Scientists studying the pollination of native plants have been surprised by the large number of insect visitors contributing to pollination, which bodes well for those planting native species on their farms. This week podcaster and scientist Dr Tom Moore speaks to Entomologist Brad Howlett who provides an update on this research project. The research findings helps to confirm the importance of native plantings in encouraging pollinating insects, and allows us to design plantings based on the...

In Marlborough’s Awatere Valley ground wētā are a common sight on some vineyards, burrowing in soft irrigated soil beneath the vines. Winemakers are keen to find ways to co-exist with this taonga species, including looking for sustainable solutions that could help prevent wētā from feasting on the tender foliage on grape vines during the crucial spring budburst. This week scientists and podcaster Nicola Sullivan speaks to crop protection entomologist Jessica Vereijessen about progress so far...

Scientists are working to find to a use for 1000s of unwanted starfish, which have been decimating mussel beds in Bay of Plenty’s Ōhiwa Harbour. In partnership with mana whenua, research institutes Waikato University, the Cawthron Institute and Plant & Food Research are working on a project that involves harvesting the starfish and using them to produce an anti-ageing skin cream. In this podcast Scigester Julie Blommaert speaks to Plant & Food Research’s Dr Mathew Cumming (Team...

When developing new food technologies and farming systems, it is critical to consider consumer attitudes towards these technologies. Plant & Food Research’s Future Urban Consumer programme has been digging deeper into how consumers in both New Zealand and our overseas export markets think and feel about different emerging food technologies, and the drivers behind those attitudes. In this podcast Hilary Ireland speaks to three members of the Future Urban Consumer team about this research...

Over his 45-year career, Dr Jim Walker has driven significant change in the horticultural sector, using his scientific expertise to develop innovative tools and techniques for managing pests and diseases, which have helped position Aotearoa New Zealand as a competitive and top-quality fruit-growing nation. Scigest host Rebecca Bloomer talks to Jim about the pivotal moments and milestones of his illustrious career and the challenges and the breakthroughs that have defined his legacy. To...

Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of marine science with Phd scientist Alex Leonard and new Scigest podcast host, Julie Blommaert. Learn how Alex's journey into marine science paved the way for her current work on fish collagen. This is Julie Blommaert's debut epsiode as a host of Scigest podcast! Based at our seafood science site in Nelson, Julie will bring more fascinating interviews on seafood science.

Cyclone Gabrielle was a devastating event that caused widespread damage to the pipfruit growing region of the Hawkes Bay. Today Rebecca Bloomer speaks to scientist Jim Walker and research orchard manager Peter Welch about the short and long term effects of the cyclone to our orchards and the whole industry. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra information on topics covered please go to our Scigest pages at www.plantandfood.com/scigest

In this episode we meet Dr. Roshan Khadka, who is working on a new way to power wearable health devices. Roshan's science journey started in his hometown of Kathmandu, Nepal before a PhD funded by Plant & Food Research led him to the University of Auckland in 2015. His work on sensor development contributed to the success of Plant & Food Research spin-out company, ScentianBio. Now, five years on Roshan is aiming to make waves in his new research space and also finding ways to...

In this Scigest episode we speak to Plant & Food Research’s new chief executive, Mark Piper. Mark joined the organisation three months ago after a 30 year stint at Fonterra, where he held leadership roles locally and in the US and Japan. Mark shares a bit about his background, his journey into science leadership as well as his first impressions of Plant & Food Research and his aspirations for the company. For more information and podcasts see our Scigest page on:...

In this podcast episode we meet Julie Bloomaert, a Post-doctoral Scientist at Plant & Food Research. Julie works in the Seafood Production group - with a background in biology and genetics she's aiming to improve snapper for aquaculture by understanding and utilizing their genetic traits. Julie's scientific curiosity was partly sparked by a field trip organised by one of her high school teachers and it led her to pursue a PhD in evolutionary biology in Austria. Having lived in many...

A journey into a science career can be fraught with many challenges along the way. Today we speak to Luna Hasna about her inspiring and multi hurdled journey - from a young girl in Bangladesh with a passion for science, to getting married and moving to Aotearoa New Zealand and how owning and running a kebab shop in Auckland eventually led to her dream career, working in the plant pathogens department at Plant & Food Research. To see some of Luna’s artwork see her Instagram feed:...

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) struggle to fund their research. With very few funding opportunities within New Zealand and high competition for them, most ECRs feel unprepared and uninformed about how and where to find funding at this critical stage of their careers. This episode aims to highlight funding opportunities in Aotearoa, with a specific focus on Rutherford fellowships and Marsden funds, and includes tips and tricks on how to be successful – tailored to ECRs. Links to ECR funding...

Indoor farming might be part of the solution to the global food security crisis, but how ready are we for this change in the way we produce fruit and vegetables? Scigest host Rebecca Bloomer sits down with Samantha Baldwin to chat about the highs and lows of indoor and vertical farming, what challenges this ‘new’ type of farming still faces, and what New Zealand is doing in this space.

Plant Pathologist Dr Bob Fullerton has improved horticulture and changed lives in developing countries for nearly 50 years. Bob sat down with Scigest while he was back in Aotearoa New Zealand to discuss his extensive and rewarding career. He talks about how his experience of growing up on a Queensland pineapple farm led him into international development work and how science can create opportunities to reduce poverty and improve lives. Links to learn more about the Dragon Fruit Network...

Imagine this – you have two hours to prove to a room of experts that your PhD research was good enough to land you a doctorate. Daunting, right? In this episode, Dr Yongyan Peng (Angel) joins ex-PhD students and newly minted Drs Erin Stroud and Hilary Ireland to chat about how they prepared for and successfully defended their theses. You’ll hear a play-by-play audio diary of Erin’s defence process and reflections from Erin and Hilary on the run-up to the examination day. If you are doing a...

Science careers can be diverse. How do you pick which path to follow? Starting out with a series of contract roles, Plant Physiology Scientist and PhD student Kris Kramer-Walter took the try-before-you-by approach. Scigest host Erin Stroud chats to Kris about his journey into a science career and the diverse range of roles he has had so far. From working in the laboratory to sifting through land purchase agreements to fieldwork in remote parts of the New Zealand bush, Kris shares his...

In today’s episode, scigest host Erin Stroud chats to her personal mentor Dr Priya Subramanian, Plant & Food Research’s Dr Jill Stanley, and Student Support Adviser for Māori and Pacific students Lizzie Tafili about the importance of mentoring. Acting as a how-to guide, this episode will help you find (and be) a good mentor, no matter what stage of your career you are at. For more podcasts from us: https://www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/scigest

Our host Erin Stroud chats to students Tom Parekowhai and Rāwinia Wikaira as they recount their summers in science. Tom and Rāwinia cover the types of projects summer students can get involved in at Plant & Food Research - spanning from protecting taonga trees to modelling apple orchards. Covering the highs and lows of working in science and the importance of creating safe space for Māori students, this episode is your go-to guide to being (or hosting) a summer student. For more podcasts...

While an invasion of creepy crawlies may be the stuff of nightmares, it could be a reality for New Zealand growers and gardening hobbyists. Fall armyworm has recently made its way to our shores and, under the right conditions, has the potential to wipe out crop plants overnight. In today’s episode, we chat to Frances MacDonald and Jordan Pickering about why Fall armyworm is a threat to Aotoearoa New Zealand, the role of scientists and individuals in biosecurity threat events, and what you...

While an invasion of creepy crawlies may be the stuff of nightmares, it could be a reality for New Zealand growers and gardening hobbyists. Fall armyworm has recently made its way to our shores and, under the right conditions, has the potential to wipe out crop plants overnight. In today’s episode, we chat to Frances MacDonald and Jordan Pickering about why Fall armyworm is a threat to Aotoearoa New Zealand, the role of scientists and individuals in biosecurity threat events, and what you...

Scientists from Plant & Food Research have been working with partners at the Southern Horticultural Research Institute in Viet Nam over the last decade on a joint dragon fruit breeding programme and have developed three new varieties. VentureFruit™ has joined the collaboration with exclusive global commercialisation rights to the first three varieties from the programme. Dr Satish Kumar chats to Scigest host Erin Stroud about his work in the dragon fruit breeding programme and how a...

Scientists from Plant & Food Research have been working with partners at the Southern Horticultural Research Institute in Viet Nam over the last decade on a joint dragon fruit breeding programme and have developed three new varieties. VentureFruit™ has joined the collaboration with exclusive global commercialisation rights to the first three varieties from the programme. Dr Satish Kumar chats to Scigest host Erin Stroud about his work in the dragon fruit breeding programme and how a...

Nighttime cricket calls might be the soundtrack of summer, but for farmers, it's not a noise they want to hear. In this Scigest episode, entomologist Sophie Hunt and Northland kumara grower Warwick Simpson talk about how black crickets are a pest for farmers, damaging crops and pastures; and their acoustic cricket call trap, an innovative new tool to help reduce the number of these pests.

Nighttime cricket calls might be the soundtrack of summer, but for farmers, it's not a noise they want to hear. In this Scigest episode, entomologist Sophie Hunt and Northland kumara grower Warwick Simpson talk about how black crickets are a pest for farmers, damaging crops and pastures; and their acoustic cricket call trap, an innovative new tool to help reduce the number of these pests.

Scientist and Scigest podcaster Rebecca Bloomer talks fellow scientist Tom Moore about her journey into science, asking interesting biological questions, how curiosity can drive science communications, and the importance of good support networks. In 2022, Rebecca was recognised with the Plant & Food Research Early Career Researcher award at the Science New Zealand Awards.