Organic sector strategy
Project start: January 2021
Project completed: November 2021
MPI funding: $212,500
Industry funding: $163,000
Industry partner: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand
Region: Nationwide
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand worked with organic sector stakeholders and others interested in converting to organic to develop a three-year organic sector growth strategy. This will enable the industry to understand and plan for constraints and opportunities around organic consumption, production and processing growth. The strategy identified ways to leverage New Zealand’s organic standard locally and internationally.
Hemp R& D Phase 1
Project start: 5 November 2020
Project completed: 24 September 2021
MPI funding: $96,000
Industry funding: $150,000
Industry partner: NZ Yarn Limited
Region: Canterbury
Project summary: This project informed the development of innovative, clean and sustainable technology to produce fit-for-purpose hemp fibre. It tested a range of technologies and evaluated them for their effectiveness and efficiency in separating and processing hemp fibre from the stems. NZ Yarn will use these findings to set up a leading-edge natural fibre processing line.
Innovating for a sustainable future
Project start: 14 November 2020
Project completed: 15 January 2021
MPI funding: $104,500
Industry funding: $26,000
Industry partners: BioTech NZ, NZTech, AbbVie, Callaghan Innovation, MBIE, ATEED
Region: Nationwide
This project produced an analysis of the state of biotechnology in New Zealand and its impact and benefits for the economy and society.
Aotearoa New Zealand boosted by biotech: Innovating for a sustainable future [PDF, 9 MB]
Feasibility of growing hi-oleic peanuts in Northland
Project start: 21 September 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $59,535
Industry funding: $31,785
Industry partner: Picot Productions Ltd, Plant & Food Research
Region: Northland
Four sites were established at Kai iwi lakes, Te Kopuru, Ruawai, and Kerikeri to determine the feasibility of growing hi-oleic peanuts in Northland. Four cultivars were trialled, and valuable agronomic information was collected regarding varying soil types and specific weed, pest, and disease challenges. One cultivar performed well, suggesting commercial yields similar to average yields in Australia could be achieved. Further research is required to validate commercial viability.
Media release: Pic’s Peanut Butter to trial growing peanuts in Northland
Feasibility of growing Hi-Oleic peanuts in Northland: final report [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Kabocha innovation project
Project start: 15 September 2020
Project completed: 1 year
MPI funding: $95,890
Industry funding: $143,835
Industry partners: Kabocha Milk Co
Region: Hawke’s Bay
This project successfully developed a 'kabochamilk' beverage for export to Asian markets, using lower-grade New Zealand grown buttercup squash. The SFF Futures co-investment boosted Kabocha Milk Co’s efforts to formulate, manufacture, and market a shelf-stable product. Kabochamilk is fully vegan, and free from artificial flavours and colours. The company has already made agreements with distributors in Japan and Korea.
New Zealand grown and manufactured Kabochamilk heading for Asian market
A scoping study of x-ray technology as a potential phytosanitary treatment for New Zealand fresh produce exports
Project start: 28 April 2020
Project completed: 21 December 2020
MPI funding: $96,832
Industry funding: $121,168
Industry partners: Apples and Pears
Region: Nationwide
The horticulture industry investigated the potential use of x-ray technology for treating fruit and vegetables as a pest control treatment. The treatment is increasingly used globally and could provide new export opportunities for New Zealand. The report details fruit and vegetables suitable for x-ray treatment and the feasibility of building a facility in New Zealand based on potential use.
Unified approach to vegetable on-farm biosecurity
Project start: 18 January 2020
Project completed: 22 July 2020
MPI funding: $14,700
Industry funding: $24,900
Industry partners: Onions NZ (lead), Vegetables NZ Inc, Tomatoes NZ Inc, Processed Vegetables Inc, New Zealand Buttercup Squash Council, NZ Asparagus Council
Region: Nationwide
Onions New Zealand developed two on-farm biosecurity manuals for covered crops and outdoor crops, in collaboration with other product groups in the vegetable sector. The case studies explain the impacts, procedures and reactive methods that were used in New Zealand during previous horticultural incursions.
Download Vegetable Growers’ On-Farm Biosecurity Manual: Guide for Covered Crops
Download Vegetable Growers’ On-Farm Biosecurity Manual: Guide for Outdoor Crops
Phosphine treatment of avocados
Project start: 25 November 2019
Project completed: 2 March 2021
MPI funding: $40,000
Industry funding: $60,000
Industry partner: New Zealand Avocado
Region: Nationwide
New Zealand Avocado tested treating avocados to reduce the presence of common quarantine pests, while maintaining fruit quality. Researchers found 3,000ppm phosphine for 48 hours is a promising treatment, achieving 100% mortality of scale insects and approximately 20% of mould mites with minimal impacts to fruit quality.
Sustainable vineyard floor project
Project start: 25 July 2019
Project completed: 30 September 2020
MPI funding: $23,050
Industry funding: $34,576
Industry partner: Villa Maria Estate
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Villa Maria investigated an alternative to the conventional practice of maintaining the area under grapevines as bare dirt using chemical or mechanical methods. It researched the impact of planting native plants and cover crops under the vines instead of using herbicide.
Native plants trialled as an alternative to herbicides in vineyards [PDF, 1.1 MB]
