unveiled at a ceremony at Shed 10 in Auckland. We are delighted to share that the winner of the AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award at the 2025 KiwiNet Awards is Potato Innovation ‘Crop 78’ – Bioeconomy Science Institute.
The team at Bioeconomy Science Instituate (Plant and Food Research) has created a higher quality frying potato known for its size, shape and cooking properties. In a global sector estimated to be worth USD 18 billion[1], the Crop 78 potato variety is positioned to become the popular choice with processors producing French fries.
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony at Shed 10 in Auckland. AJ Park Principals Anton Blijlevens, Hadleigh Brown, and Dr Hannah French attended the event, showing their support to the broader research, science and innovation community.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 KiwiNet Awards. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of your work in the years to come, and we are confident that your contributions will further elevate the research, science, and innovation sector.
View a full list of winners on the KiwiNet website.
About the KiwiNet Awards
The KiwiNet Awards is Aotearoa’s premier celebration of research commercialisation. Now in its 13th year, the Awards honour the people and projects transforming scientific discoveries into new technologies, businesses and real-world solutions. Emerging from outstanding research in New Zealand’s universities, public research organisations and other research organisations, these innovations are powering high-value jobs, growing our economy, tackling global challenges, and doing good in our communities.
[1] https://www.potatopro.com/news/2025/new-zealand-plant-and-food-research-introduces-crop-78-potato-variety-superior-french-fry
