Director's Update

It has been wonderful to see the momentum building across the NZFSSRC community. We continue to welcome new members who are bringing fresh perspectives to our Industry Leaders Group and sector taskforces, while engagement through the Aotearoa Food Safety Champions network continues to grow. We've also showcased the value and impact of food safety science at events such as the Horticulture New Zealand Conference and the Red Meat Conference, highlighting how research, collaboration and innovation contribute to the strength and resilience of New Zealand's food sectors.

One of the things I am most excited about this year is our upcoming Industry Futures Forum, FutureSafe 2035: Building Resilient Food Safety Systems for a Changing World. The pace of change is accelerating. Climate change, emerging hazards, artificial intelligence, changing consumer expectations and evolving regulatory environments will all shape the future of food safety. This forum is an opportunity to lift our eyes beyond today's challenges and collectively consider what New Zealand must do now to remain trusted, resilient and globally competitive. I encourage you to join us in Wellington on 3 November and help shape the conversation about the future of food safety in Aotearoa. 

At the same time, I encourage members to make the most of the MPI co-funding available through NZFSSRC. In the current funding environment, this support provides a valuable opportunity to tackle industry challenges, access research expertise, build future capability through student projects, and accelerate innovation. If you have an idea, a problem to solve, or an opportunity you'd like to explore, please get in touch. You may be able to do it through your industry association if they are NZFSSRC member.  We're here to help connect you with the right people and identify the best pathway to access available funding and support

Published on: 25 September 2026