Philanthropist and Professor focused on growing our horticultural future

During more than 15 years of leadership in postharvest horticulture at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University Dr East has gained international recognition for his expertise in postharvest horticulture: the science and technology systems that enable the successful global trade of fresh produce.

Dr East is particularly well known for his relationship with the kiwifruit industry, through Zespri, and assisting the sector with processes and technology when new cultivars are commercialised. Each release of a new cultivar creates new technical challenges with the potential to impact fruit quality and brand reputation. Technical specialists like Dr East work behind the scenes within the industry to solve these problems and provide industry with best practice guidelines.

Over the past 15 years, Dr East has supervised, or co-supervised, more than 20 PhD doctoral researchers in postharvest horticulture. The new Chair position will enable him to focus on intensifying his own kiwifruit research efforts, as well as research for other sectors such as avocado, blueberries, vegetables and feijoas. The Chair’s goals also include enabling up to 10 PhD candidates and six master’s students to graduate while conducting horticultural projects over the next 10 years.

The Chair’s budget includes funding for travel, conferences, and collaboration with key industry and academic partners. New Zealand’s horticulture sector has approximately tripled in value over the past 15 years and there are big goals to double its export value again by 2035.

“This Chair is about more than research,” Dr East says. “It’s about building more networks and capability in the horticultural sector. Not unlike other industries, horticulture faces challenges with aging expertise and squeezed research funding budgets. We need to collectively work together to continue to deliver impactful research, while also developing talent in order to underpin a resilient, innovative horticulture sector.”

The MSA Chair in Horticultural Production and Postharvest Management has been made possible through a donation of $1.6 million which will be gifted over the next five years by Massey alumnus and longtime philanthropist, Matthew Abel.

Mr Abel has gifted two Chairs to the Massey Business School through the Massey University Foundation, but this is his first gift towards primary sector education and research.

“I would describe my motivation as 50 per cent about helping the New Zealand economy and 50 per cent supporting Massey University. I have seen firsthand how these roles encourage PhD and master’s students to pursue research, which supports their academic and professional development.

Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment, says Mr Abel’s generosity will make a tangible difference.

“It will propel Andrew and his team to not only ensure our country’s export produce reaches its destination in a high-quality state, ensuring great returns for our growers, it will also help develop New Zealand’s next generation of researchers.”

Mr Abel’s gift is administered by the Massey University Foundation.