Media Release: Export growth, regulatory pressures drive expansion of inspection and certification services for Hill Labs

From 1 April 2026, the joint venture auditing and inspection services company formed by Hill Labs and auditing specialist, Samuel Brooks, will begin operating under a single, nationally recognised brand: Hill Labs.

The joint venture, established in February 2025, remains a separate entity but will integrate its services with Hill Labs’ testing business. The move reflects New Zealand’s strong export performance and growing regulatory complexity across the food, dairy and hospitality sectors, driving demand for independent assurance and certification.

Hill Labs Managing Director Jonno Hill says the brand amalgamation is the logical next step after a successful first year of operation.

“Our joint venture has performed strongly. We’ve seen solid uptake from industry.  Customers have responded positively to increased competition in the market. Bringing these inspection and certification services under the Hill Labs brand gives customers further clarity and confidence.”

Export-led demand reshaping compliance sector

The expansion comes as compliance requirements continue to underpin New Zealand’s growing primary sector exports.

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 2025 Situation and Outlook report, primary sector export revenue reached $60.4 billion in the year to 30 June 2025, up 13 percent year-on-year, and is forecast to rise to $62.0 billion by June 2026.

“As New Zealand exports grow, the need for independent verification grows with them. Market access requirements are becoming more complex, and producers need reliable and responsive auditing partners to maintain trade confidence,” says Hill Labs Inspection and Certification CEO Samuel Brooks.

Hill Labs provides auditing services to dairy manufacturers and food exporters, assessing their food safety systems against legislative requirements and market access standards.  Audits span supply chains from farm, through processing and storage to export readiness. The work supports the release of products for shipment and supports compliance with domestic retail and international market expectations.

Industry demand is also driving a desire for greater competition in inspection and certification service providers.

“Customers want choice. Competition in our sector improves consistency and value, and helps strengthen confidence in the overall compliance industry,” Samuel Brooks says.

Hospitality growth driving regional inspection services

Outside the export sector, demand for inspection services is also rising in the regions due to continued, moderate growth of the hospitality industry.

Hospitality New Zealand reports the sector reached $15.99 billion in annual sales by mid-2025, with business numbers continuing to increase despite economic pressures.

“This growth is placing pressure on some territorial local authorities’ ability to keep up with inspection capacity. Hill Labs provides inspection services on behalf of councils, including food safety verifications, alcohol licensing, and environmental health services,” says Samuel Brooks.

“Councils sometimes face staffing shortages in specialised compliance roles,” he says.  “The Hill Labs team acts as a supportive extension of a council’s in-house capability, helping them keep communities safe while remaining responsive to growth.”

In addition to supporting territorial local authorities with regulatory inspections and backlog clearance, Hill Labs’ inspection and compliance team works with organisations who are preparing meals in-house for vulnerable people, such as retirement village operators and early childhood education providers. 

Full Testing, Inspection and Compliance capability

The integration of inspection and compliance services alongside Hill Labs testing services effectively positions the company within the global Testing, Inspection and Compliance (TIC) sector. The TIC model allows Hill Labs to provide end-to-end assurance for regulated industries.

“Customers increasingly want a single trusted partner. Larger customers who require the full spectrum of these services can now test with us, verify with us, and demonstrate compliance with us. That continuity improves reliability across the process,” says Jonno Hill.

Growth and recruitment underway

Samuel says the inspection and certification business is currently recruiting experienced specialists from across multiple sectors as demand for auditing services increases nationwide.

The combined Hill Labs group now employs approximately 550 people, with seasonal workforces increasing to as many as 700 during peak testing periods.

Acquisition strategy signals further expansion

Jonno Hill says the joint venture with Samuel is indicative of the company’s broader business strategy. “Strategic acquisitions are now a key part of our growth trajectory. We expect to make further acquisition announcements in the coming years as we continue building capability around customers’ testing and compliance needs.”