School of Food and Advanced Technology

The School of Food and Advanced Technology explores new ideas in food science and food technology, bioprocess engineering, electronics and computing engineering, mechatronics and engineering management.

Overview

The School of Food and Advanced Technology is committed to supporting New Zealand’s export-driven growth based on high-value products, processes and technologies related to our bio-economy.

Our teaching builds capability in engineering and food. Our internationally recognised researchers apply their skills throughout the supply chain and beyond. Our expertise covers a broad range of engineering and food disciplines.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey

We are deeply committed to being a Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – The Treaty of Waitangi at Massey

Study with us

Choose from a range of qualifications in food science and food technology, including postgraduate study options such as food safety, quality systems or supply chain management.

Scholarships available for first-year food technology students

Explore by area of interest

Explore a selection of qualifications relating to your interests.

Study food & nutrition

Get the most out of food. The most flavour. The best nutrition. Safe and efficient production processes. Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers.

Smiling person in lab coat puts plant samples in a machine Smiling person in lab coat puts plant samples in a machine Smiling person in lab coat puts plant samples in a machine Smiling person in lab coat puts plant samples in a machine

Who we are

Our people make us who we are. Meet senior leaders in the School of Food and Advanced Technology.

Associate Professor Fakhrul Alam

Associate Professor Fakhrul Alam

Associate Professor in Computer Engineering

Fakhrul Alam leads the mechanical and electrical engineering department. His work involves the development of intelligent systems, smart sensors and precision instrumentation. This uses his expertise in wireless and visible light communication, the internet of things (IoT) and signal processing.

Dr Richard Love

Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology

Richard Love leads the food science and technology department. Richard's research interests include:

  • future food systems
  • food engineering
  • food packaging.
Professor Joanne Hort

Professor Joanne Hort

She/Her
Director of Food Experience and Sensory Testing Laboratory (Feast)

Accreditations and rankings

Engineering New Zealand - Washington Accord

Massey's Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is accredited by Engineering NZ under the Washington Accord, allowing our graduates to work internationally.

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Engineering NZ

Massey's Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours is accredited by Engineering NZ, allowing our graduates to work internationally.

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Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) accreditation

Both majors of the BFoodTech (Hons) are approved by the US-based Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

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ShanghaiRanking - Food science and technology

Massey University is ranked as one of the top 75 universities worldwide for Food Science and Technology (out of 300) by ShanghaiRanking.

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Research

Our researchers work collaboratively, blending disciplines to solve problems with global impact. We are future-focused, committed to helping society, communities and industry.

Our engineering research themes include:

  • artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • chemical, bioprocess and environmental engineering
  • electronics, information and communication systems
  • mechatronics, robotics and automation
  • industrial management and innovation.

Our food research themes include:

  • animal nutrition
  • food biosciences
  • food materials
  • food processing and engineering
  • human nutrition.

Research teams and projects

Examples of how our people create and share new knowledge.

Food Experience and Sensory Testing Laboratory (Feast)

Feast is Massey's Food Experience and Sensory Testing Laboratory. Facilities include:

  • mixed/virtual reality suite to mimic settings such as cafes or hospital wards
  • sensory booths
  • testing rooms for tasting panels of consumers or experts.

Students can learn and practice in the laboratory.

Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) laboratory

Quality management and systems

Deals with control, assurance and continual improvement of production and service delivery systems so as to deliver quality and value for the customer in the most efficient and effective ways.

Contact Nigel Grigg

Joint Graduate School of Horticulture and Food Enterprise

A partnership between Massey and Plant & Food Research to offer world-class learning and research opportunities. Massey's teaching and research expertise is complemented by Plant & Food Research's focus on delivering for industry. Staff work together on research and teaching.

Joint Graduate School of Horticulture and Food Enterprise

Telecommunication and Network Engineering Research Group

Telecommunication and Network Engineering research group works on issues that are pertinent to the next generation communication networks. Our focus areas include 5G Cellular Networks, software defined networking, energy harvesting and green communication.

Research centres

Our research centres seek innovative solutions to contemporary issues.

MAF Digital Lab

A research centre applying advanced technology to the primary production, agricultural and food supply chain. We unite and leverage Massey’s diverse capability in precision agriculture, primary production science, horticulture supply chains, sensor technology, robotics, AI and data science.

FoodPILOT

Learn to create and test food and nutrition products, using industrial-standard processing equipment such as:

  • extruders
  • high-pressure processors
  • pasteurising equipment
  • sterilisation equipment.

Businesses from boutique makers to exporters use FoodPILOT to turn ideas into reality.

Location: Manawatū campus

New Zealand Biochar Research Centre

The Centre is internationally recognised, working to advance the understanding of biochar for mitigating global climate change. We also work to enable its use in New Zealand, particularly by the agricultural and forestry sectors.

Centre for Additive Manufacturing

New Zealand’s only dedicated research facility in this field. We have close ties to industry and state-of-the-art equipment, offering expert assistance to:

  • design for additive manufacturing
  • produce commercial prototype components.

Meet our engineering graduates

“The Massey Engineering program is challenging but extremely rewarding. The diverse nature of the subjects promotes critical thinking and teamwork within a technical environment which are crucial skills as you move into the workforce.”
Daniel Konings

Doctor of Philosophy

“Throughout my studies, the engineering academic staff were supportive, encouraging, willing to help and probably, most importantly, they had real industry experience - not just academic and research based.”
Emma Bould

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Mechatronics)

“I chose to study engineering at Massey because I enjoy solving problems. Engineering teaches you problem-solving skills and gives you the ability to find solutions for real-life problems that will result in improving efficiencies and productivity.”
Fatima Bashir

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering)

Opportunities for students

Projects with industry

Students in the final year of the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours work on real-world projects with businesses in the food industry or engineering sector.

Study with Massey in China or Singapore

Massey offers its Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours (Food Product Technology) at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

Study food technology in Singapore

Massey and China's Jiangnan University offer a joint degree in food science and technology. Study for three years at Jiangnan then switch to Massey’s Manawatū campus for the research-intensive fourth year. Graduates will be awarded Jiangnan's Bachelor of Food Science and Engineering and Massey's Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours.

Massey-Jiangnan joint degree

High school resources and workshops

The School can host workshops for Year 12 and 13 students and their teachers. We also offer resources such as videos, posters and hands-on kits.

School resources and workshops

Meet our food graduates

“As I got closer to the end of my degree, I found that everything I had learnt throughout the four years was very practical and applicable in the food industry. And I am proud to say, that after all my hard work, I’ve got a job that I wanted to do.”
Jeen Tae Hwang

Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours

“Being a foodie, I’ve always wanted to try new foods and beverages. I was curious about these were developed and made. This provided a perfect path. I worked on product development projects, from prototypes to launching to market, and gained knowledge in processing technologies and engineering.”
Alcoli Cao

Master of Food Technology

“Studying at Massey has been an invaluable experience for me. It provided a strong foundation, extended my knowledge, and was an excellent gateway to securing my dream job. I am extremely fortunate to have been taught and supervised by world-class academicians who provided excellent guidance and supp”
Ripudaman Kaur

Master of Food Safety and Quality

Services

Massey carries out research for or with businesses and other organisations.

Nutrition Laboratory

The laboratory specialises in analysing food, plant and animal products. The facilities enable nutritional testing of food products, including for:

  • food safety
  • labelling
  • product formulation
  • shelf life.

Food Innovation for business development

FoodPilot's Food Innovation offers advice, consultancy or commissioned research in any area of food science, food technology or the business of food. With extensive food industry experience, we can help with everything from brainstorming concepts to small production trials.

Destructive and non-destructive testing

We have expertise in testing for yield and tensile strength of a range of materials, using destructive and non-destructive methods. Our equipment include a tensilometer and scanning electron microscopes.

Contact the School of Food and Advanced Technology

We teach online and by distance, and on two Massey campuses: Auckland and Palmerston North (Manawatū).

School of Food and Advanced Technology – Auckland campus

Location

Use our Auckland campus maps or find us on Google Maps.

School of Food and Advanced Technology – Manawatū campus

Location

Use our Manawatū campus maps or find us on Google Maps.

Social media

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Looking for a staff member? Visit our staff directory or use Expertise search.