Food technology combines food science, nutrition, business, engineering and marketing to help shape the foods of the future. Yet many secondary school students have little idea what a food technologist does or how rewarding a career in food technology can be in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our country produces enough food to feed more than 40 million people each year, and our economy is driven by food exports.
Through the inaugural Food Innovation Youth Summit, Massey University aims to show Year 12 and 13 students what food technology is all about. Over three days, participants will take part in hands-on activities and workshops designed to bring the subject to life.
The packed programme includes scientific experiments, exploration of emerging technologies and challenges, making food in the Food Pilot (the southern hemisphere’s largest pilot-scale food production facility) and testing their senses in the one-of-a-kind Feast (Food Experience and Sensory Testing) Laboratory. Students will gain a real sense of whether this exciting career path is right for them.
Massey staff from the School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences will be joined by members of the Food HQ regional consortium, including the Bioeconomy Research Institute and local companies within the food valley ecosystem in and around Palmerston North. Together, the team plan to deliver food factory tours that bring laboratory learning to life, alongside authentic university experiences such as staying on campus and connecting with other students from across the country who share a passion for food innovation. Additional activities may include visits to local attractions, creating new flavour combinations using Massey’s soft ice cream machine and enjoying the on-campus recreation centre to round out the schedule.
This residential university camp is generously funded by Future Food Aotearoa and the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA), with support from FoodHQ.
FoodHQ CEO Dr Victoria Hatton, who is co-ordinating sessions on the future of food and visits to local food companies, says it has been exciting bringing the programme together and she looks forward to hosting the students.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s trailblazers, and the Food Innovation Youth Summit is where that journey begins. By opening the doors of university labs and innovation spaces to high school students, we’re inviting them into the beating heart of New Zealand’s food innovation system to experience what it would be like to experiment, collaborate and dream up solutions that will reshape how Aotearoa grows, makes and shares food.”
“We want students to see that food technology isn’t only about science on a plate; it’s about people, planet and possibilities. It’s about designing a future where creativity meets care, where sustainability drives ingenuity, and where every young mind feels empowered to be part of something bigger than themselves. At FoodHQ, we believe that by sparking curiosity and connection now, we can help grow the changemakers who will lead Aotearoa’s food future.”
Head of the School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences Professor Jamie Quinton is delighted that the event will show those who participate what a great career pathway food technology offers. Massey’s Food Technology degree has been a cornerstone of the university since its inception in 1964 and trains many of the nation's food technology workforce.
“Massey was founded nearly 100 years ago and began as an agricultural college that studied food systems. From our very beginning, our professors worked with industry on food problems and that tradition continues to this day at Massey University. But what we really need are food technologists that are ready for the future. Those young creative minds that want to invent new products, create a better, fairer food system or support the planet and us by minimising and repurposing food waste, and helping our food production withstand climate change.”
“These are challenges we are all facing and without the next generation of food technologists coming through, we will face increasing food security, food inequality and food-related non-communicable disease issues globally. If you know of anyone with this kind of passion for food and science, please encourage them to apply and join us in January 2026!” Professor Quinton says.
Massey is seeking applications for the summit until Friday 31 October 2025. There are limited spaces on the summit and while the cost for the course per student is $1500, only a $100 contribution is required. Bursaries of up to $500 for travel will be allocated to those students that are travelling further to reach the campus in Palmerston North. To apply, students will need to submit a personal statement and a teacher reference.
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