Bioeconomy Science Institute
@bioeconomyscience.bsky.social
Science with impact 🌱 Growing a sustainable bioeconomy for Aotearoa and the world.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute brings together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute brings together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation.
A privilage to host the Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna, Fiji’s Minister of Agriculture and Waterways, & his delegation at our Auckland & Lincoln research centres. The visit was a great chance to share progress on our work with partners in Fiji and across the Pacific.
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM
A privilage to host the Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna, Fiji’s Minister of Agriculture and Waterways, & his delegation at our Auckland & Lincoln research centres. The visit was a great chance to share progress on our work with partners in Fiji and across the Pacific.
🥈 People | Planet | Food, part of our scigest podcast, won Silver in The Climate Award at the 2025 NZ Podcast Awards!
Huge thanks to our host Roger Robson-Williams, our incredible scigest team, & all the guests who’ve shared their insights.
🎧 Listen bit.ly/47Yqee8 or via your fav podcast app.
Huge thanks to our host Roger Robson-Williams, our incredible scigest team, & all the guests who’ve shared their insights.
🎧 Listen bit.ly/47Yqee8 or via your fav podcast app.
November 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
🥈 People | Planet | Food, part of our scigest podcast, won Silver in The Climate Award at the 2025 NZ Podcast Awards!
Huge thanks to our host Roger Robson-Williams, our incredible scigest team, & all the guests who’ve shared their insights.
🎧 Listen bit.ly/47Yqee8 or via your fav podcast app.
Huge thanks to our host Roger Robson-Williams, our incredible scigest team, & all the guests who’ve shared their insights.
🎧 Listen bit.ly/47Yqee8 or via your fav podcast app.
🔥 Wildfire risk is rising in Aotearoa — are we planning for it? New research from Earth Sciences NZ & the Bioeconomy Science Institute will help local government, planners and emergency managers reduce harm to those most at risk: communities on the outskirts of towns and cities.
🔗 bit.ly/4igy2Nm
🔗 bit.ly/4igy2Nm
November 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
🔥 Wildfire risk is rising in Aotearoa — are we planning for it? New research from Earth Sciences NZ & the Bioeconomy Science Institute will help local government, planners and emergency managers reduce harm to those most at risk: communities on the outskirts of towns and cities.
🔗 bit.ly/4igy2Nm
🔗 bit.ly/4igy2Nm
🚀🌲The European Space Agency will use eight NZ sites to validate its Biomass mission models. These trusted research hubs have driven our Forest Flows and the NZ–NASA Earth Observation programmes, harnessing IoT sensors, remote sensing, big data, AI, and our expertise.
🔗 bit.ly/4i967Pe
🔗 bit.ly/4i967Pe
November 19, 2025 at 11:55 PM
🚀🌲The European Space Agency will use eight NZ sites to validate its Biomass mission models. These trusted research hubs have driven our Forest Flows and the NZ–NASA Earth Observation programmes, harnessing IoT sensors, remote sensing, big data, AI, and our expertise.
🔗 bit.ly/4i967Pe
🔗 bit.ly/4i967Pe
Celebrating 40 years of Scifresh & Scilate — the NZ-bred cultivars behind JAZZ™ & ENVY™ apples 🍎✨
Developed by our scientists in 1985, now enjoyed in 50+ countries thanks to T&G Global. Huge congratulations to everyone involved!
More here: bit.ly/4pid8j4
Developed by our scientists in 1985, now enjoyed in 50+ countries thanks to T&G Global. Huge congratulations to everyone involved!
More here: bit.ly/4pid8j4
November 19, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Celebrating 40 years of Scifresh & Scilate — the NZ-bred cultivars behind JAZZ™ & ENVY™ apples 🍎✨
Developed by our scientists in 1985, now enjoyed in 50+ countries thanks to T&G Global. Huge congratulations to everyone involved!
More here: bit.ly/4pid8j4
Developed by our scientists in 1985, now enjoyed in 50+ countries thanks to T&G Global. Huge congratulations to everyone involved!
More here: bit.ly/4pid8j4
Congratulations to Professor Andrew (Andy) Allan for being named a 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher!
His 6th consecutive year, and 7th since 2017 — placing him among the top 1% of researchers worldwide in plant biology.
bit.ly/4pfqpZQ
His 6th consecutive year, and 7th since 2017 — placing him among the top 1% of researchers worldwide in plant biology.
bit.ly/4pfqpZQ
November 16, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Congratulations to Professor Andrew (Andy) Allan for being named a 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher!
His 6th consecutive year, and 7th since 2017 — placing him among the top 1% of researchers worldwide in plant biology.
bit.ly/4pfqpZQ
His 6th consecutive year, and 7th since 2017 — placing him among the top 1% of researchers worldwide in plant biology.
bit.ly/4pfqpZQ
For nearly a century, Aotearoa New Zealand has led pea breeding innovation. Our research develops high-yield, climate-resilient cultivars that support a $166M export industry and global plant-based food demand. Growing impact through science. 🌱 #bioeconomyscience
bit.ly/4qXsfzV
bit.ly/4qXsfzV
Breeding next-generation peas · Plant & Food Research
The Bioeconomy Science Institute is breeding the next generation of pea cultivars in New Zealand, led by pea breeder Ali Izanloo
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
For nearly a century, Aotearoa New Zealand has led pea breeding innovation. Our research develops high-yield, climate-resilient cultivars that support a $166M export industry and global plant-based food demand. Growing impact through science. 🌱 #bioeconomyscience
bit.ly/4qXsfzV
bit.ly/4qXsfzV
🎉 Dr Shannon Clarke wins the McMeekan Memorial Award for her groundbreaking work in animal genetics — boosting sustainable farming in Aotearoa New Zealand! 🌱
👏 A huge week of science & global collaboration at #ISGME2025
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4p8rfYi/
#BioeconomyScience #AgInnovation
👏 A huge week of science & global collaboration at #ISGME2025
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4p8rfYi/
#BioeconomyScience #AgInnovation
November 12, 2025 at 10:10 PM
🎉 Dr Shannon Clarke wins the McMeekan Memorial Award for her groundbreaking work in animal genetics — boosting sustainable farming in Aotearoa New Zealand! 🌱
👏 A huge week of science & global collaboration at #ISGME2025
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4p8rfYi/
#BioeconomyScience #AgInnovation
👏 A huge week of science & global collaboration at #ISGME2025
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4p8rfYi/
#BioeconomyScience #AgInnovation
🌲 #MeetOurPeople — Rosie Sargent, Senior Technologist at our Rotorua campus, spends her days in the timber drying lab. From analysing data to planning trials, no two days are the same. Get to know Rosie and her work 👇
🔗 www.scionresearch.com?a=132111
🔗 www.scionresearch.com?a=132111
Scientist profile: Rosie Sargent
Rosie Sargent loves wood. It's an incredible complex material, she says, that performs well and shouldn't be underestimated. It's that love that gets the Bioeconomy Science Institute senior technologist up in the mornings. Rosie's work centres around processing wood, mainly around wood drying and modification. "My work is really varied," she says.
www.scionresearch.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:57 PM
🌲 #MeetOurPeople — Rosie Sargent, Senior Technologist at our Rotorua campus, spends her days in the timber drying lab. From analysing data to planning trials, no two days are the same. Get to know Rosie and her work 👇
🔗 www.scionresearch.com?a=132111
🔗 www.scionresearch.com?a=132111
🎉 Congrats to Dr Jessie Prebble of the Bioeconomy Science Institute on receiving a Mana Tūāpapa Fellowship from Royal Society Te Apārangi! Her research will explore how plants support climate-resilient peat bogs. #BioeconomyScience #RoyalSocietyNZ #ClimateResilience
🔗 bit.ly/49bepnm/
🔗 bit.ly/49bepnm/
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
🎉 Congrats to Dr Jessie Prebble of the Bioeconomy Science Institute on receiving a Mana Tūāpapa Fellowship from Royal Society Te Apārangi! Her research will explore how plants support climate-resilient peat bogs. #BioeconomyScience #RoyalSocietyNZ #ClimateResilience
🔗 bit.ly/49bepnm/
🔗 bit.ly/49bepnm/
Our scientists have developed a portable, non-destructive tool to measure fruit firmness quickly and accurately — helping improve kiwifruit quality and reduce waste. Now used by Zespri across global markets. Read more: bit.ly/4oiMVAG
Non-destructive fruit testing · Plant & Food Research
Scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute developed a portable device that uses a small probe to delicately tap the fruit and quickly and accurately estimate its firmness
www.plantandfood.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Our scientists have developed a portable, non-destructive tool to measure fruit firmness quickly and accurately — helping improve kiwifruit quality and reduce waste. Now used by Zespri across global markets. Read more: bit.ly/4oiMVAG
🌱🐄 Āmua’s cow wearable tech just got a $1.2M boost from AgriZeroNZ — with Bioeconomy Science Institute modelling showing up to 95% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions. Our science is helping turn farmer-led ideas into real environmental wins. 🔗 bit.ly/47FnbHD
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 AM
🌱🐄 Āmua’s cow wearable tech just got a $1.2M boost from AgriZeroNZ — with Bioeconomy Science Institute modelling showing up to 95% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions. Our science is helping turn farmer-led ideas into real environmental wins. 🔗 bit.ly/47FnbHD
🌿 Exciting news! The Bioeconomy Science Institute has received over $6M from the Marsden Fund to launch five groundbreaking research projects exploring climate adaptation in plants and fish, fruit genetics, and more.
🔗 Learn about the projects: bit.ly/4qNXTA8
🔗 Learn about the projects: bit.ly/4qNXTA8
New funding to support healthy bioeconomy · Plant & Food Research
The Bioeconomy Science Institute is excited to receive more than $6 million of funding to start five new research projects from the latest Marsden funding round.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
🌿 Exciting news! The Bioeconomy Science Institute has received over $6M from the Marsden Fund to launch five groundbreaking research projects exploring climate adaptation in plants and fish, fruit genetics, and more.
🔗 Learn about the projects: bit.ly/4qNXTA8
🔗 Learn about the projects: bit.ly/4qNXTA8
🥔 ‘Crop78’ – the perfect potato.
Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this award-winning cultivar is changing the game for growers and the global French fry market.
Watch how Kiwi science is driving impact 👇 bit.ly/48QUdab
#BioeconomyScience #Innovation #2025KiwiNetAwards
Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this award-winning cultivar is changing the game for growers and the global French fry market.
Watch how Kiwi science is driving impact 👇 bit.ly/48QUdab
#BioeconomyScience #Innovation #2025KiwiNetAwards
'Crop78': The perfect potato driving global innovation
With high yields, strong disease resistance, efficient water and nitrogen use, ‘Crop78’ is outperforming other varieties and redefining the global French fry...
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
🥔 ‘Crop78’ – the perfect potato.
Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this award-winning cultivar is changing the game for growers and the global French fry market.
Watch how Kiwi science is driving impact 👇 bit.ly/48QUdab
#BioeconomyScience #Innovation #2025KiwiNetAwards
Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this award-winning cultivar is changing the game for growers and the global French fry market.
Watch how Kiwi science is driving impact 👇 bit.ly/48QUdab
#BioeconomyScience #Innovation #2025KiwiNetAwards
Reposted by Bioeconomy Science Institute
How Big Is New Zealand’s Bioeconomy?
A critical question - now answered.
A @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social led study provides the most comprehensive measurement yet of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
#bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...
A critical question - now answered.
A @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social led study provides the most comprehensive measurement yet of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
#bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...
What Is the Scale of the Bio-Business Sector? Insights into Quantifying the Size of the New Zealand Bioeconomy | Florian Graichen
How Big Is New Zealand’s Bioeconomy?
A critical question - now answered.
A New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited led study provides the most comprehensive measurement yet of Aotearoa ...
www.linkedin.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
How Big Is New Zealand’s Bioeconomy?
A critical question - now answered.
A @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social led study provides the most comprehensive measurement yet of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
#bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...
A critical question - now answered.
A @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social led study provides the most comprehensive measurement yet of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
#bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...
🔬🌱 #NewResearch from our team at the Bioeconomy Science Institute shows a fungus discovered in 2020 can break down wood and agricultural waste more efficiently than traditional commercial enzymes.
🔗 Read how it could boost the NZ #bioeconomy: tr.ee/nl4TH7
🔗 Read how it could boost the NZ #bioeconomy: tr.ee/nl4TH7
November 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
🔬🌱 #NewResearch from our team at the Bioeconomy Science Institute shows a fungus discovered in 2020 can break down wood and agricultural waste more efficiently than traditional commercial enzymes.
🔗 Read how it could boost the NZ #bioeconomy: tr.ee/nl4TH7
🔗 Read how it could boost the NZ #bioeconomy: tr.ee/nl4TH7
👏🔬 Science is beautiful! These stunning microscope images were captured by Bioeconomy Science Institute researcher Janet Reid, who’s exploring how skin cells interact with nanocellulose. The blue reveals the nanocellulose structures and the orange highlights human keratinocytes (HaCaTs).
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM
👏🔬 Science is beautiful! These stunning microscope images were captured by Bioeconomy Science Institute researcher Janet Reid, who’s exploring how skin cells interact with nanocellulose. The blue reveals the nanocellulose structures and the orange highlights human keratinocytes (HaCaTs).
🕸️ Spooky meets science!
Researchers from the @waikatouniversity.bsky.social & Bioeconomy Science Institute found toy cobwebs can collect environmental DNA — helping track species for conservation & biosecurity.
👉 bit.ly/3JA9L7U
#BioeconomyScience #ScienceImpact
Researchers from the @waikatouniversity.bsky.social & Bioeconomy Science Institute found toy cobwebs can collect environmental DNA — helping track species for conservation & biosecurity.
👉 bit.ly/3JA9L7U
#BioeconomyScience #ScienceImpact
Hallowe’en cobwebs are frighteningly good DNA collectors
They’re usually spun to make spooky Hallowe’en decorations, but new research from the University of Waikato and the Bioeconomy Science Institute has found that toy cobwebs can also weave surprising benefits for environmental research.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM
🕸️ Spooky meets science!
Researchers from the @waikatouniversity.bsky.social & Bioeconomy Science Institute found toy cobwebs can collect environmental DNA — helping track species for conservation & biosecurity.
👉 bit.ly/3JA9L7U
#BioeconomyScience #ScienceImpact
Researchers from the @waikatouniversity.bsky.social & Bioeconomy Science Institute found toy cobwebs can collect environmental DNA — helping track species for conservation & biosecurity.
👉 bit.ly/3JA9L7U
#BioeconomyScience #ScienceImpact
🐑 What makes a ewe a great mum?
A new sheep trial led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute is exploring how stress in pregnancy affects ewe + lamb survival and farm sustainability — with potential to save NZ farmers $17–20M a year.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3LcacFX #BioeconomyScience
A new sheep trial led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute is exploring how stress in pregnancy affects ewe + lamb survival and farm sustainability — with potential to save NZ farmers $17–20M a year.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3LcacFX #BioeconomyScience
New sheep trial aims to boost lamb survival and flock resilience | AgResearch
A major new sheep trial is underway in New Zealand to uncover what makes a ewe a “good mum” and how that impacts lamb survival and flock resilience.
www.agresearch.co.nz
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
🐑 What makes a ewe a great mum?
A new sheep trial led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute is exploring how stress in pregnancy affects ewe + lamb survival and farm sustainability — with potential to save NZ farmers $17–20M a year.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3LcacFX #BioeconomyScience
A new sheep trial led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute is exploring how stress in pregnancy affects ewe + lamb survival and farm sustainability — with potential to save NZ farmers $17–20M a year.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3LcacFX #BioeconomyScience
Meet Sarita Males, Taylan Topal & Dan Killeen, the team behind Neutectic Solutions, part of Sprout Agritech's Accelerator Spring25 Cohort. They’re tackling marine biofouling, a huge challenge for aquaculture, with a natural solution that’s better for marine ecosystems.
Learn more: bit.ly/3WaZ9iD/
Learn more: bit.ly/3WaZ9iD/
October 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Meet Sarita Males, Taylan Topal & Dan Killeen, the team behind Neutectic Solutions, part of Sprout Agritech's Accelerator Spring25 Cohort. They’re tackling marine biofouling, a huge challenge for aquaculture, with a natural solution that’s better for marine ecosystems.
Learn more: bit.ly/3WaZ9iD/
Learn more: bit.ly/3WaZ9iD/
🏆 Sue Muggleston — KiwiNet KCA Commercialisation Professional of the Year 🏆
For 40+ years, Sue has championed the power of science to create real-world impact.
🎥 Watch her reflect on what drives her and why getting science “out there” matters: bit.ly/4ohVYSK
#2025KiwiNetAwards
For 40+ years, Sue has championed the power of science to create real-world impact.
🎥 Watch her reflect on what drives her and why getting science “out there” matters: bit.ly/4ohVYSK
#2025KiwiNetAwards
Celebrating Sue Muggleston — KiwiNet KCA Commercialisation Professional of the Year 2025
YouTube video by Bioeconomy Science Institute
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:35 AM
🏆 Sue Muggleston — KiwiNet KCA Commercialisation Professional of the Year 🏆
For 40+ years, Sue has championed the power of science to create real-world impact.
🎥 Watch her reflect on what drives her and why getting science “out there” matters: bit.ly/4ohVYSK
#2025KiwiNetAwards
For 40+ years, Sue has championed the power of science to create real-world impact.
🎥 Watch her reflect on what drives her and why getting science “out there” matters: bit.ly/4ohVYSK
#2025KiwiNetAwards
✨ A big night at the KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards — celebrating our people, innovation and impact 🏆
We’re proud to be part of a science and innovation community driving real-world change for Aotearoa and beyond.
👉 Learn more: bit.ly/4otoH6t #2025KiwiNe#2025KiwiNetAwards
We’re proud to be part of a science and innovation community driving real-world change for Aotearoa and beyond.
👉 Learn more: bit.ly/4otoH6t #2025KiwiNe#2025KiwiNetAwards
Celebrating the bioeconomy at KiwiNet awards · Plant & Food Research
A new potato cultivar, ‘Crop78’, was recognised for Commercial Impact, while intellectual property manager Sue Muggleston was named Commercialisation Professional at the KiwiNet Awards
www.plantandfood.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
✨ A big night at the KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards — celebrating our people, innovation and impact 🏆
We’re proud to be part of a science and innovation community driving real-world change for Aotearoa and beyond.
👉 Learn more: bit.ly/4otoH6t #2025KiwiNe#2025KiwiNetAwards
We’re proud to be part of a science and innovation community driving real-world change for Aotearoa and beyond.
👉 Learn more: bit.ly/4otoH6t #2025KiwiNe#2025KiwiNetAwards
A teenage fascination with photosynthesis led Plant Molecular Biologist Dr Hilary Ireland to reimagine the future of fruit.
Her research explores flower structure, pollination & coreless apples.🍏
🎥 Watch Hilary’s story to see how curiosity can drive innovation bit.ly/47jfd78
Her research explores flower structure, pollination & coreless apples.🍏
🎥 Watch Hilary’s story to see how curiosity can drive innovation bit.ly/47jfd78
Dr Hilary Ireland
For Plant Molecular Biologist Dr Hilary Ireland, a curiosity to understand how things work has shaped her research journey — from a teenage fascination with ...
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
A teenage fascination with photosynthesis led Plant Molecular Biologist Dr Hilary Ireland to reimagine the future of fruit.
Her research explores flower structure, pollination & coreless apples.🍏
🎥 Watch Hilary’s story to see how curiosity can drive innovation bit.ly/47jfd78
Her research explores flower structure, pollination & coreless apples.🍏
🎥 Watch Hilary’s story to see how curiosity can drive innovation bit.ly/47jfd78
This #SaveTheKiwiWeek our research is making headlines on RNZ’s Country Life podcast!
A researchers from Massey University & the Bioeconomy Science Institute are exploring how North Island brown kiwi could help growers tackle pests naturally.
Listen here: bit.ly/4nxC30Z
A researchers from Massey University & the Bioeconomy Science Institute are exploring how North Island brown kiwi could help growers tackle pests naturally.
Listen here: bit.ly/4nxC30Z
October 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
This #SaveTheKiwiWeek our research is making headlines on RNZ’s Country Life podcast!
A researchers from Massey University & the Bioeconomy Science Institute are exploring how North Island brown kiwi could help growers tackle pests naturally.
Listen here: bit.ly/4nxC30Z
A researchers from Massey University & the Bioeconomy Science Institute are exploring how North Island brown kiwi could help growers tackle pests naturally.
Listen here: bit.ly/4nxC30Z
👏🌿 AgriSea has opened the world’s first commercial seaweed nanocellulose biorefinery in Paeroa — a big win for sustainable innovation in Aotearoa New Zealand! We’re proud to have partnered with the team on this journey, helping turn research into commercial impact.
🔗 tr.ee/UWDlg8
🔗 tr.ee/UWDlg8
October 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
👏🌿 AgriSea has opened the world’s first commercial seaweed nanocellulose biorefinery in Paeroa — a big win for sustainable innovation in Aotearoa New Zealand! We’re proud to have partnered with the team on this journey, helping turn research into commercial impact.
🔗 tr.ee/UWDlg8
🔗 tr.ee/UWDlg8