Day 7

 

The morning started with the return of all the students back from their homestays. We loaded onto the bus and a student from each group excitedly told stories of their adventures. Even the professors got to share their experiences. 

Short walk around the Massey University
@ Palmerston North before our presentation.

We then headed down a winding road to Massey University in Palmerston North. We arrived on campus and checked out the student café and bookstore. Massey University was established in 1927 and has campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington with approximately 26,500 students. 

The group with orange juice & cookies to wake us up

We met with David Everett, a professor and principal investigator with the Riddet Institute Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE). The CoRE Research team is made up of both university and industry partners with the intention of bringing innovation in food sciences in both research and joint ventures. The CoRE team focuses on food structure design and nutrient delivery, sustainability of future proteins, and transformative technologies of food science. Along with Dr. Everett were other researchers that presented their current projects. These included bringing some insight from human nutrition to public health, using modeling to predict deficiencies of New Zealand’s vegan residents, as well as plant-based protein products as substitutes for those with dietary restrictions or personal preferences. Students inquired about the competition of plant and animal-based proteins, how markets are anticipated to develop to accommodate new technologies, and how waste streams can be capitalized upon. 

Reddit Institute group photo w/ Dr. Everett & his research associates

Getting ready for takeoff!

 

Our view of South Island from the plane

 

After concluding lectures, the group stopped for lunch before taking flight! We packed our goodies from the North Island adventures, checked the weight of our bags, and crossed the tarmac to board our plane. It was only a quick hour and a half before touchdown in Christchurch. While shuttling around town, Jane informed us that the earthquakes from 2010 and 2011 completely decimated Christchurch. Residents were shuttled out in a hurry and were not allowed to return even for necessary personal belongings due to the structure of buildings in the city being extremely unsafe. This story really put into perspective the lives of Kiwis and made us grateful to see the city bounce back so well. We met our new bus driver and headed to get supper. The group was able to disperse for a wide variety of cuisine at a local food court as well as getting to meet Matt, Jane the tour guide’s son, to get the inside scoop on life at university in New Zealand. Then it was lights out at the hotel to get some rest before taking on the South Island.

A bit of cricket from the previous day

  

A sample of the equipment our students enjoyed from the home stays.