The Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) offers a 15% tax credit on eligible R&D activity, helping New Zealand businesses reduce the cost of innovation while strengthening Aotearoa’s wider economy.

Sabina Patel will guide members through how the RDTI works, who can apply, and what qualifies as R&D under the scheme.

For distilleries, this incentive can apply to a wide range of R&D activities – developing or improving current product and/or processes, and solving scientific or technological uncertainty. If your team is pushing boundaries or solving technical challenges, you may be doing eligible R&D.

This webinar is designed to help DSA members understand the opportunity, navigate the application process with confidence, and make the most of the support available.

Sabina Patel, Customer Engagement Specialist at MBIE has over three years working directly with the RDTI. With a strong background in chemistry and food science, Sabina brings hands-on expertise in formulation, packaging, and process development and improvement. She’ll break down what truly qualifies as R&D, unpack common misconceptions, and share practical steps producers can take to access support for experimentation and innovation