Makers Story
Real people. Real skills.
Made right here
Makers Story is all about shining a light on the people behind the products. The makers, innovators and problem-solvers shaping the Hutt Valley.
Across a series of short videos, we step inside local manufacturing businesses to see what actually happens behind the scenes. From advanced tech to hands-on craft, these are the careers and industries that keep things moving and they’re closer to home than you might think.
This project is designed to open eyes, especially for rangatahi, to the opportunities within manufacturing. These are real career pathways with real potential whether that’s working with machinery, design, engineering, or creating something tangible every day.
Ripe Coffee Roasters
Ripe Coffee is a Petone-based roastery built around a hands-on, small-batch approach to coffee making.
At the core of their process is careful sourcing, roasting and tasting, with beans selected through strong relationships with growers and suppliers.
At the core of Ripe is a hands-on roasting process. Beans are carefully sourced through trusted relationships with growers, then roasted in small batches using a drum roaster to bring out their unique flavour profiles. Each roast is tested, tasted and refined, with the team regularly cupping and adjusting to balance acidity, sweetness and body.
More than just a roastery, Ripe Coffee brings people together through great coffee, fresh food and a welcoming space. Their approach is grounded in building relationships, from coffee growers and suppliers through to loyal customers, delivering quality that reflects both craft and community.
Uniplas
Uniplas is a Lower Hutt–based manufacturer specialising in precision plastic injection moulding and product development.
With roots dating back to 1958, the company has grown into a trusted partner for businesses across New Zealand and beyond, delivering innovative and reliable manufacturing solutions.
At the core of Uniplas is an end-to-end process that transforms ideas into real-world products. From 3D design and prototyping through to toolmaking and full-scale production, the team combines advanced technology with decades of engineering expertise to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
With a strong focus on sustainability, local manufacturing and precision engineering, Uniplas plays a key role in New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector, helping bring innovative products to life.
froth Technologies
Froth Technologies is a Lower Hutt–based innovation story helping reshape New Zealand’s brewing industry.
Founded in 2018, the company was created to produce fresh, high-quality liquid yeast locally, reducing reliance on imports and giving brewers better, more consistent results.
What started in a shared kitchen has grown into New Zealand’s first dedicated yeast lab, supplying breweries, distillers and beverage makers nationwide.
Froth combines science with hands-on industry knowledge to develop reliable and innovative yeast strains tailored to local conditions.
With a focus on sustainability and local production, Froth Technologies is supporting a more resilient, future-focused food and beverage sector in Aotearoa.