Meet the Team - Amrutha Elamurugan
Posted on Tuesday, 19 August 2025
Meet Amrutha Elamurugan
Product and Process Technologist at ANZCO Foods Waitara
Originally from the southern part of India, Amrutha came to New Zealand in 2019 to complete her Master’s in Food Technology at Massey University in Palmerston North. The programme was a mix of practical and research-based learning, and it was during this time that she became involved in a project comparing the digestibility of meat versus plant-based alternatives. To her surprise, meat came out on top in terms of digestibility – sparking an unexpected but lasting interest in New Zealand’s primary industries.
After graduating, she stepped straight into manufacturing with RJ’s Licorice in Levin. She loved the fast pace of confectionery production, where no two days were the same and she was constantly on her feet. From there, she moved to Fonterra Research and Development Centre, where she contributed to sustainable packaging initiatives.
In January she relocated to New Plymouth along with her partner who is currently an assistant lecturer at Massey University and working towards his PhD. She joined ANZCO as a Product and Process Technologist and has now been in the role for seven months. She says one of the biggest surprises has been the team culture and loves how everyone is so inclusive and supportive. She says people pitch in and help each other out and she’s enjoying learning so much.
Day to day, she works closely with the AGF - Jerky production team, ingredient suppliers and customers to develop new products and improve existing processes on site. She enjoys the creativity and collaboration that comes with this part of her role, and says it makes her job “so much fun”.
Outside of work, she describes herself as a bit of a homebody – happiest with a good Netflix session and something delicious to eat. She’s a self-confessed foodie and loves trying new dishes but also makes time for road trips and outdoor adventures. Having covered most of the North Island (with New Plymouth surprisingly one of the last places she visited), she’s still keen to tick Gisborne off the list and is looking forward to exploring the South Island next. She also likes to keep up a regular gym routine.
Fun facts:
- Pepsi or Coca-Cola?
Vanilla Pepsi - Favourite vegetable?
Kumara - Favourite thing to have for dinner?
Loaded kumara or potato with mince, or roast chicken - What would your superpower be?
Mind-reading or being able to listen to everything - If you could instantly learn any language, what would it be?
My husband speaks Malayalam and I speak Tamil, so it would be good to be able to speak Malayalam. I'd also like to be able to speak Spanish. - What's your go-to karaoke song?
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion - Favourite TV show of all time?
Better Call Saul