Dealing with NZ’s need for more food innovation

A survey of 24 leading local and global food production companies has reinforced the need for greater collaboration between food researchers — the primary goal of Food Innovation New Zealand (FINZ).

FINZ is a joint venture between New Zealand’s leading food research organisations. Founded by Massey University, AgResearch, Fonterra, Plant & Food Research, the Riddet Institute, and the Bio Commerce Centre with support from Manawatu District Council and Palmerston North City Council, the organisation will promote more collaboration in food research and aims to attract more local and global food companies to commission research in New Zealand.

Dean Tilyard, CEO of the Bio Commerce Centre, says the survey has provided valuable insight on how New Zealand’s food research capability is viewed by its customers and opportunities for the new organisation.

“As we build towards the official launch in August, the survey results will help shape FINZ and ensure it is focused on the things that matter to potential customers.”

The research unearthed a number of challenges facing the global food research industry including the need to facilitate more open innovation, and for research organisations to become better at focusing research on commercial outcomes.

“With the desire for greater collaboration at the heart of the new organisation and the recent experience of a number of the partners in helping New Zealand business Speirs Nutritionals Ltd have great commercial success with its new omega-3 technology, we think FINZ is in an excellent position to address these challenges,” says Tilyard.

The survey also included specific questions about the New Zealand food research industry and the scale of local capability was identified as a barrier to commissioning research in New Zealand.

“FINZ has been established specifically to address the issue of scale,” says Tilyard. “It will bring New Zealand’s research organisations closer together, promote collaboration that will see multi-disciplinary teams drawing on the different capabilities of the partners and provide one point of contact where potential customers can access all of New Zealand’s food research expertise.”