PODCAST

scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast

The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited

Welcome to Scigest - podcast-sized servings of digestible science from Plant & Food Research. Join us as we explore the advancements and impact our scientists are making in food production, including developing new cultivars, innovative new foods, to bioprotection science, AI and technology, and creating sustainable production systems. Listen to our scientists as they share and discuss current research in Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond in this award-winning podcast collection. Make sure to visit

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All Episodes

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

scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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 - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

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

Suzie Newman: A life in International development (SLFM)

scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

2024/12/17

Success in international development projects requires not only a variety of skills, including project management, people, and technical skills, but also a commitment to see jobs through and meet every challenge, which can be considerable in some of the less developed regions around the world. In this podcast, scientist and podcaster Hilary Ireland speaks to international development specialist Suzie Newman about her role in leading the successful International Development Team at Plant & Food

en-nz

A fresh look at steam power (PPF)

scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

2024/12/05

People | Planet | Food – in this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams delves into the innovative world of modern steam power with Jack Donaldson from Mackwell and Co., a Christchurch-based start-up pioneering advanced steam technology for farm machinery. Together, they explore how replacing diesel with biomass could revolutionise energy use in food production, offering a sustainable and resilient alternative. The conversation spans the future of energy for businesses and communities, the surprising

en-nz

A fresh look at steam power (PPF)

scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast ·

2024/12/05

en-nz

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scigest - Plant & Food Research podcast

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