Tag: Future of Food

Jan 28, 2026 The Manawatū campus welcomed 56 secondary school students from across Aotearoa New Zealand for the inaugural Food Innovation Youth Summit in January. The three-day immersive experience was designed to showcase the creativity, science and collaboration behind the food industry. – Massey University Article Read More Here Latest Articles

Jan 28, 2026 It all started as an idea at FoodHQ, then began with a spark at Innovation Day last year. How could the next generation be inspired to see beyond the supermarket shelf, to imagine, create, and shape the future of food in New Zealand? That question grew quietly over the months, until it became something much more tangible: The Food Innovation Youth Summit (FIYS). Last week, secondary students from across Aotearoa arrived at Massey University’s Manawatū campus, curious and eager. Over three days, the summit transformed curiosity into experience, theory into hands-on...

Dec 10, 2025 New Zealand’s next phase of growth will depend on pairing quality with curiosity, but are we ready? Our production mindset has long focused on scale, but success now depends on how well we understand our consumers. IKEA’s painstaking study of Kiwi homes before opening here showed what empathy in action looks like: listening before selling, designing before assuming. As India’s vast, complex market edges within reach through a free trade deal, the burning question is whether New Zealand can make that same shift, or whether we’ll cling to old habits...

July 31, 2025 It’s already New Zealand’s biggest industry – what more can it do? If New Zealand is to double the value of exports by 2035, dairy must surely do a lot of the heavy lifting. But how much more growth and innovation can we expect to see? With so much pressure facing the sector from both home and abroad, where does sustainable growth come from? And without dairy, can New Zealand do it? Dairy is unparalleled by any other sector, growing almost 10-fold in 30 years. Growth is in volume and value; and...

October 20, 2025 We’re incredibly proud to officially introduce the Massey University Food Innovation Youth Summit | powered by FoodHQ! Together with Massey University – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, we’ve created an immersive experience designed to spark curiosity, drive youth engagement in our food sector, and inspire future careers in New Zealand’s world-class food industry. Get ready to experience real food tech magic – dive into hands-on workshops, tour high-tech labs, and visit cutting-edge food factories across the Manawatū region. Ever wondered what a Food...

October 10, 2025 Unlocking Plant Protein Ingredient Value: Australia and New Zealand in Review. This report was developed by FoodHQ following the release of Food Frontier’s The Case for a National Plant Protein Ingredient Industry, which sparked important conversations about the future of plant protein across Australasia. In recent months, we’ve seen a resurgence of discussion around plant protein in New Zealand, and for good reason. We believe New Zealand, like Australia, is now at an inflection point: the opportunity to pivot toward high-value plant protein ingredient production...

July 21, 2025 A new class of weight loss drugs called GLP-1 agonists is driving down consumers’ appetites at an unprecedented scale, forcing the food industry to reconsider long-established assumptions about what we eat – and how much. As GLP-1’s popularity booms, experts are asking, is this a fad or a fundamental shift for the food and beverage industry? New Zealand food producers assume they’re feeding an endlessly hungry world. What happens when the world loses its appetite, eats smaller portions, and no longer wants a leg of...

July 21, 2025 Palmerston North is rapidly evolving into a major economic hub, attracting tech companies, logistics firms, and innovative enterprises thanks to its central location, affordability, and strong infrastructure. With over 120 tech businesses and growing investment in transport and research facilities, it’s gaining a reputation as New Zealand’s Silicon Valley. The city’s economic diversity, resilience, and quality of life are drawing talent and business leaders who see long-term potential in the region. “Once known for students, sports and sheep, this unassuming city...

June 12, 2025 With support from CEDA, FoodHQ Innovation is proud to announce our Food Technology Scholarship is now open for applications! At FoodHQ, we’re passionate about shaping the future of New Zealand’s food and agrifood sectors – and that future begins with our students. This scholarship is our way of supporting the next generation of innovators and changemakers who will lead and transform the industry. The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) connects people, place and business in Manawatū. Working closely with our partners, stakeholders and wider business...

May 14, 2025 Last week, we bid a warm farewell to our wonderful intern, Lilian Macharia, as she wrapped up her placement here at FoodHQ. It has been an absolute pleasure having Lilian as part of our team—her energy, curiosity, and dedication brought so much value to our work and culture. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside her and witness her growth over the course of her internship. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re also excited to see what the future holds for Lilian as she embarks on her next adventure. We have no doubt she’ll continue to...