The Chelsea Sugar Factory Technical Site Tour

Step inside one of New Zealand’s most iconic industrial sites and discover how raw sugar is transformed into the products Kiwis know and love. The Chelsea Sugar Factory Technical Tour is a fully guided, immersive experience that takes you behind the scenes of NZ’s only sugar refinery. You’ll travel through the working factory, see the wondrous Sugar Mountain in the raw sugar store, visit the Melt House to learn about the first stages of production, and explore the Pan Station, where sugar is crystallised and finished.

In addition to tracing the full production journey, the tour also offers insights tailored to manufacturers and exporters. You’ll see how the refinery operates as a modern, sustainable industrial site, with systems and equipment designed to reduce energy use and optimise efficiency. As an EECA engaged facility, Chelsea continues to invest in energy efficient technologies, carbon reduction initiatives, and advanced process monitoring to enhance both performance and environmental outcomes. Attendees will gain a rare view into how machinery is managed and operated to minimise waste, improve thermal efficiency, and support responsible manufacturing and export practices.

Along the way, you’ll learn why the Birkenhead site was chosen more than 130 years ago, experience the sounds and scale of real operating machinery, and finish with a tasting of Chelsea’s delicious syrups. Whether you're fascinated by engineering, manufacturing, logistics, sustainability, or food production, this tour delivers a rare look into a uniquely Kiwi industrial powerhouse.

Why attend — what you’ll gain:

• See NZ’s only operating sugar refinery end to end
• Insights tailored to manufacturers and exporters
• Sustainability in practice (EECA engaged site)
• Operational takeaways you can apply
• Focused networking with peers (manufacturers & exporters)
• Historic context + product experience
• Small group format for better access

Post Tour Networking
Connect with fellow manufacturers and exporters over light refreshments and nibbles after the tour. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share industry insights, and explore how the sustainability practices and efficiency gains showcased at the refinery could be applied within your own organisation.

Limited Spaces:
Please note that attendance is limited. The tour can accommodate up to 30 people, split into two groups running at the same time.

Price:
- Members: $0
- Non-Members: $99.00+GST

This event is run in partnership with EECA.