PODCAST

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited

Welcome to Scigest - podcast-sized servings of digestible science from the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Join us as we explore the advancements and impact our scientists are making in advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products. Listen to our scientists as they share and discuss current research in Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond

science natural sciences

All Episodes

Crafting a crunch - Building the JAZZ™ & ENVY™ apple...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/11/18

In the spring of 1985, a pivotal breeding cross produced two of New Zealand’s most successful apple varieties —Scifresh and Scilate — later commercialised and marketed by T&G Global as JAZZ™ and ENVY™ apples. This pioneering work at the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s (formerly DSIR’s) Hawke’s Bay research orchard led to commercial partner T&G Global licensing the varieties and taking them to consumers around the world. Since then, JAZZ™ and ENVY™ apples have enjoyed remarkable global success,

en-nz

Crafting a crunch - 40 years of apple innovation (FTL)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/11/04

In the spring of 1985, a pivotal breeding cross produced two of New Zealand’s most successful apple varieties —Scifresh and Scilate— later commercialised and marketed by T&G Global as JAZZ™ and Envy™ apples. This pioneering work at the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s (formerly DSIR’s) Hawke’s Bay research orchard led to commercial partner T&G Global licensing the varieties and taking them to consumers around the world. Since then, JAZZ™ and Envy™ apples have enjoyed remarkable global success,

en-nz

Protecting a plant with PVR (FTL)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/10/05

When you go to the supermarket, you’ll find lots of different varieties of fruits and vegetables. Many people have a favourite apple, kiwifruit, potato or tomato variety, something that tastes particularly good or fits with their lifestyle. What you probably don’t realise is that behind each of these varieties is a whole suite of protection for the breeder, the grower and the marketer, giving them certain legal rights. Emma Brown is the General Manager, Plant Varieties at the Bioeconomy Science

en-nz

Nature, hunger and food waste with Iain Lees-Galloway...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/09/21

Feed people, not landfill. Around 30% of food grown for human consumption never gets eaten, yet thousands still go hungry. What role does food rescue play in resolving the conundrum of providing healthy, enjoyable, affordable nutrition within Planetary Boundaries? In this episode host Roger Robson-Williams chats with Iain Lees-Galloway, the General Manager of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance. They discuss the relationship between humans and the environment, and they celebrate the work of volunteers

en-nz

The science of biofoul and making the most of a bad...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/09/07

From shellfish and seaweeds to tiny amphipods, biofouling is the stubborn layer of life that clings to boats and marine structures, creating costly maintenance challenges. While some chemical treatments can help control biofouling, many of these chemicals pose risks to other marine life. This week, host Julie Blommaert speaks with Research Technologist Peter Bell about his research into smarter, safer ways to tackle biofouling and how what’s often dismissed as “brown sludge” could be put to good

en-nz

Intellectual property in science (BTS)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/08/24

How do you take a brilliant scientific idea and turn it into something that makes a real difference in the world? The answer often starts with intellectual property (IP).For decades, Plant & Food Research, part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, has been protecting and growing the value of its science through IP, helping discoveries move from the lab to industry and society, establishing the organisation as a leader in intellectual asset protection within Aotearoa New Zealand’s science

en-nz

Silent Spring, Star Wars, and sustainable business (PPF)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/08/10

What is sustainability, and how can businesses contribute to it? Why do many larger organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand align with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC)?In this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams is joined by Jay Crangle and Mike Burrell from the SBC to explore these questions, sparked by the recent merger of four Crown Research Institutes into the new Bioeconomy Science Institute—an organisation of over 2,000 people with an annual revenue of around $0.5 billion. Jay and

en-nz

Sue Muggleston: Protecting ideas, powering discovery...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/07/28

Securing intellectual property (IP) for our research is now a vital aspect of science delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand, though this was not always the case. In this episode of Scigest, Hilary Ireland speaks with Sue Muggleston, the recently retired IP Manager at Plant & Food Research, who played a key role in shaping the organisation’s approach to protecting and commercialising its scientific discoveries. With a career spanning science, science communication, and leading the IP strategy at Plant &

en-nz

A natural defence for vineyard pests (BDIS)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/07/13

Mealybugs may be tiny, but they’re causing big problems for Aotearoa New Zealand’s wine industry by spreading the destructive Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3).

en-nz

Using AI to help create new plant proteins (NT)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/06/29

In this episode of Scigest, we delve into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of utilising artificial intelligence in science. Host and senior scientist Dr Jay Jayaraman chats with researcher Sarah Philp-Wright about her work on developing novel plant proteins with the help of AI. They discuss powerful tools such as RoseTTAFold, AlphaFold, and RFdiffusion, and their potential to reshape agriculture. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of food and the science behind

en-nz

Up-beet about sustainable sugar (PPF)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/06/15

Grab a cuppa and prepare to be recharged by this high-energy chat with Dr Vicky Foster about the British sugar industry. Vicky has held various leadership roles within the UK food system, most recently as Head of the British Beet Research Organisation. In this episode of People|Planet|Food, host Roger Robson-Williams talks with Vicky about how the resilient sugar beet plant turns sunlight into sweetness. They also explore the innovative ways in which the co-products of sugar beet processing – such

en-nz

Packing a punch for sustainability (PPF)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/06/03

Fancy a sprinkle of positivity? Then check out this conversation with Sarah Lei, Head of Sustainability at Trevelyan's Pack & Cool Ltd., an understated leader in the kiwifruit industry. Hear from Sarah about how her experience as an engineer and yoga teacher informs her approach to making a large kiwifruit packhouse an exemplar of sustainable business in action. Challenges include upgrading ageing refrigeration, improving energy use efficiency, and reducing waste to landfill. All of this requires a

en-nz

People, planet, kiwifruit – with Rachel Depree (PPF)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/05/18

What does it take to deliver sustainable livelihoods for growers, green international shipping, and support healthy nutrition around the globe? In this episode of People Planet Food, host Roger Robson-Williams talks to Rachel Depree, Executive Officer for Sustainability at Zespri International – the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit – to explore these and other topics.Rachel shares her journey to leading sustainability in one of Aotearoa’s biggest export industries and offers thoughtful

en-nz

Under the Skin – Perfecting Nature’s Packaging (FTL)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/05/05

The skin of fruit serves more than just a protective barrier; it acts as nature’s packaging—the first element we notice, touch, and often judge. In this episode, scientist and host Hilary Ireland chats with molecular scientist Mikaela Douglas to explore what lies beneath the surface of fruit skins. They discuss how genetic research is enabling scientists to refine the appearance, texture, and functionality of fruit skins to better appeal to consumers, enhance health benefits, reduce pesticide use,

en-nz

Trust, tech and the table: the future of food with...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/04/22

Food futurist Jack Bobo joins scientist Hilary Ireland to explore the future of food production. From the impact of agriculture on the planet to the promise of new technologies like gene editing, Jack shares insights on how we can build sustainable food systems while earning consumer trust. With a background in law, policy and behavioural science, he unpacks the role of communication in shifting perceptions and tackling misinformation about what we eat and how it’s made. To view our full catalogue

en-nz

Mette Nielsen: The incredibly beautiful thrips! (SLFM)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/04/04

Most growers and home gardeners don't view thrips positively, but perhaps we could change your perspective. This week, data scientist and podcaster Tom Moore speaks to entomologist Mette Nielsen about her career in entomology, particularly her research on the many species of thrips in Aotearoa New Zealand. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

en-nz

Plant-based yoghurts (SITK)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/03/21

Most people are already familiar with products like oat milk and almond butter, but what about barley yoghurt? Scientists at Plant & Food Research are developing a new plant-based product: yoghurt made from barley grain.In this week's podcast, scientist and podcast host Rebecca Campbell speaks to food scientist Gert-Jan Moggre about this exciting project. The research involves trials using plant-based bacterial fermentation to create a delicious and well-textured yoghurt alternative. This

en-nz

Hope in turbulent times (PPF)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/03/06

People | Planet | Food - Host Roger Robson-Williams speaks with sustainability experts Saskia Verraes and Martin Rich about the future they aspire to create through their work. They discuss the encouraging signs of progress in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the globe.Amid rising illiberalism, increasing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and an unstable climate, this episode offers a chance to reflect on how we can cultivate a more prosperous future for everyone. It also celebrates some

en-nz

The challenge of gene editing a plant (NT)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/02/18

Gene editing is a new technology with the potential to breed new crops faster. With changing regulations worldwide on how gene editing can be incorporated into food production systems, what does it actually take to gene edit a plant crop?   This week Scigest host and scientist Jay Jayaraman speaks to Zac Hanley, GM Science – New Cultivar Innovation about the science of gene editing plants. They talk about the process of gene editing, some of the challenges in using the technology and how gene

en-nz

Bringing change through compost, carbon, and...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/01/23

People | Planet | Food – In this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams chats with friend and colleague Stephen Wallace, Sustainability Manager at AgResearch and Plant & Food Research,Stephen shares his journey into sustainability, sparked by a passion for the environment and early efforts to combat food waste in the workplace. He offers insights into his collaborations with senior leadership to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles, emphasising the importance of reducing gross

en-nz

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