Minister Andrew Hoggard visits College of Sciences on Manawatū campus

Minister Hoggard was welcomed onto campus by Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas and Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Sciences Professor Ray Geor. His tour began with a visit to the Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science where he met with Head of School Professor Jon Huxley. A highlight of the visit was checking out the new Ngā Huia building, currently under construction, which will enhance the school’s capabilities for cutting-edge research in veterinary science by offering research spaces for staff, technicians and postgraduate students.

The Minister also explored the Clinical Laboratory, where students hone their large animal veterinary skills using award-winning models that support the school’s commitment to refining, replacing and reducing animal use when possible. He also visited the Pathology Laboratory, which opened in 2021 and offers world-class facilities including an open-plan post-mortem area, preparation and storage facilities and walk-in fridges and freezers.

Next, the Minister visited Dairy 1 Farm, where he was joined by Head of School of Agriculture and Environment Professor Paul Kenyon and Associate Professor Lucy Burkitt. Together, they discussed the progress being made with Whenua Haumanu, the country’s largest research programme on conventional and regenerative pastoral agriculture. Minister Hoggard took a driving tour through Dairy 1, Dairy 4, the Plant Crop Research Unit and the Plant Growth Unit, learning more about the innovative research taking place at Massey.

The tour also included a look at the diverse facilities supporting agriculture and horticulture. As a farmer himself, Minister Hoggard enjoyed discussing the pasture diversity and benefits of the different pasture managements with respect to animal rearing.

The morning concluded with a visit to the Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) Laboratory, hosted by its director, Professor Joanne Hort. Over morning tea, the Minister was introduced to the cutting-edge sensory testing research that supports the food industry in delivering products that meet consumer needs.

The immersive digital sensory space was a particular highlight, allowing him to experience the technology firsthand, along with a sensory test of products linked to the Whenua Haumanu programme. He enjoyed the change of digital environment as he went from harbour side in Sydney, to Foxton Beach to the Massey Library, all in seconds.

Reflecting on the visit, Minister Hoggard shared that it was fantastic to see the innovative work Massey is doing to shape the future. As a Massey alumnus himself, he was interested to see the changes that had occurred both on campus and on the farms, as well as at his old hall, Rotary Court.

“Massey University really does have everything related to the agrifood chain. I saw the links being made in Massey’s research from the land via the farms and agricultural science, to animal health via its vet school and animal science programmes, through to food technology and consumer science with the Feast team. It was a wonderful experience, and I look forward to seeing more on my next visit.”

Professor Geor says it was a wonderful having the opportunity to show the Minister around to see for himself how Massey is advancing the fields of food, agriculture, veterinary and animal science.

“It was great to be able to show the Minister some of Massey’s strengths. Our flagship qualifications within these key areas, as well as our world class research, means we are the number one ranked university in the country for agriculture, as well as number one in the Asia-Australasia region for veterinary science. Our world-ranked food technology group is also at the cutting-edge and supports the food industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Minister had the chance to ask lots of questions and really understand the work that we are doing. We had some great conversations, it was a pleasure to host him, and we look forward to seeing him again in the future.”