Imagine trying to develop a nutritious fish feed for a very picky eater that is only 5 mm long. That’s the challenge scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao are tackling as they work to develop new foods for larval fish. Their research could help reduce reliance on traditional live feeds and support a more resilient aquaculture industry, one of the world’s fastest-growing food production sectors.

In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Julie Blommaert joins scientist Hemi Cumming to explore the surprisingly complex world of feeding tiny fish.  They discuss the challenge of creating a microfeed that delivers the right nutrition while also behaving like the live food larval fish naturally respond to. One of the main live feeds currently used in aquaculture is Artemia, brine shrimp many people will know as Sea-Monkeys. But relying on Artemia comes with risks, including supply uncertainty and the potential for disease. Could a specially designed microfeed provide a more reliable alternative?

Dive into the science behind creating very small food for very small fish and discover why getting it right could make a big difference for the future of aquaculture.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Yellow-legged hornets pose a significant threat to honey bee colonies. While New Zealand's biosecurity response efforts are providing reasons for optimism, overseas experience offers important lessons on how colonies, beekeepers and industries adapt when hornets arrive. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Andrew Dare speaks to Dr James Sainsbury, who recently completed a research project developing a yellow-legged hornet readiness guide for the apiculture industry. They discuss what we can learn from overseas experience and how this research can support New Zealand’s current biosecurity response. If you think you’ve seen a yellow-legged hornet, take a photo and report it to MPI by calling 0800 80 99 66 or emailing [email protected]. For more information and to see photos of the hornet please see the MPI information page here: https://bit.ly/Y-LH

In the second part of this Scigest conversation, host Dr Hilary Ireland continues her discussion with recently retired mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan, exploring the legacy of a career that spanned five decades of fungal research, collaboration and science communication.

 

Peter reflects on the scientists whose work laid the foundations for today's advances in mycology and discusses the importance of fungal conservation, including the traditional Māori uses of fungi. He also shares his commitment to engaging New Zealanders with fungal science through books, Fungal Forays, Bioblitz events, the NZ's Favourite Fungus public vote, and Ngā Hekaheka o Aotearoa, a bilingual teaching resource. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how research, collaboration and public engagement can deepen understanding of New Zealand's remarkable fungal diversity. See link to the video on the vegetable caterpillar fungus:https: //bit.ly/4zhgaKp. Also the $50 bank note: https://bit.ly/4ztiLB1

Fungi underpin the health of our ecosystems, yet they're one of the least understood groups of organisms. In this episode of Scigest, host Dr Hilary Ireland sits down with recently retired mycologist Dr Peter Buchanan, whose remarkable 50-year career has helped transform our understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand's fungi.

 

In the first of this two-part conversation, Peter shares the experiences that shaped his career and lifelong interest in fungi. He discusses fungal diversity, the importance of taxonomy and plant pathology, and the role fungi play in crop production, disease management and post-harvest storage. Peter also reflects on how molecular biology has transformed fungal research, opening new opportunities to understand fungal relationships, identify pathogens and improve disease management.

Part 2 of this conversation will be available from 17 August.

Vegetable caterpillar fungi link: www.sciencelearn.org.nz/videos/768-vegetable-caterpillar-fungi

Peter Buchanan profile: www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1445-dr-peter-buchanan

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Red needle cast is one of the most significant diseases affecting New Zealand's radiata pine forests. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Darryl Herron sits down with forest pathologist Emily McLay to discuss why the disease is such a challenge for forest growers and how our science helps forest growers better predict, prepare for and manage it.

 Tune in to hear how cutting-edge research is helping protect the forests that support our economy, environment and communities.

Red Needle Cast Regional Risk Forecasting website: https://fgr.nz/tools/red-needle-cast-regional-risk-forecasting.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Data is transforming the way we do science. In this episode of scigest, host and scientist Tom Moore sits down with Principal Scientist Dr Linley Jesson to explore her fascinating career journey from ornithology and plant biology to genomics and data science. Linley shares how influential mentors helped shape her path, the curiosity that led her from studying bird behaviour to the intricacies of plant reproduction, and how her research has evolved alongside the rapid growth of genomic technologies.

 

The conversation delves into her work on plant reproductive biology, moss genomics and the increasingly vital role of data science in unlocking new scientific insights. Linley also reflects on the importance of mentoring the next generation of researchers, embracing change throughout a scientific career, and finding opportunities to innovate in an evolving research landscape.

 

Whether you're curious about the future of data-driven science or the winding career paths that lead to groundbreaking research, this episode offers insight into the people behind the data.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Wildfires can be devastating for New Zealand’s communities and landscapes and they’re becoming more frequent, with the country experiencing an average of 3400 wildfires annually over the past 31 years, burning 5700 hectares of land. Understanding how wildfires behave is key to helping people prepare for and cope with their impact.

 

 In this episode of Scigest, host and scientist Nicola Sulivan speaks to fire ecologist Shana Gross about the Bioeconomy Science Institute's role in supporting firefighters and communities, including publishing national-scale wildfire hazard potential data and developing a toolkit to enhance understanding of wildfire behaviour. Gross also discusses the impact of human activities, climate change and the importance of community preparedness when it comes to wildfires.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

What practical steps can Aotearoa New Zealand take to strengthen its energy security while creating jobs and reducing environmental impacts?

 In this episode of Scigest, host and scientist Darryl Herron talks with Paul Bennett, Integrated Bioenergy Portfolio Lead at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, about the opportunities for locally produced bioenergy and biofuels.

Drawing on New Zealand's existing woody biomass resources, the team is exploring how scalable bioenergy solutions could help reduce the country's long-term fuel insecurity, support regional economic growth, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

 Tune in to learn how science is helping unlock New Zealand's bioeconomy potential and what it could mean for our energy future.

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

Developing new plant varieties helps keep consumers interest in crops and also assists growers manage environmental challenges, such as new pests and diseases and changing climates. In this latest "Science life for me” series podcast, scientist and Scigest host Dion Mundy speaks to berry breeder Pauline Kerbiriou about her role, the importance of plant breeding, and the characteristics that breeders look for in a new variety. We also talk to Pauline about her journey so far as a scientist, and share some useful tips for young scientists in their careers. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

The Allan Herbarium houses plant species from around the world, with a particular focus on indigenous and exotic plants of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the South Pacific. It contains approximately 800,000 specimens, which include dried plants, lichens, mosses, liverworts, seeds, fruits, wood, liquid-preserved specimens, and microscope slides.

 

In this Scigest episode, host and scientist Rebecca Bloomer speaks with Allan Herbarium curator Jessie Prebble and collections manager Ines Schonberger about the science, history and global collaborations behind the collection. Jessie shares how the Herbarium supports research and public engagement, while Ines offers insight into the day-to-day work of managing and preserving the collection. Together, they explore the Herbarium’s remarkable history — including specimens collected during Captain Cook’s first voyage — and discuss how these centuries-old collections continue to support modern science, from DNA analysis to biosecurity research. For more information on the collection please see: https://tinyurl.com/Allan-Herbarium

To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links mentioned in this podcast please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest