Summer Wright (Ngāti Maniapoto, Pākehā) is a dietitian, Co-Convenor of OraTaiao, and current PhD candidate at Massey University. Passionate about food sovereignty and social justice issues, Summer’s PhD will investigate the social and economic opportunities for Māori businesses in plant-based foods, under the umbrella of the Future Foods Catalyst Programme.

Her research will also assess overseas demand for these products and generate insights for alternative land-use decisions for Māori businesses and landowners. Summer’s research will help carve a path forward, moving us towards a brighter future – one where food systems aren’t so exploitative of people, planet or animals!

In this conversation we discuss:
• Summer’s background and interest in nutrition
• Motivation behind Summer’s PhD thesis; ‘Unique Value Proposition of Māori Plant-based Foods’
• How Summer’s research aligns with Tikanga Māori
• Land as vital to Māori prosperity and history of land alienating policies
• Key concerns regarding consumer choice of plant-based proteins
• The need to better integrate education around sustainable food systems into the nutrition and dietetic curriculum
• The disconnect between food system intensification and impact on planetary health
• Opportunities for plant-based foods to foster social and environmental justice
• Summer’s role as co-convenor of Ora Taiao; NZ Climate and Health Council
• Summer’s hope for the future

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