Ngati Porou and Riddet Institute launch food science partnership

Ngati Porou and Riddet Institute launch food science partnership

Ngati Porou Holding Company Ltd (Holdco), the wealth generating arm of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, and the Riddet Institute have joined forces to better support food innovation and development of Ngati Porou iwi.

Holdco owns and administers $240m in commercial assets including equity investments, and farming, seafood, horticulture, manuka, property and tourism businesses. 

Ngati Porou Holding Company Chief Executive Officer Shayne Walker says that the scientific co-creation partnership is aimed at generating sustainable profits for the benefit of Ngati Porou now and in the future.

“We are excited at the partnership with Riddet as we share aspirations in growing career pathways in a space that is natural for us.”

 

 

 

Pictured left: Ngati Porou Holding Company Chief Executive Officer Shayne Walker, left, and Riddet Institute Director Dist. Prof Harjinder Singh celebrate the collaborative research partnership

The strategy will include diversification of iwi land use and the continued development of high-value products and supply chains by leveraging local resources.

“Ngati Porou traditionally has some of the most fertile lands in Aotearoa, if not the world, and have a long history of growing kai that is both natural, healthy, and sustainable.” Mr Walker said.

The Riddet Institute is an internationally recognised Centre of Research Excellence in food science and related disciplines, hosted by Massey University in Palmerston North.

The Institute is at the frontier of food materials science, nutrition, and health, and develops the science leaders of tomorrow to ensure an innovative and vibrant food sector and long-lasting socio-economic benefits for all of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Institute’s Director, Dist. Prof Harjinder Singh, says the Riddet Institute is delighted to announce the collaboration.

“A strategic partnership with Ngati Porou is an effective way for us to support academic pathways facilitating Maori research scholarship. Together with the potential from indigenous innovation and new food product development, we also hope to support the iwi’s sustainable economic growth and future direction.” 

Joint activities began over summer 2021/22 when Ngati Porou, the Riddet Institute and Pūhoro STEMM Academy entered a tripartite arrangement to create meaningful career pathways for rangatahi who whakapapa to Ngati Porou.

Ngati Porou rangatahi Raythe Tanoa-Te Purei, a student enrolled at Massey University and in Pūhoro’s Te Urunga Pae programme, took up a summer internship with iwi members and the Ngati Porou innovation team, looking at the Waiapu awa (river), Ruatoria whenua (land) and sustainable food production

“Raythe not only completed a valuable piece of work that fits into our strategic agenda but has commenced a platform for Ngati Porou whanau to become involved in their iwi business early,” says Mr Walker.

Pictured left: Ngati Porou rangatahi Raythe Tanoa-Te Purei researched sustainable food production in a summer internship.

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For more information, please contact:

Shayne Walker, Chief Executive Officer Ngati Porou Holding Company, Phone: 027 361 6377

Melanie Ruffell, Stakeholder Relationship Manager Riddet Institute, Phone: 021 830 339