Bioeconomy Science Institute

🍒 Meet Claire Scofield, a scientist helping future-proof cherry crops

Claire is exploring how humidity and orchard microclimates affect cherry firmness — a key factor for fruit quality and export markets.

Her work aims to help growers adapt to changing weather.
Learn more: bit.ly/4lqpbKz

The Rural Roundup Full Show with Stephen McIvor - 9th February Listen to this episode from The Rural Roundup on Spotify. The Rural Roundup Full Show with Stephen McIvor - 9th February Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎧 #InTheNews Our CEO Mark Piper joined Stephen McIvor on the Rural Roundup to talk about the Bioeconomy Science Institute, the work underway, and how our research is helping deliver impact for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.
Listen here: bit.ly/3OTqWno

🍏 What if apples didn’t go brown after slicing?

Arctic® Apples use gene technology to stop browning. In our latest scigest podcast, Dr Hilary Ireland talks with Dr Muhammad Tahir about how the technology was developed and what’s next.

🎧 Listen: www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/articl...

The science of biofoul and making the most of a bad thing · Plant & Food Research In this episode, scigest host Julie Blommaert speaks with Research Technologist Peter Bell about his research into smarter, safer ways to tackle biofouling.

🌊 For #Seaweek we’re revisiting our scigest podcast on biofouling — the stubborn layer of marine life that clings to boats and structures. Our researchers are exploring smarter, safer ways to manage it and even put that “brown sludge” to good use.
🎧bit.ly/4baQRhH

🥝 New Zealand scientists are working with growers and partners in India to help grow a thriving kiwifruit industry.

Through the Kiwifruit Action Plan we’re sharing expertise in orchard systems, postharvest and supply chains to support better yields and fruit quality.

Learn more: bit.ly/4cUI8CM

Anna Edwards lives her kaupapa — uplifting her people.

As kai tūhono at Maiangi Taiao, she helps transform Māori aspirations for whenua and whānau into reality through science and innovation.

Read her journey: bit.ly/4u2f0jj

A valuable opportunity to deepen relationships and support Pacific-led climate-resilience initiatives.

Tagio tumas to our Solomon Islands colleagues 🤝✨

At Tuhiraki, discussions centred on managing coconut rhinoceros beetle & wider biocontrol collaboration — critical to safeguarding palm industries in the Solomon Islands

From postharvest & disinfestation facilities in Auckland to the Allan Herbarium in Lincoln (800,000+ specimens), we shared work and explored collaborations to build climate-resilient agriculture, strong biosecurity and thriving Pacific communities.

We were honoured to host a delegation from the Solomon Islands across our Mt Albert & Lincoln research centres last week

Focused on Pacific-led climate-resilience initiatives, agriculture, biosecurity & strengthening partnerships. 🧵👇

Biodegradable rope ties for mussel farming Mussel farming in Aotearoa has long relied on plastic rope ties to secure the crop lines to surface ropes. But these ties are single-use, non-recyclable, and...

It's #Seaweek in Aotearoa New Zealand this week - a time to celebrate our nation's connection to the ocean and the science helping protect it.bit.ly/46mOFlE

Built with industry 🤝 Ready for market.

A new BPA case study highlights one of our commercial partnerships, where waste‑derived pigments (grape marc, pine needles + more) and biodegradable PHA come together as market‑ready design, showcased in the Loopback bangle.

🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4kMTMSe

Registrations for ICVG 2026 close this week!

Join global grapevine virus experts in Napier, NZ (23–27 March).

🍷 Tuesday is industry-focused with day registrations available.
Register: scienceevents.eventsair.com/icvg2026/reg...

What do New Zealanders really think about their environment? Results from 2025 Environmental Perceptions Survey include a belief that environmental quality has increased since 2016 [mountain], but sewerage & stormwater are seen as exerting pressure across multiple env. domains
» bit.ly/3ZSKWc4

Big milestone for Forever Harvest 🌱 Securing NZ$1.2m in pre-seed funding to accelerate cultivated fruit & nut ingredients. Built on Bioeconomy Science Institute research. Backed by Sprout Agritech + Callaghan Innovation.
🔗bit.ly/3OzPW2I

He Whenua Kanorau, He Whenua Manawaroa Extreme weather events have devastated large areas across Aotearoa New Zealand, causing widespread flooding and landslides, and resulting in loss of life and...

Extreme weather has devastated parts of Aotearoa NZ.
He Whenua Kanorau, He Whenua Manawaroa explores how Māori concepts and practices — symbolised by the kahikatea — can support pathways toward more resilient whenua Māori. bit.ly/4s1MIDy

Endophytes – the little microorganism making a big difference · Plant & Food Research Linda Johnson leads a team of people looking at Endophytes and identifying the best ones for New Zealand farming systems. The team won the New Zealand 2024 Prime Minister’s Science Prize

🌱 Tiny microorganisms. Massive impact.

Our latest #Scigest podcast explores endophytes – microbes living inside plants that boost pasture performance, resilience & livestock systems in Aotearoa NZ.

🎧 Listen now bit.ly/4tUFNOo or wherever you get your podcasts.

Science for future fashion episode of Our Changing World We know there are issues with sustainability within the fashion industry - can science help create a better future? Claire Concannon visits the Bioeconomy Science Institute in Rotorua to learn how New Zealand scientists are contributing to a massive multi-national project aimed at shaping the textile industry of tomorrow.

🎧✅ Missed our scientists on RNZ earlier this week? Tune in to below hear all things Horizon Europe’s UPWEARS project, showcasing how we’re working with international partners to turn research into real‑world impact, from materials to smarter production pathways.

🔗 Listen now: bit.ly/4rYofiz

He Ngahere, He Korowai YouTube video by Bioeconomy Science Institute

As extreme weather intensifies in Aotearoa, transitioning erosion-prone pine to permanent native ngahere can strengthen resilience.

Across 9 sites, we’re exploring post-harvest regeneration to support mana whenua to restore and protect their whenua.
Watch www.youtube.com/watch?v=d71r...

Oh look, it’s science I helped do 🐟 👀

Snapper could help future-proof aquaculture in Aotearoa 🌊🐟
New research from the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao shows selectively bred snapper grow faster and survive better than wild fish — a promising climate-resilient option. Links ⬇️
Learn more: bit.ly/4qDsSNN
📄Paper: bit.ly/3ON45JP

Meet our people: materials scientist Yi Chen Yi is a material scientist with the Bioeconomy Science Institute, focused on bridging the gap between research and real-world application. Get to know Yi in ...

🔬 #MeetOurPeople: “My job gives me the opportunity to move beyond the lab, and that’s exciting.”

Our material scientist Yi Chen is turning research into real-world impact, across sustainable packaging, pest detection, forest monitoring and e-textiles. Get to know Yi: youtu.be/Qg9CfpT2nIg

Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Phytophthora pluvialis by Real-Time PCR Targeting a Mitochondrial Gene | Phytopathology® | Florian Graichen Catching a forest threat weeks earlier Good news for forest health. A New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited developed new DNA test can spot Phytophthora pluvialis - a disease‑causing o...

Catching a forest threat weeks earlier

Good news for forest health - this @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social developed new DNA test
#forestry #bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...

🌿🔥 #NewResearch is revealing how and when NZ’s beech forests can burn. We’re supporting PhD student Georgia Stevenson, with Lincoln University researchers, to test beech litter flammability in the field. These are the first experiments of their kind in any NZ native forest type.

🔗 bit.ly/46EV7oa

We welcomed Hon Dr Shane Reti, Min.of Science, Innovation and Technology to our Lincoln campus yesterday to open our new Genomics Research Building. The new building will enable a wide range of biological research projects such as high-throughput eDNA analysis, delivering long-term benefits for AoNZ

AI meets seed science 🌱

In our latest #Scigest podcast, Marlon dos Reis shares how hyperspectral imaging + AI are helping pre-screen seeds for contaminants — supporting a smarter Aotearoa NZ seed industry.

Listen 🎧 bit.ly/4rbHmFW