The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited

🌍🎙️ New #PeoplePlanetFood podcast episode out now! Join us as Roger Robson-Williams PhD chats with Mike Casey about his journey to produce cherries without fossil fuels and his work as the driving force behind Rewiring Aotearoa🌱🍒 In this episode, Mike reveals what it takes to build a fully electrified orchard and how farmers and growers can meet the rising demand for renewable energy. ⚡️🌿 Plus, learn how Rewiring Aotearoa is helping Kiwis reduce carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and keep homes warm with resilient, clean energy solutions. 💡💚 Tune in now to explore the future of energy and food production! Listen on our website https://lnkd.in/gCBd2Pm6 or on your usual podcast app. #plantandfood #RewiringAotearoa #scigest

I was privileged to speak alongside Volker Kuntzsch at the Aquaculture New Zealand conference in sunny Nelson today. It was the first time we have stood side-by-side talking about the role we collectively play in the future. The event was kicked off with plenty of energy from Minister Shane Jones and Nelson mayor Nick Smith. Today was my first time at an aquaculture conference and the energy, optimism (helped largely by Government approving fast tracking consents and looking to make the process much easier going forward) and also a dose of realism of the challenges associated with the opportunities ahead. The conference has over 400 attendees and a lot of very engaging speakers. Volker and I spoke to our belief that aquaculture is one of the major areas that can support NZ's ambition of doubling the value of exports. We believe the fisheries sector can grow from ~$2.5b today up to $10b+. To realise this growth potential, we (Government, industry, science sector, investors) need to invest in research, infrastructure and building markets. NZ has some fantastic examples of sustained growth (Dairy growing from $2b to >$20b, kiwifruit growing from $1b to $4b) and one thing these have in common is investment in research, infrastructure and markets - we can't just do one of these, we must do all three to be successful. Volker also talked passionately about the breadth of opportunity in aquaculture, from whole seafood to valuable components, and even the potential value of turning the bad (toxins) into good (for medical). When you couple this with the opportunity to build and export technologies and intellectual property, there are a lot of reasons to believe that $10b+ is possible! One of the other areas that Volker and I spoke about is the challenges in science system funding. The countless hours preparing applications for funding and the joy (and heartbreak) associated with the outcomes of these. The current system means that a lot of us are forced to compete for the same funding and invest huge amounts of resource in just preparing applications (not completely wasted activity), this can't be the best use of our brilliant scientists time. Volker and I have committed to ensuring The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited and Cawthron Institute work far more collaboratively on bids (or on not entering bids if we know the other is planning to) and programmes going forward (we are already pretty good). We committed to ensuring that we continue to drive for the biggest impact for NZ from the scarce funding that is available and to spend more time on how we can add value, rather than how to compete for funding. Aquaculture New Zealand

🎉 Congratulations to Ian McIvor on his Significant Contribution Award from Beef + Lamb New Zealand 🎉 We are proud to celebrate Ian’s well-deserved recognition at the Beef + Lamb Awards for his outstanding contributions to New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector. Ian, part of our Cropping Systems and Environment team, received the Alliance Significant Contribution Award for his work in soil conservation. Through his extensive research on the use of poplar and willow trees for soil stabilisation and erosion control, Ian’s science has strengthened farm production and resilience across the country, particularly in New Zealand’s hill country. The judges highlighted how recent weather events demonstrated the value of Ian's work, as many well-planted farms successfully weathered the storms thanks to the initiatives he championed. As one of the founders of soil conservation in New Zealand, Ian’s impact has touched countless farming operations—often without the farmers knowing the man behind the science. The award was accepted on Ian’s behalf by Sally Lee, General Manager of the Poplar and Willow Research Trust, at the awards dinner on October 10th in Hamilton. #plantandfood

Our Bee Biology & Productivity Team at Plant & Food Research is exploring the connection between Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, & honey bee behaviour. Recent observations have revealed fascinating patterns in bee activity that align with the lunar phases, offering valuable insights for beekeepers. 🐝🌕 Maramataka is the Māori lunar calendar and literally translates as ‘moon rotating’. Maramataka is an environmental indicator that can be used to guide predictions of natural phenomena such as ideal planting/harvesting times and behavioural patterns of animals (e.g., fish and tuna (eels)). For example, traditional growing practices identify te rākau-nui, the full moon, and the best time to plant kūmara. Maramataka can also be looked to for predictions of the energy levels people may feel in response to each moon phase, like high energy during the full moon for example. Recently, a maramataka framework has been proposed for honey bees, Apis mellifera, that has potential to support practical decision-making for beekeepers. This past year the Bee Biology and Productivity Team expanded this work by systematically observing colony behaviours over time to investigate potential alignments with the lunar cycle. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/484w3GN #plantandfood

We are proud to congratulate our Principal Scientist, Brent Clothier, on being awarded the prestigious Chinese Government Friendship Award in Beijing on 30 September. This is the People's Republic of China’s highest recognition for foreign experts who have made exceptional contributions to the country’s economic and social development. Brent has worked with Chinese collaborators for nearly 20 years, having especially close links to Beijing Forestry University (BJFU) and China Agricultural University where he holds Adjunct Distinguished Professor positions. Brent has published more than 20 papers with Chinese collaborators on soil-water dynamics, plant physiology, plant water-use, climate change, and water resources. Brent was elected an Academician (International) of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2019, the only Academician from Aotearoa New Zealand. Established in 1991, some 1900 foreign experts have been presented Friendship Awards, including Plant & Food Research’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Ian Ferguson.

🌍 It’s World Iron Awareness Week! Did you know iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, especially for women and children here in Aotearoa? Iron is crucial for brain and immune health, boosting energy, and helping to transport oxygen throughout our bodies. Dr Carolyn Lister, Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research and 5+ A Day Trustee, shares a helpful tip: you can maximise the absorption of iron from your meals by eating fruit and veggies! 🍽️ "Vitamin C can enhance the absorption of non-heme iron (from plant foods) by up to two to three times when eaten together. Any fruit or vegetable will give you some vitamin C, but great sources include kiwifruit, citrus, capsicum, berries (especially blackcurrants and strawberries), brassica veggies like broccoli, and leafy greens like kale and watercress." #plantandfood #worldironweek #5adaynz

We are thrilled to announce that Next Generation Apples Sassy™ Apples has been awarded the New Zealand Food Awards Primary Sector Award, proudly sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)! 🎉🍎 This outstanding new apple variety is the result of years of dedication and collaboration. Developed by Plant & Food Research Limited and commercialised by Prevar, Sassy™ Apples are grown by Next Generation Apples Golden Bay Fruit Taylor Corp. The judging panel praised this exceptional variety for its: 🍎 Crisp texture and high flavour 🍎 Unique skin and flesh colour 🍎 Optimal harvest maturity 🍎 Strong pest and disease resistance 🍎 Long shelf life that helps reduce food waste This award is fantastic recognition of the power of innovation and research in Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary sector. Congratulations to the team behind this exceptional apple variety! #plantandfood #NZFoodAwards #sassyapples

Celebrating collaboration and innovation! We're so proud to see ZealaFoam® win the PwC New Zealand Breakthrough Project category at the 2024 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards! Huge congratulations to Sarah Heine and everyone involved in bringing this 100% plant-based alternative to polystyrene to life. ZealaFoam® is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration. This innovative product, developed by the Biopolymer Network (a joint venture between ourselves, AgResearch, and Scion), is not only sustainable but versatile, with uses ranging from moulded packaging to eco-friendly bean bag fill and loose fill packaging. Great things come from working together, and this award is a fantastic recognition of the collective effort to create a more sustainable future. #plantandfood #smartgreenfuturetogether

Great to see STELLAR™ - the world’s first early-season apple variety specifically bred for hot and warming climates - launched at Fruit Attraction in Madrid today. Developed by the Hot Climate Partnership (HCP), IRTA, Plant & Food Research, FruitFutur A.I.E. and VentureFruit®,  STELLAR™ is expected to be chosen by growers around the world who want to offer consumers fresh apples with great flavour, texture and appearance in the middle of summer and despite the high temperatures. #plantandfood

🌼🐝 During Bee Aware Month, Ashley Mortensen was invited to give a lunchtime seminar on honey bees at Analytica Laboratories | Part of ALS Limited. Following this, we hosted 15 of the Analytica Laboratories team to our Ruakura apiaries. Led by James Sainsbury and Rafael Campos, the group explored hive structures and the vital role bees play in pollination and biodiversity. Great to connect with Analytica Labs for BeeAware Month. 🐝🌸 #plantandfood #beeawarenz24