Bioeconomy Science Institute

02/09/2026

🌱 Curious about where a career in science could take you?

E Tipu, E Rea is a hands-on open day for tertiary tauira (students) and graduates to meet researchers and kairangahau Māori, explore science in action and discover what a career in science, innovation and technology could look like.

From wildfire research and pest control to pā harakeke, plant collections and invertebrates — there’s plenty to discover. 🔬🌿

📍 Tuhiraki, Lincoln
📅 Friday 18 September | 9am–4pm
🥪 Free to attend, with kai provided

Spaces are limited, so register your interest now 👇
https://kanapu.maori.nz/kanapu-exchange/?fbclid=IwcGRvZgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB2U3hPMlhGZ3lmbjRwOVVjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvxnj3_gExe6wMNFk1W5WETOzCG47dDn8W_QMy-XuixaAjKvt2xlMxaqEgXW_aem_GYfzVmBZH5h96Zj7vh0YEg

01/09/2026

🐝 Good vs evil. Bees vs hornets. And plenty of science in between.

In the good corner: our fuzzy, stripey-bummed friend, the honey bee — pollinating our crops and producing honey for our toast. 🍯

In the other: the Asian yellow-legged hornet — a formidable predator of honey bees that has been detected in New Zealand, but hasn’t established here.

So, what can we learn from countries where yellow-legged hornets are already established?

🎧 In the latest Scigest podcast, host Dr Andrew Dare chats with Bioeconomy Science Institute bee expert Dr James Sainsbury about his research developing a yellow-legged hornet readiness guide for the apiculture industry.

They delve into how honey bees, beekeepers and industries overseas are adapting to these unwelcome predators, and what we can learn from their experience to support New Zealand’s biosecurity response.

Listen to the latest Scigest wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the link below 👇
https://bit.ly/4zJBRTD

⚠️ Think you’ve spotted a yellow-legged hornet? Take a photo and report it to Ministry for Primary Industries on 0800 80 99 66 or email [email protected].

30/08/2026

Happy 100th birthday to publicly funded science in Aotearoa 🎉

Today we celebrate 100 years since the Scientific and Industrial Research Act was passed, creating the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and marking the start of a century of science working for New Zealand.

Over the last 100 years, science has helped protect our environment, improve public health, support farmers and growers, advance forensic science, respond to disease outbreaks, support healthier homes and help communities prepare for natural hazards.

The New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science), Bioeconomy Science Institute and Earth Sciences New Zealand all inherit this proud legacy.

Over the past few months, we have been sharing some stories of the people, discoveries and innovations that informed important decisions and helped New Zealand respond to some of its biggest challenges.

Here's to 100 years of discovery, innovation and impact, and to the next 100 years of science working for New Zealand.

Explore our stories: www.bioeconomyscience.co.nz/about-us/100-years

of science

27/08/2026

Curious to see what a career in the research, science, innovation and technology sector could look like? Keen to meet and kōrero with professionals currently operating in the industry? 💫

Hikohiko mai ki tā mātou kaupapa E Tipu, E Rea: An open day with Maiangi Taiao( Bioeconomy Science Institute) in Lincoln, Canterbury and swipe to discover all of the mīharo activities you could participate in! 👀

This event is free to attend and kai will also be provided 😉 See more details through our event page E Tipu, E Rea: An Open Day with Bioeconomy Science Institute

Please note spaces are limited so register your interest now through the Kanapu Exchange link in bio and comments - Kei mahue iho koe 😊

27/08/2026

Using DNA clues to trace invasive yellow-legged hornets

Meet Andrew Pugh whose environmental DNA research is exploring a new way to help detect invasive yellow-legged hornets in Auckland’s North Shore.

By taking samples of freshwater waterways, Andrew and his team are going to be looking for tiny traces of DNA left behind by hornets.

If successful, this work could help Biosecurity New Zealand, which is leading work to eradicate the invasive pest, identify areas of hornet activity to quickly track down hard-to-find nests. Ministry for Primary Industries

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3SuxsTK

25/08/2026

🌱 Meet the team behind one of New Zealand’s most impactful pasture innovations.

Decades of science and collaboration are being recognised owith Endophyte AR37named a finalist in the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.

AR37 was developed to tackle a longstanding challenge for farmers: protecting perennial ryegrass from damaging insect pests without compromising animal health or productivity.

After years of multidisciplinary research, our Endophyte Discovery Team discovered a unique endophyte strain that provides strong resistance to five major ryegrass pests.

And the impact has been huge.

Since its commercial release in 2007, AR37 has been incorporated into 16 ryegrass cultivars and adopted widely across New Zealand and Australia. It’s estimated to have contributed NZ$3.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy over the past 20 years, helping farmers grow more resilient, productive pastures.

It’s an achievement built on great science and enduring partnerships, including decades of collaboration with Grasslanz Technology and PGG Wrightson Seeds.

Congratulations to the scientists, industry partners and everyone who has played a part in taking AR37 from discovery to impact. 👏

23/08/2026

Breeding the next generation of apples 🍎

Working alongside our partners, our apple breeding team are focused on developing apples that perform well in premium markets, have traits such as improved disease resistance and are resilient to future challenges.

19/08/2026

What can Indigenous knowledge and satellite technology teach us about preparing for fire? 🌏🛰️🔥

A first-of-its-kind collaboration between Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia is bringing Aboriginal and Māori knowledge systems together with advanced Earth observation technologies to help improve fire planning and preparedness.

And that work is receiving international recognition.

Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao researchers Katerina Pihera-Ridge and Taiāwhio Bryers recently travelled to Sydney for the 2026 Australian Space Awards, where the project was named a finalist for Indigenous Space Initiative of the Year.

The Indigenous Pathways to Earth Observations team has also been named the Australian winner of the 2026 CAETS Communication Prize, recognising excellence in communicating engineering and technological innovation to public audiences. The team now progresses to the global finals in Munich this September. 👏

Congratulations to Katerina, Taiāwhio, Shana Gross and all the project collaborators on this international recognition.

18/08/2026

It's great to see our low-methane livestock research making a real-world impact through programmes like Cool Beef. We're proud to be part of the research and industry collaboration delivering practical outcomes for farmers.

🐄 New Cool Beef programme launched to support more efficient NZ beef cattle

B+LNZ has officially launched the Cool Beef programme, a major research initiative focused on understanding the relationship between feed efficiency, methane emissions, and production traits in beef cattle.

Funded by the Ag Emissions Centre and launched at Te Mania Angus in North Canterbury, the programme will measure more than 2,000 cattle and help build the science needed to support future breeding tools and Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for beef farmers.

By bringing together farmers, breeders, researchers, and industry partners, Cool Beef aims to provide robust information that supports informed breeding decisions and future farming system goals.

The programme builds on previous industry research and includes Angus, Hereford, and crossbred cattle from across New Zealand.

Read more: https://beeflambnz.com/science-genetics/genetics/genetics-programmes/cool-beef-programme

18/08/2026

🍄 Five decades of fungi, discovery and sharing science with New Zealanders.

In the latest Scigest podcast, Dr Hilary Ireland continues her conversation with recently retired mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan about a career spanning five decades of fungal research.

Peter reflects on the people who helped shape mycology in Aotearoa New Zealand, the importance of conserving our fungi, traditional Māori uses of fungi, and his passion for sharing fungal science with the public.

From Fungal Forays and Bioblitz events to NZ’s Favourite Fungus and a bilingual teaching resource, Peter’s career shows how research and public engagement can help us better understand Aotearoa’s remarkable fungal diversity.

🎧 Listen to Part 2 of their conversation:https://bit.ly/4xgWhBq or wherever you get your podcasts.