New Zealand was the first country to import commercial quantities of fresh irradiated produce in 2004. There has been a steady growth in volumes and types of imported irradiated produce each year, particularly in the last two years, since the approval of phytosanitary irradiation for all fruit and vegetables by the regulator of food irradiation, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). X-ray is the preferred irradiation source for phytosanitary irradiation in New Zealand, however, there are no X-ray irradiation facilities capable of Research and Development (R&D) or commercial irradiation of fresh produce. Horticultural phytosanitary irradiation R&D is carried out by The New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research (PFR). Objectives of an X-ray Working Group at PFR set objectives to: 1) Scope the feasibility of establishing an X-ray facility at PFR for R&D phytosanitary irradiation; 2) Source an X-ray R&D unit that can treat trays of fruit in a uniform and timely manner; 3) Collaborate with overseas researchers and commercial X-ray facilities in Hawaii and Melbourne, to determine the impact of X-rays on apple and persimmon fruit quality; 4) Determine the impact of irradiation on diapausing apple leaf-curling midge; 5) Assess the response of retailers and consumers to purchasing X-ray treated produce; 6) Participate in international projects, conferences and workshops to establish a knowledge base and access a regional network of expertise in E-beam/X-ray technology to support R&D. Here we report on progress establishing linkages and research with international commercial and research collaborators, and engagement with NZ stakeholders and consumers, which has placed PFR in a strong position to capitalise on use of an R&D X-ray system.