Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 2d

🍎 Big win for Tutti™ apple

The world’s first apple bred for hot climates has taken 1st place at the Innovation Hub Awards at #FruitAttraction2025👏
Huge thanks to VentureFruit, IRTA, Fruit Futur, and the Hot Climate Partnership for making it possible.

👉 www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/articl...

5

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 3d

Our new research with Massey University shows North Island brown kiwi foraging in kiwifruit orchards, feeding on horticultural pests. Findings suggest kiwi could contribute to natural pest control while benefiting from cultivated habitats.
www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/articl...

New research explores kiwi potential for pest management in horticultural landscapes · Plant & Food Research

Research involving Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and the Bioeconomy Science Institute has uncovered a potential partnershipthe brown kiwi and orchadists and wine makers

www.plantandfood.com

1 1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 3d

#InTheNews Some people can eat ghost peppers like snacks 🌶️🔥 Others… cry over mild curry. Why?
Dr Farhana Pinu explains the science of spice tolerance on RNZ.
🎧 Listen here:www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Shower Thoughts: Can I increase my spice tolerance?

Dr Farhana Pinu from the Bioeconomy Science Institute is here to help answer all of these questions.

www.rnz.co.nz

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 3d

“This is a really exciting moment for the Bioeconomy Science Institute. There are clear opportunities to partner with Māori to create impact & drive growth for NZ through the discovery & development of new bio-based products, which this platform will enable,” says our Chief Executive Mark Piper.

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 3d

Aotearoa’s new $42.8M Biodiscovery Platform will bring together Māori enterprise, researchers & industry to discover bio-based products from our unique flora and fauna.

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 3d

Big news for Aotearoa’s bioeconomy 🌿 Hon Dr Shane Reti has announced a new $42.8M Biodiscovery Platform, led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute — unlocking innovation from NZ’s unique flora and fauna.
Learn more: bit.ly/4o0LZ3n

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 6d

We are pleased to announce the appointment of James Stevenson-Wallace as Director Transformation at the Bioeconomy Science Institute.
James will work closely with our CEO and SLT to guide our transformation into a unified organisation, drawing on his leadership experience in the science sector.

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 7d

🦋 Strong winds are blowing Australian moths & butterflies into Aotearoa New Zealand in as little as 48 hrs. Senior entomologist Dr Toni Withers spoke with Yahoo News on how they travel and the risks to our ecosystems. Read more: yhoo.it/4ntwZet

$10 million fight to stop Australian species invading New Zealand in just 48 hours

Australia's famous 'southerly buster' winds are creating a major threat across the ditch. Find out more.

au.news.yahoo.com

4 6

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 8d

👏 Proud moment for the Bioeconomy Science Institute — one of our buildings is shortlisted for the 2025 Built by Nature Prize!

Located in Lincoln, Tuhiraki is a climate-ready research facility that highlights responsible timber construction and bio-based innovation.

🔗 bit.ly/4o2tETU

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 9d

#InTheNews Our work on Crop 78 — a new potato variety that makes crispier chips and supports sustainable farming — has been recognised as a KiwiNet Awards finalist! 🥔✨
Read more in Farmers Weekly:bit.ly/3Kq1pjo

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 9d

🌲 A first for Aotearoa New Zealand’s forests — the new height–diameter model for tōtara (Podocarpus tōtara).

Led by our forest scientist Serajis Salekin and team, this breakthrough fills a long-standing gap, giving forest managers, small-scale growers and others valuable insights.

🔗 tr.ee/g2C8u1

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 9d

🔥 Our scientists recently supported a 50-hectare controlled burn of wilding pines in Central Otago.

This morning, fire ecologist Shana Gross spoke with RNZ’s Nine to Noon about the burn and what it could mean for future land management.

🔗 tr.ee/0KOJiS

Scientists explore new way to rid land of wilding pines

Scientists are hoping a recent 50-hectare controlled burn of wilding conifer pines in Central Otago will help develop new ways to rid land of the pest.

www.rnz.co.nz

1 1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 10d

What if NZ pastures could feed people too? 🌱

With Pāmu Landcorp, we’re turning alfalfa & ryegrass into plant protein for human nutrition – complete with all essential amino acids.

Innovation grown right here in Aotearoa. 💚
🔗 www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/articl...

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 13d

🌱🚗 The Discovery Squad has wrapped up their two-week tour across Aotearoa - connecting with teams, sparking new ideas, and uncovering opportunities for collaboration.

Big thanks to everyone who hosted and shared insights along the way! A few pics from their week two adventures below.

2

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 15d

We’re so proud to see New Zealand innovation making an impact around the world.
👉 Learn more about the science behind Amarasate®: www.plantandfood.com/en-nz/amaras...

Amarasate · Plant & Food Research

Amarasate™ - an extract from a hops cultivar bred and grown in New Zealand – reduced feelings of hunger

www.plantandfood.com

1 1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 15d

🏆 Congratulations to Calocurb — winners of Exporter of the Year to the USA – Consumer Goods at the 2025 AmCham NZ Awards!

www.amcham.co.nz/2025-Awards

1 1

Reposted by Bioeconomy Science Institute

Florian Graichen @floriangraichen.bsky.social · 15d

Huge credit to Yi Chen for his leadership in @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social’s contribution to the UPWEARS project, especially around smart functionality, sensor integration, automation, digitalisation, and additive manufacturing.
#bioeconomy
www.linkedin.com/posts/floria...

#bioeconomy #upwears #sustainabletextiles #smartmaterials #biomanufacturing #sciongroup #collaboration #innovation #horizoneurope | Florian Graichen

Huge credit to Yi Chen for his leadership in driving the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited's contribution to the UPWEARS project, especially around smart functionality, sensor integ...

www.linkedin.com

1 1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 20d

Eight of our Bioeconomy Science Institute scientists are on the road! 🚗💨

Over two weeks, the Discovery Squad is connecting, collaborating, and gathering insights at locations nationwide - helping us work even stronger together.

Week 1 highlights 👇

1 2 2

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 21d

#NewResearch Measuring pollination across crops is tricky — plants, insects & the environment all interact.

Our scientists helped develop a framework that ties entomology + plant physiology together, so researchers can collect the right data to answer big questions.

Read the paper: bit.ly/468uKHs

2

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 21d

Ngā mihi to those who spotted it — we accidentally paired a kea image with the Kākā tongue twister! Both are beautiful native parrots, but they’re different species. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 21d

Ka pai spotting that! You’re absolutely right, that’s a kea — not a kākā.

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 22d

As part of celebrating te reo Māori this week, we’ve challenged our teams to find fun and creative ways to bring more te reo into the office. Check out these awesome arero whīwhiwhi (tongue twisters) — guaranteed to twist your tongue and lift your reo! #TeWikiOTeReoMāori

3 5 8

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 24d

📸 Then & now: 100 years of bee research at Ruakura.
The legacy of apiculture science in Aotearoa continues. #BeeAwareMonth

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 24d

From cadets in 1921 to today’s researchers, Ruakura has been buzzing with apiculture for over a century — and the work continues. 🐝
📷Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19210224-32-04
#BeeResearch #NZScience

1

Bioeconomy Science Institute @bioeconomyscience.bsky.social · 24d

🐝 In 1921, Apiary Cadets trained at Ruakura.
100+ years later, our scientists continue to advance apiculture research at Ruakura. #BeeAwareMonth #ApicultureNZ

📷 Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19210224-32-05

1