Hi Kiwis!
Hope I'm not causing a problem but I directed a local (to you) Reprap guy called Cameron Shields who was looking for some filament supplies for 3D printing on the Facebook Reprap group.
Anyway, I had this crazy notion that you Kiwis could make your own PLA, and maybe export to Japan, seeing as you grow a fair bit of maize (corn on the cob) and Nippon grows practically none.
Those fellers are probably worth approaching for technical support as they have earthquake problems too and NZ is closer for transport than the US, which subsidizes food crops (boo! hiss!)
Snag - the guy is only 15. Is he OK going into a pub so long as he sticks to shandy?