Category: Tertiary Education

The Riddet Institute was established at Massey University in 2003 by Professor Singh and Professor Moughan. Under their leadership the institute has gone from strength to strength. It was selected as a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in 2008 and is now one of the leading food research centres in the world. It has secured millions of dollars in research funding from the New Zealand and international food industry for innovative food science and technology programmes. In 2012, Professor Singh and Professor Moughan were jointly awarded the Prime Minister’s Science Prize of $500,000, New Zealand’s most valuable award for scientific achievement.

While Professor Moughan will no longer be co-director, he remains very active in the Institute as one of the Principal Investigators. He will also assume the role of Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Institute and to food research in New Zealand.

Professor Singh says, “It has been a privilege and an honour to have worked with Paul as the co-director of Riddet over the last 15 years. Because of his visionary leadership, the Riddet Institute has become one of the premier research centres in the world on a path to sustainable growth. Combining inter-disciplinary and creative thinking, our partnership has set a new vision and direction for food and nutritional sciences research.

“In his new role, we will continue to work together to further strengthen our science leadership and international profile and impact.”

Professor Singh is a world-renowned food scientist, whose research has focused on food colloids, food ingredient functionality, functional foods and food structure-nutrition interface. He has published more than 350 research papers in international journals, has been a co-inventor of 12 patented products/innovations, and has given more than 150 keynote address at international conferences.

In 2013, he was made a Distinguished Professor, the highest academic title the University offers and is normally bestowed on up to 15 professors who have achieved ‘outstanding international eminence in their fields’.

While he has more than proven himself in the academic field, he has also shown great skill as a leader in the scientific community, both in his role leading Riddet, but also heading the School of Food and Nutrition, and the Institute of Food Science and Technology (MIFST) from 2015-2017.

He has been instrumental in brokering important relationships with industry and bringing the best talent to the Centre, such as the recent appointment of Fonterra-Riddet chair in sensory and consumer science. Another highly significant deal has been the establishment of the AgResearch-Massey University Food Science Facility, with an initial investment of $45 million on the Manawatū campus.

Professor Singh has also been instrumental in bringing the world’s best international minds to our shores, including many sabbatical visitors and last year’s International Symposium on the Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems – the first time this high-profile conference was been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

His international standing and outstanding contributions to food science have been recognised by several prestigious awards: the William Haines Dairy Science Award (USA), the Marschall Rhodia International Dairy Science Award (USA), Massey University Research Medal, JC Andrews Award, the Shorland Medal, International Dairy Foods Association Research Award in Dairy Foods (USA). He is an Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, the International Academy of Food Science and Technology, Elected Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Elected Fellow of the United States Institute of Food Technologists.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Research, Academic and Enterprise Professor Giselle Byrnes says the University is delighted Professor Singh has taken on this important leadership role and she looks forward to working with him.

Chair of the Riddet Board Dr Kevin Marshall says, “The Board is delighted that Massey University has appointed Professor Singh as the sole director of the Institute to continue and enhance the great work that has been undertaken over the last decade. 

“The Board also welcomes the on-going involvement of Professor Moughan in the vital research activities of the Institute. His experience, leadership and world class research will continue to grow the Institute’s prestige both domestically and internationally.

It was getting into trouble as a teenager that set Paulé Ruwhiu, Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Porou,
on a social work pathway that will this year, see her complete a PhD.

“I remember mum and dad put me in front of this person called a social worker and he started asking me how I was feeling and all these other questions and I remember thinking – I can so do a better job than you and that idea sort of stuck.” 

With a strong sense of social justice and a desire to fight for the underdog she headed to Massey University in Palmerston North to learn about social work, but says she also found herself on a path of self-discovery. 

Growing up Ms Ruwhiu says she had been disconnected from her Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou roots. “I was born in Timaru in the South Island and at that time in the 1970’s I struggled with being Māori and what that looked like”. Heading to Massey as a mature student years later, one of the elements in the programme was about decolonisation along with kō wai au – knowing yourself.  With the help of strong Māori support I became very secure in my identity – balancing my mother’s Scottish heritage with my Tangata Whenua side.”

Identity is a strong thread in her academic journey. “When I worked in Māori mental health I realised that a lot of the Tangata Whaiora (a person seeking health) we were working with didn’t have a sense of who they are and where they came from, so that sparked the topic for my master’s degree.  I looked at three generations of Māori women and how Te Ao Māori [the Māori world] had been passed down through the generations. I was looking to see who provides you with the skills and tools to be able to build your identity. After completing my Master in Social Work, I left Māori mental health and went into tertiary teaching, and I found many Māori students coming into social work struggled with their identity, which ignited my interest in enrolling into the doctorate programme.”

For her PhD research Ms Ruwhiu chose a topic close to her heart – the process of decolonisation and the experiences of Māori social work students and Māori social workers. 

Now based on Massey’s Auckland campus she says while she misses the hands-on role of social work, teaching has its rewards. “I really enjoy that ‘a ha’ moment, when a student gets what I’m talking about. I’m quite a dynamic teacher – I don’t just stand at the whiteboard. I love to use different medium.” 

This year she will help run four noho marae where students get to stay a night on a marae to experience Māori culture first hand and to also learn about Māori models of practice when working with Tangata Whenua. “A lot haven’t been on a marae before so we work through all that anxiety and at the end of it they just absolutely love it and want to stay another night and that’s really awesome. I’m really in my prime teaching on marae.”

She says a strong sense of identity is crucial for Māori social workers. “It grounds you in your practice and provides you with the ability to connect when working with Māori.” Her advice to Māori students is, “Seek out Māori supports at Massey and make that connection, so you start to form strong relationships in your academic life.”

Preliminary findings from New Zealand’s first online Drug Trends Survey has found methamphetamine is currently more available than cannabis, throughout the country.

The study, carried out by researchers from Massey University’s SHORE and Whāriki Research Centre, aimed to measure the availability of alcohol and drugs and demand for help services for substance use problems in all regions of New Zealand. The first of a series of research bulletins reporting the findings has been released today. Detailed analysis of the findings will be presented to the Ministry of Health and other government agencies later this month.

Lead researcher, Associate Professor Chris Wilkins says higher availability of methamphetamine was found in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Waikato, Manawatu-Wanganui, West Coast and Southland.

The anonymous online survey, promoted via a targeted Facebook campaign, was conducted from November 2017 to February 2018. A total of 6,100 people completed the survey. Participants were asked a series of questions about the availability of the drugs they had used in the past six months. Anonymised surveys were carefully reviewed to ensure high quality and consistent data.

“While there have been anecdotal reports around the country that meth is easier to obtain than cannabis, to date there had been no data available to verify these claims, or confirm the extent of the issue throughout New Zealand,” Dr Wilkins says. “These findings suggest a need to further prioritise the focus on meth, rather than on cannabis. This could include increasing access to help services for substance use problems for people living in the regions.”

Overall, 14 per cent of those who used cannabis described the current availability to be “very easy”, while 54 per cent of methamphetamine users reported the current availability as “very easy”.

“Only 14 per cent of the cannabis users could purchase cannabis in 20 minutes or less, while 31 per cent of the methamphetamine users were able to purchase methamphetamine in 20 minutes or less,” he says.

This raises some serious questions concerning the supply of drugs and policy settings in relation to different drugs types. “Is the higher availability of methamphetamine the result of an intentional strategy by drug dealers who are seeking to maximise profits by promoting the sale of a more addictive drug type with a higher profit margin? Does the current supply reduction strategy need to be refocused on methamphetamine rather than cannabis?

“Methamphetamine is widely considered to be the more harmful drug, but cannabis is more vulnerable to routine law enforcement activity due to the space and time required to cultivate it, and its bulky and distinctive physical appearance and smell,” Dr Wilkins says.

Higher availability of methamphetamine relative to cannabis was found in all regions. “In Northland, 65 per cent of users described the current availability of methamphetamine to be ‘very easy’ compared to only 15 per cent for cannabis. Thirty two percent of the Northland respondents could purchase methamphetamine in 20 minutes or less, compared to only 13 per cent who could purchase cannabis in 20 minutes or less,” Dr Wilkins says.

Regions where lower availability of methamphetamine was found were in Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago.

Survey demographics

Forty-five percent of the sample was female and the average age was 29 years old (range 16-87 years). Twenty-one per cent identified as Māori and 72 per cent Pakeha. Thirty-five percent had completed high school education, 33 per cent a polytech or trade qualification and 28 per cent had a university degree. Eighteen percent were students, 11 per cent unemployed or on a sickness benefit and 65 per cent were employed.

The research was carried out by Dr Wilkins, with Jitesh Prasad, Dr Marta Rychert, Dr Jose Romeo and Thomas Graydon-Guy.

The SHORE and Whāriki Research Centre would like to acknowledge the support of the Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) with special thanks to the Te Runanga O Ngai Te Rangi Iwi Trust.

The HMNZS Canterbury departed on February 26 with Dr Libby Liggins, Dr David Aguirre, technical officer Emma Betty and PhD student Lizzy Myers of Massey’s Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. The 2018 Young Blake Expedition, led by the Sir Peter Blake Trust, and made possible with the support of the Royal New Zealand Navy, involved 20 student voyagers from high schools across the country and 23 crew members, including other scientists from Auckland Museum, University of Auckland, and NIWA.

Science leader Dr Libby Liggins says it was a unique opportunity to combine the interests of several organisations interested in the future of New Zealand’s marine environment.

“Every time we visit Rangitahua we make new discoveries and gain scientific understanding that will help us protect this valuable marine reserve. This visit was made particularly special because we could share these experiences with the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Young Blake student voyagers and Massey University staff members and the Royal New Zealand Navy crew en route to deploy larval and small juvenile fish collectors [credit]: Brendon O’Hagan.

Chance of a lifetime

The experience gave students the chance to apply hands-on knowledge and work alongside scientists, including examining samples and learning how data is collected and put to use to create new knowledge. 

Young voyager Paice Vaughn blogged, “The more I talk with the marine science team on the expedition, the more apparent it becomes that there is still so much to learn about the surprisingly mysterious Kermadec Islands.

“Many of my questions are simply answered with, ‘We actually don’t know yet, but we’d love to find out.’ It still amazes me to think that, right here, in New Zealand’s backyard, in an era where we believe we know so much, there is still so much more to learn.” 

Among the highlights of the expedition were the identification of several species of fish that have been spotted at the Kermadec Islands for the first time. Ms Myers featured on a Newshub story about the new fish discoveries in the Kermadec region last night, which include typically warmer water species such as the sergeant major damselfish, black trevally and rainbow runner. 

Dr Paul Macdermid.

Professor Steve Stannard.

Massey University top finance and economics students Mia Davis and Tony Carroll receive their $1000 scholarships.

Creating an adaptable, resilient workforce

Changing technology, automation and artificial intelligence were reshaping the future of work, Mr Robertson told the audience, and that the solution was “skills training and education and creating an adaptable, resilient workforce”.

“The government has a plan for the economy that is about productivity, sustainability and inclusion,” Mr Robertson said. “If we get that right, we can build on the prosperity we have to ensure it continues and that everybody gets a fair share of it.”

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas asked the business community and government to maintain their connections with Massey.

“Those connections are what makes our qualifications relevant and out graduates work-ready,” she said, “and we need to work with you to identify the problems that we can apply our academics to so we can help find the solutions.” 

The profits from Finance 2018 go to supporting promising students and Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett announced this year’s recipients at the luncheon.

Massey University’s top first-year finance student Mia Davis and top first-year economics student Tony Carroll were each awarded with a $1000 scholarship.