Future of food panel
16 July 2026 - 16 July 2026
6:30–8:00 pm
Region(s): Otago
Type(s): presentations
Food connects us to each other, the land and our culture. But what is the future of food in Aotearoa New Zealand? And how divergent are our ideas about it depending on our life experiences, values and knowledge? Join this conversation with this panel of food experts as they discuss each other’s answers to the question: “What is your vision for the future of food in NZ?”.
From soil health, food security and community gardens to lab-grown meat and proteins, industry and manufacturing, expect to be challenged, informed and left with plenty to chew on. Bring your curiosity and questions for the panel.
Panelists
The panel of researchers and leaders cover a wide range of expertise and research in fields such as waste minimisation, food sovereignty, biotechnology and systems thinking. The panel will be ably led by celebrated scientist Dame Juliet Gerrard DNZM FRSNZ.
Professor Dame Juliet Gerrard (moderator) – former Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister
Professor Phil Bremer – Chief Scientist for the New Zealand Food Safety Science Research Centre and an academic in the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago
Professor Miranda Mirosa – Head of Department of Food Science, University of Otago and Director of Food Waste Innovation Research Theme.
Sue Smith – Puketeraki Marae Māra Kai coordinator, permaculturist and educator
Dr Olivia Ogilvie – CEO of Opobio Ltd and biotechnology researcher
Daniel Kenna – Co-chair of Future Farmers and kiwifruit orchardist
Pay what you can afford: recommended $15, but choose your own price!
Location: Te Whare o Rukutia, 20 Princes St, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
For more information: https://scifest.org.nz/programme/future-of-food-panel.
Selection of foods
We need energy to enable growth and repair of tissues, to maintain body temperature and to fuel physical activity. Energy comes from foods rich in carbohydrate, protein and fat.
Related content
Explore our wide of resources, some examples below or for more, browse the Food topic.
Cheesemaking – including activities
Making ice cream – a simple fun classroom activity, could be good as an end of term activity
the FOODBOWL – this was set up to facilitate food innovation in New Zealand
find out more about the work Plant & Food Research do in Making new foods
genetic information, consumer research and sensory science are all involved in breeding red-fleshed apples
Explore mahinga kai – the value of natural resources – plants, birds, fish and other resources that sustain life, including the life of people
Kiwi Kai is a virtual farm that enables ākonga to explore the relationships between a healthy environment, healthy kai, healthy people and communities.
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