8 | Lineage NZ T T Kim Newth Quality cold storage vital for exports Lineage has invested strongly to support the food supply chain at strategic locations throughout New Zealand. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing, Lineage is playing a critical role in supporting New Zealand’s primary sector with sophisticated, and export-focused cold storage services. With integrated facilities in Auckland, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru and Dunedin, Lineage services fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) trade activity while also providing a platform for export growth. Lineage has invested strongly to support the food supply chain at strategic locations throughout New Zealand. In Auckland, Lineage delivers smart cold storage services at Wiri, complementing other temperature-controlled facilities in the Tauranga area. In 2022, Lineage acquired Cold Storage Nelson and the following year opened a new next-gen cold storage facility at Tauriko, Tauranga. In 2025, Lineage opened a new cold storage facility in Hawke’s Bay. Lineage also plans to build consolidated temperature controlled warehouse facilities at Rolleston by the regional IPORT business park as customer demand grows. “We have a population of only five million but produce enough food to feed 40 million, so the export market is huge for New Zealand,” explains Sarah Williamson, Lineage Regional Vice President for New Zealand. “Lineage has 488 facilities in 19 countries, so it’s a big global operator. In New Zealand, we employ approximately 500 people and have more than 25 facilities in seven regions, catering predominantly for the export market encompassing marine, agricultural, horticultural and manufacturing products.” In New Zealand’s growing export sector, industry-leading cold storage facilities provide a vital link in the supply chain for perishable goods. Lineage’s global network connects exporters with leading cold storage facilities in key destination markets. New Zealand’s food and fibre sector export revenue increased 13% in 202425, with further growth forecast this year. According to MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report, food and fibre export revenue is expected to rise 3% to $62 billion in the year to 30 June 2026 as a result of forecast volume lifts for dairy, forestry and horticulture products, and rising prices for meat products. “For Lineage, it feels good to be a part of New Zealand’s export story. We understand how much work goes into producing products for export and we treat those products with care and respect,” says Sarah. “We work with many great New Zealand companies. For instance, our newest cold store in Hawke’s Bay is a 5500 pallet facility for ZIWI, a high end pet food company; it was a bespoke build for them.” She notes there is considerable complexity involved in how various food products are chilled for storage. For example, for potatoes, temperatures must be gradually lowered and lights gradually dimmed to keep them in top condition. On the other hand, meat products invariably go through a blast chiller and are frozen over a couple of days. Lineage facilities cater to various requirements by providing optimal cold storage processes and conditions tailored to the product. New Zealand’s food exports must meet MPI standards around food safety processes. Products handled by Lineage go through an additional external audit process too, providing further assurance on food safety standards and ensuring products meet required export certifications. As an industry innovator, Lineage constantly looks for ways to improve systems and processes, with AI-powered computer vision technology set to have tangible applications in markets like New Zealand. “It makes receiving pallets much faster and really accurate. It can also streamline decisions around where pallets go in the warehouse. It is AI-based technology developed in the US, but we can make use of that pipeline of innovation in New Zealand too.” Lineage is focused on sustainability in its operations through initiatives like investment in renewable solar energy. Reducing food waste is another key priority. For example, at one point in 2025, Lineage worked with a customer to divert more than 1200 pallets of food to a secondary food network for redistribution. “We are aligned with the New Zealand Food Network and partner with local food banks too.”
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