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

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Tree talk: Establishing natives and managing wilding...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2026/03/23

Indigenous trees are vital for environmental health and biodiversity, and Aotearoa New Zealand has bold plans to re-establish them. Scientist and Scigest host Nicola Sullivan talks to invasion ecologist and establishing indigenous forests portfolio lead Tom Carlin about this work and why managing the spread of wilding pines is a key part of it. For links to a Farmers Weekly podcast on "Bringing down the cost of planting natives" and a Newsroom article on wilding pines in the South Island high

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The Arctic Apple story (NT)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2026/03/09

Arctic Apples are one of the first fruits globally developed using gene technologies. Available for consumers in the USA since 2017, the Arctic series includes a modified gene that stops apples browning, making them perfect for a pre-sliced snack. Okanagan Specialty Fruits, the developers of Arctic Apples, are looking at how they can incorporate new gene technologies into their product development. Scientist and podcaster Hilary Ireland talks to their Vice President of Research & Regulatory Affairs,

en-nz

Endophytes – the little microorganism making a big...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2026/02/23

Pasture plays a vital role in many farming systems by providing essential feed for the livestock that support our food and fibre industries. But what we see is just the surface, the health of pasture is intrinsically linked to a family of microorganisms called endophytes that live within plants.In this episode of Scigest, we explore the remarkable role of endophytes and how they influence pasture performance, plant resilience and livestock systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Scientist and podcaster Dr

en-nz

Hyperseeds: Embracing AI to find solutions for NZ's...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2026/02/10

Principal Scientist Marlon dos Reis joins host Rebecca Bloomer to explore how the Bioeconomy Science Institute is using advanced technology to help solve a critical bottleneck in the seed industry: the time-consuming and labour-intensive nature of traditional seed quality assessment. They discuss our collaboration with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the successful development of a system using hyperspectral imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to pre-screen seeds for

en-nz

Finding a moth in a haystack - The important role of...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2026/01/25

Aotearoa New Zealand’s next biosecurity threat might not arrive by ship or plane — it could already be in the air.In this episode of scigest, scientist and host Ki-Taurangi Bradford speaks with biosecurity scientist Dr Toni Withers about the invisible wind pathway carrying pests across the Tasman. Toni explains how moths, butterflies and plant pathogens can travel vast distances on air currents, how new forecasting models are predicting when and where incursions may occur, and how interceptions on

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Nationally Significant Collections held at the...

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/12/15

Host Dr Hilary Ireland speaks with Dr Bevan Weir about the vital role Aotearoa New Zealand’s nationally significant collections and databases play in protecting biodiversity and strengthening biosecurity.Bevan shares stories that highlight why taxonomy matters — from identifying the pathogen behind kauri dieback and protecting rare underground fungi, to preventing toxic new weeds, safeguarding avocado exports and responding to invasive pests. The conversation explores how centuries-old taxonomic

en-nz

The soils beneath our feet (FTL)

scigest - Bioeconomy Science Institute podcasts ·

2025/12/05

We’re celebrating World Soil Day by exploring the vital role soils play in the landscapes, food systems and environmental resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand.Host Rebecca Bloomer is joined by soil scientist Pierre Roudier, President of the New Zealand Society of Soil Science, to explore how soils support ecosystems, store carbon, manage water, reduce flood risk and even shape urban planning. Pierre reveals how modern soil science is transforming our understanding of the land — from advanced

en-nz

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

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