Specialise in Future Food for your Master of Impact and Innovation at Massey
The Future Food specialisation prepares you to shape how food systems are changing and what they could become. You’ll investigate how food is produced, processed, distributed and consumed, while considering the cultural, social, environmental and economic factors that shape these systems. This broad perspective helps you engage with complex challenges and respond to emerging opportunities in the global and local food landscape.
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate food system practices and innovations, balancing scientific evidence with ethical considerations and long-term wellbeing. Through a mix of science and business-focused courses, you can tailor your learning to areas such as food safety, quality, nutrition, packaging, processing concepts, global markets and sustainable production. This allows you to build expertise that is both technically grounded and socially aware, with opportunities to critically engage with Indigenous knowledge and deepen your understanding of connections between food, culture and place.
A key strength of this specialisation is the flexibility to choose how you apply your learning in your final application course. You can complete a capstone project to design and deliver an impactful solution, undertake work-integrated learning within an organisation or develop a research report that generates evidence-based insights. This choice allows you to tailor your experience to your career ambitions while adding depth, independence and real-world relevance to your expertise in future-focused food systems.
Become a sought-after employee
Studying towards your master's is a satisfying and challenging process that will give you a sought-after postgraduate qualification.
Why postgraduate study?
Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The workload of the postgraduate diploma replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles.
Not just more of the same
Postgraduate study is not just ‘more of the same’ as undergraduate study. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise, especially in planning and undertaking research.
A Master of Impact and Innovation in Future Food is a good fit if you:
- Want to apply your knowledge to real-world or research challenges in future food systems
- Want to be part of shaping more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Impact and Innovation is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
The first part gives you good knowledge and skills that will help you with the research part of your qualification.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Courses you can enrol in
Core courses for the Master of Impact and Innovation
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Master of Impact and Innovation core courses
Future Food courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 230700 Sustainable Food Systems 15 credits
This course explores the cultural, social, health, economic, and environmental dimensions of contemporary food systems. Students examine how food is produced, governed, and consumed, and consider challenges and responsibilities such as sustaining local food economies, improving system wide sustainability and understanding of indigenous knowledges and connections to food. The course also introduces methods for evaluating sustainability related claims and investigates how public values and perceptions of food are shaped. Students apply this understanding to develop effective, socially informed communication strategies for educating diverse audiences about food-system issues.
View full course detailsScience focused courses
Course code: 141710 Food Packaging Engineering and Legislation 15 credits
The properties of packaging materials and requirements of labelling/legislation and the implications of choice on product shelf life, integration with processing, transport, traceability and information systems, and impact on consumer interaction with the product, sustainability and product cost are explored as part of this course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141720 Advanced Food Quality 30 credits
Critical reviews, case studies, advanced study and/or research into selected aspects of food quality.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141723 Industrial Systems Improvement 15 credits
This course covers: innovation and operations management within food industry production and supply chain systems; design, planning, control and continuous improvement of processes in industrial systems; methods and measures for quality control and daily decision-making in food and related businesses; and leadership and management of teams in the workplace.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141730 Toxins and Food Safety 15 credits
An exploration of the variety of toxins in foods from different sources and their management in the food industry.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141731 Allergens and Food Intolerance 15 credits
The growing concern with food allergies and intolerance is the issue of food allergens. This course examines the mechanisms of food allergy and intolerance, the identification of allergenic compounds, and the management of product development and production to ensure sensitive individuals are not exposed to such components.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141732 Integration of Food Safety and Nutrition 15 credits
This course will explore the integration of food safety and nutrition from a range of perspectives including policy, food regulation, food formulation and consumer choice and health.
View full course detailsBusiness focused courses
Course code: 112702 International Agri-Food Marketing Strategies 15 credits
An advanced study of international agri-food business and marketing. Emphasis is placed on international consumers and agri-food exports, including external environment, terms of trade, transportation, packaging, documentation, methods of payment, risk management, intercultural communication and negotiation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 112747 International Food and Agribusiness Strategies 15 credits
Contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of agribusiness strategies, structures and institutions in the context of agricultural trade and environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains. Case studies are used extensively throughout the course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178740 Global Food Markets and Trade 15 credits
An economic analysis of the global food markets with emphasis on international trade, agri-food policies, and on the industrial organisation of the contemporary food sector.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Impact and Innovation you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification having achieved a minimum B grade average, as calculated over courses defined in the Postgraduate General Regulations; or
- the Postgraduate Diploma in Impact and Innovation or and equivalent qualification.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
Course fees
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarships and awards
Search our scholarships and awardsCareers and job opportunities
Careers and job opportunities
A Master in Impact and Innovation (Future Food) equips you to take on advanced, independent and leadership-focused roles within food and agrifood sectors.
Possible roles include:
- Food systems or sustainability consultant
- Food policy or strategic advisor
- Researcher in food systems or sustainability
- Project lead in food innovation, sustainability or systems change.
Related study options
Food Process Engineering – Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
The world needs healthy and safe food products and ingredients manufactured on a large scale. New food products pose challenging and exciting process design problems that you can help solve.
Food Product Technology – Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
Learn how to develop the great-tasting food products of the future, incorporating exciting new nutritional health benefits.
Food Systems – Bachelor of Impact and Innovation
Build the skills to transform food systems by combining science, business, health and social sciences.
Future Food – Postgraduate Diploma in Impact and Innovation
Build advanced expertise to analyse and respond to the challenges shaping future food systems.
Graduate Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology – GDipDairySciTec
An invaluable qualification for new and established employees across the dairy sector.
Master of Food Safety and Quality – MFoodSafQual
Enhance your career in the food industry with a Master of Food Safety and Quality. You will play a key role in managing food safety and quality in any food manufacturing company, food auditing company, or regulatory authority.
Master of Food Technology – MFoodTech
Massey’s Master of Food Technology will provide you with the practical skills needed to undertake independent research in the food industry. Become a research and development champion in the food industry.
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