Tuesday, 25 July 2023 11:55

Former Speaker to chair Riddet Institute

Written by  Staff Reporters
Sir Lockwood Smith. Sir Lockwood Smith.

Former Parliament Speaker and diplomat Sir Lockwood Smith is the new chair of the Riddet Institute.

The institute is a CoRE or Centre for Research Excellence, headquartered on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North. It is the country's premier national centre for fundamental and strategic scientific research in food science and novel food processing. It employs leading scientists from research institutes within NZ and overseas.

Smith replaces Stuart McCutcheon, who passed away suddenly at the beginning of 2023.

Smith says the new board role reflects his interest in science and his enthusiasm for the work of the Riddet Institute in food science. He says science is particularly important as our food industry is grounded in evidence-based nutritional research.

"What worries me today is that science is now being downplayed more and more. People desperately need high standards in food research, to ensure the science of food advances in the best way possible for the best outcomes for future populations. This is where the Riddet Institute work is so valuable," he says.

He says the Riddet Institute has an international reputation and a high profile that is well deserved, and he is looking forward to supporting its work through his role as board chair.

More like this

Milk research wins global dairy award

A food scientist from the Riddet Institute has wowed judges at an international dairy industry award, confirming the Palmerston North institute's strength in milk research.

Featured

Alliance Group's Heat Pump Programme Wins Energy Award

Alliance Group's $16 million programme to install innovative heat pump systems at its Otago and Southland processing plants wins a New Zealand Energy Excellence Award after cutting annual emissions by more than 24,000 tonnes of CO₂e.

Chopped Salad Trend Arrives With NZ's Fresh Spring Veges

Bigger, bolder salads packed with colour, crunch and flavour are making headlines overseas — and the arrival of fresh spring vegetables means New Zealanders can now get chopping too, creating their own Great Kiwi Spring Salad.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Domestic Focus

OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…

A No-Brainer

OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter