New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute Secures $20M for Innovative Research

The Bioeconomy Science Institute has secured over $20 million in funding from the Endeavour Fund for two innovative research programmes aimed at transforming New Zealand’s food, biotechnology, and horticultural sectors. This significant investment underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s bioeconomy and supporting sustainable practices.

Groundbreaking Horticultural Initiatives

The first programme, titled Super-Storing: Extending the Life of NZ’s Perishable Fruits, has received $10.2 million in funding. The initiative, led by cultivar development scientist Associate Professor Robert Schaffer and Dr. Rosie Schröder, focuses on extending the storage life of fast-perishable fruits, such as summer fruit and berries, by emulating the longevity of kiwifruit.

By leveraging advanced gene technologies, the team aims to facilitate the storage and shipping of these fruits to distant markets, including Asia and Europe. Currently, New Zealand’s fresh fruit exports generate approximately $3.5 billion annually, primarily from kiwifruit and apples. This research is designed to diversify the horticultural sector, which aligns with the government’s objective of increasing export value from $7 billion to $12 billion per year.

Schaffer emphasized the potential benefits of the initiative, stating, “This work will directly benefit growers, extend harvest windows, and build resilience against extreme weather. It’s about unlocking the full potential of New Zealand’s horticultural diversity.” The anticipated outcomes include a reduction in food waste and lower emissions through the replacement of air freight with sea freight, leading to an expected increase of over $600 million in domestic economic activity.

Transforming Forestry Residues into Protein Sources

The second programme, Turning Pine Waste into Premium Proteins, is a five-year initiative with a budget of $10.4 million. Led by Dr. David Hooks and Dr. Scott Knowles, this project aims to convert pine forestry residues, which are often discarded or incinerated, into high-value proteins through a process known as Precision Fermentation (PF).

This innovative approach will utilize novel chemoenzymatic methods to transform softwood waste into fermentation feedstocks. These feedstocks will be used to cultivate engineered yeast strains capable of producing specialty proteins, such as osteopontin and casozepine, which offer nutritional and functional benefits similar to those of traditional animal-derived ingredients.

Dr. Hooks remarked, “This is more than a research programme; it’s a blueprint for how New Zealand can lead in the next generation of food and biotech innovation. This is about creating value from what we already have.” The initiative is expected to address challenges related to feedstock availability, manufacturing scale, and the regulatory landscape surrounding gene technologies.

Dr. Knowles noted the environmental benefits, stating, “By converting forestry residues into feedstocks, we’re unlocking a new pathway for sustainable protein production—one that aligns with global efforts to build climate-resilient food systems.” The research team anticipates several innovations, including the development of novel enzymes for converting lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars, as well as advancements in yeast engineering for high protein expression.

About the Bioeconomy Science Institute

The establishment of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, which integrates AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion, reflects a strategic shift in New Zealand’s scientific landscape. Following government reviews highlighting the need for change, the seven Crown Research Institutes will soon merge into four Public Research Organisations, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.

During a recent visit to the Lincoln campus, Hon Shane Reti, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, unveiled the new visual identity of the Bioeconomy Science Institute. “This is an exciting step in sharing our new organisation with the outside world,” said Transition Chief Executive Mark Piper.

In addition to the funding announcements, Minister Reti also revealed $6.5 million in new industry funding aimed at developing methods to reduce methane emissions from grazing livestock. Furthermore, he witnessed the signing of a licensing deal with Nelson-based Seaweave to commercialise aquaculture monitoring technology.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing New Zealand’s bioeconomy, uniting expertise and resources to foster sustainable growth and innovation.