Apples delivered with a side of biodiversity
Date: 11 Aug 2017Most people might assume organic growing methods are better for biodiversity, but a new study by Plant & Food Research scientists shows a different approach can work just as well. Dr Louise Malone led a Plant & Food Research study comparing the biodiversity of modern, best-practice commercial apple orchards with organic orchards. “The results were good – surprisingly good,” she says. The survey of plants and 210,000 insects caught in traps in 15 Hawke’s ... more
Fonterra Brands Takanini hosts senior school students for a site visit
Date: 11 Aug 2017Students and teacher from Saint Kentigern College In August, Fonterra Brands Takanini hosted site visits by senior students and teachers from Rosehill College, Alfriston College and Saint Kentigern College, to give them an insight into science, technology and engineering careers in the food processing industry. NZIFST, Massey University and Futureintech helped the company with organisation and resources. The visitors met team members with science, technology and engineering ... more
Setting new standards in Senior Lifestyle Cuisine
Date: 26 Jul 2017Marc Soper is used to creating sensational dishes for high-paying guests at the luxury Wharekauhau Country Estate in Wairarapa. Now, the multi-award winning executive chef, who was also crowned Chef of the Capital in both 2015 and 2016, is going to bring his exacting standards to bear as a judge of the 2017 New Zealand Senior Lifestyle Cuisine cooking competition at the NZ Hospitality Championships in Auckland on Sunday 30 July. For Marc, it’s a great opportunity to find out how ... more
Skills shortage reaching crisis levels in the service industry
Date: 19 Jul 2017There’s a skill shortage looming in the service industry that’s going to affect all New Zealanders, across all regions, and visitors to our country. “Without scaremongering, there’s a very real crisis around the corner. It puts our successful service sectors at risk, and unless things change soon, New Zealand will be worse for it,” says Dean Minchington, Chief Executive Officer for ServiceIQ, Industry Training Organisation for the tourism, hospitality, ... more
The FoodBowl - making a difference for NZ
Date: 18 Jul 2017New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland, known as The FoodBowl, is more essential than ever in fostering innovative ideas into commercial success as the country’s food and beverage sector advances toward value-added, premium, prepared food. New Zealand’s Food Innovation Network is a national network of science and technology resources, funded largely by Callaghan Innovation, and is supporting the growth of the food and beverage sector and promoting innovative food science. The ... more
Innovation vital to success of horticulture
Date: 14 Jul 2017Innovation will be key to the on-going success of the horticulture industry, says Dr Bruce Campbell, recipient of the 2017 Horticulture New Zealand Industry Service Award. Dr Campbell, Chief Operating Officer of Plant & Food Research, was recognised with the Award at this week’s Horticulture New Zealand conference, where he issued a challenge for the industry to continue building science and innovation into their strategies to meet the demands of the future. “Science ... more
Fast-tracking health products
Date: 2 Jun 2017A new collaboration between Anagenix and Plant & Food Research will see health and wellness products based on New Zealand science fast-tracked to the international market. The Innovation Cell is a new co-investment business model whereby Anagenix, a New Zealand-based small business, will launch new natural ingredients for consumer products, based on Plant & Food Research science, into the market at an early stage. The marketing stories for these products will develop over time ... more
‘Grain Technology for Consumer Nutrition’, the 67th Australasian Grain Science Conference
Date: 31 May 2017Under the theme ‘Grain Technology for Consumer Nutrition ’, the 67th Australasian Grain Science Conference will bring together scientific and technical experts with a focus on grain breeding, processing, nutrition and consumer foods in a truly international event celebrating grain science and technology. Hot topics include: • ‘Utilisation of transgenic methods for plant breeding reflecting on practice and regulations in Australasia and beyond’ Hosted by AACCi, ... more
Silver lining to skills shortage
Date: 22 May 2017News of skills shortages, particularly a need for 200,000 more people working within the service sectors, continues to make headlines. Now, six of New Zealand’s regions have solid data for decision making as well as some concrete actions to help solve the problem. ServiceIQ has released Regional Roadmaps and Action Plans for Northland, Bay of Plenty, Queenstown-Lakes and Otago & Southland. Christchurch City also has a roadmap and plan, as does Auckland’s tourism ... more
Breeding blue cod brings new possibilities
Date: 5 May 2017Scientists have managed to successfully breed blue cod for the first time, a milestone that will support the development of a new aquaculture industry for New Zealand. In association with Ngāi Tahu Seafood Ltd, the Seafood Technologies team at Plant & Food Research in Nelson are investigating how to breed different species of native fish in captivity, building knowledge of the conditions required for the fish to successfully reproduce. For the first time, they have managed ... more
