Partnership to explore mussel research

Plant & Food Research and Kono Seafood will be exploring how research and mātauranga Māori can work together to support the development of Greenshell mussel nutraceuticals, thanks to new funding from the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund.

The new funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment will support staff placements in both organisations. Kono staff will spend time at the Plant & Food Research Seafood Research Unit to learn skills in lipid chemistry and analysis to support the breeding of Greenshell^™ mussels with high concentrations of oils for use in high-value lipid nutraceuticals. Plant & Food Research staff will build a better understanding of the company’s values and aspirations, and how scientific research and mātauranga Māori can work together to support the seafood industry.

“Māori businesses are key to the future success of New Zealand’s primary industries, and understanding how the Māori culture and science can work together will help realise the potential of Māori assets,” says Andy Elliot of Kono NZ LP. “By sharing ideas and skills we hope to be able to build a relationship of mutual understanding and identify ways in which Plant & Food Research’s science can support the development of Kono’s business in the future.”

Under the VMCF scheme, Plant & Food Research scientists will also be working with Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, Massey University and other FoodHQ partners to identify potential R&D projects to develop new products and markets that support the growth of AFL’s business.

“We are delighted to be able to work more closely with the seafood industry and understand how their business embraces mātauranga Māori,” says Dr Bruce Campbell, Chief Operating Officer of Plant & Food Research. “For Plant & Food Research, our kōrero with Māori has enabled us to work with Māori food businesses to develop new products that deliver competitive advantage and we look forward to developing these relationships further.”