As scrutiny increases on the environmental impact of food production, AgResearch is providing vital support for our dairy and meat industries. Over the last decade, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) team at AgResearch has consistently delivered impactful research on the environmental sustainability of our pastoral farming systems. This includes examinations of our agricultural products to…
As the perils of plastic production and pollution rise, Scion/AgriSea spies a solution in seaweed. Nanocellulose is considered to be a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics and can be used in a vast range of products including adhesives, batteries, biomedical supplies and cosmetics. It’s widely available, biodegradable and biocompatible but the bulk of the world’s…
Professor Matt Littlejohn’s research for LIC has identified key genetic variants that have a significant impact on production and health in our national herd. Over the last 25 years, LIC has made a number of discoveries about genes that affect production, fertility and survival among dairy and beef animals. Professor Littlejohn has advanced this work…
Paul Champion’s work tackles the wicked problem of weedy waterways. Aquatic weeds can easily grow rampant, affecting recreation, interfering with hydro-generation, hindering restoration efforts and driving native species onto endangered lists. One of our leading authorities on aquatic and wetland plants, NIWA’s Paul Champion’s guides, toolkits and advice have helped organisations throughout New Zealand to…
Chris Duggan’s bi-lingual science kits for primary schools have grown from a one-city wonder to a nationwide phenomenon. Observing a downward trend in our primary level science results and knowing that a lack of teacher confidence was part of the problem, accomplished science educator Chris quit her teaching job to start ‘House of Science’, a…
Jason Morgan is helping science take great strides in the world of e-learning. Jason teaches chemistry and physics at St Peter’s in Cambridge, where he is also Director of eLearning. His enthusiasm for hand-held devices, apps and all things on-line proved invaluable during the 2020 lockdown period. Digital learning extends Jason’s longstanding interest in best-practice…
Associate Professor Kura Paul-Burke blends western science with mātauranga Māori to help coastal communities manage marine taonga. Shellfish such as mussels indicate the health of our coastal environments and are a valued food source. In Ohiwa Harbour, Paul-Burke used local understanding of natural signs – ngā tohu o te taiao – and maramataka (the Māori…