Our History

New Zealand Starch Ltd’s long history.

Starch has been produced in NZ since 1939.

Through various acquisitions and combinations, the businesses became NZ Starch Products Ltd in 1964.

Wheat starch was originally manufactured on the Onehunga site in 1958.  However subsidy reductions were announced in 1967, encouraging the then owners to investigate other options.  Connections with international players lead to the commissioning of the glucose refinery in 1969.  However, the maize wet-mill was on hold while the Government considered measures to protect the new business.

The glucose refinery was in full production by 1973 and the maize plant was commissioned in 1976.

Considerable upgrading of the maize plant was done over the next six years and in line with a Government review, the inefficient wheat starch plant was closed in 1983.  Since 1983 the business has strived to achieve higher and higher standards consistent with the requirements of the customer.   It has continued to review processes to improve operations and stay competitive.

New Zealand Starch Ltd is but a name in the progress of starch manufacture in New Zealand.

Importantly it has and still does represent an efficient, quality producing business supplying maize-based products to local and international markets.