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Terroir Taranaki: Testing the power of sensory consumer science in distinguishing Taranaki crops and value-add products for market advantage

Professor Joanne Hort, Director of the Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) Laboratory, will be the Massey lead for this project, leveraging her expertise in consumer science to evaluate the sensory quality of plants grown in Taranaki - angelica, a botanical used in gin production, and garlic. This project aims to assess the potential economic and sustainability benefits of Taranaki-grown crops by comparing them to existing commercial ingredients in the market.

The term terroir refers to the environmental factors that influence the sensory characteristics of products grown in specific regions. By applying consumer sensory science, this project will highlight how Taranaki’s distinctive growing conditions contribute to the high-value potential of these crops, supporting the region’s long-term vision for a resilient, high-value and low-emissions future.

While both garlic and angelica root are in high demand, very little of these crops are currently cultivated in Taranaki or within Aotearoa New Zealand. However, they hold significant potential for use in a diverse range of products such as spirits, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, pharmaceuticals, essential oils and food and beverages. The project will establish a benchmark for Taranaki growers, help them with promoting and pricing their products and emphasise the advantages of being Taranaki-grown. This approach not only supports local economic growth but also addresses supply chain challenges associated with importing botanicals and contributes to reducing emissions.

Professor Hort will be collaborating with key partners, including Michelle Bauer, ‘Branching Out’ project lead from Venture Taranaki and Dave James from BeGin Distilling, to drive this initiative forward.

“Leveraging Feast’s expertise in consumer and sensory science opens up exciting new opportunities for Taranaki growers and businesses. We can’t wait to see how consumers react to gins and garlic breads made from these innovative crops!”

Te Rau o Rongo: He Maramataka mō Taranaki

In collaboration with Te Rau o Rongo, Associate Professor Sita Venkateswar and Professor Kelly Dombroski from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will be contributing to the project He Maramataka mō Taranaki. The project aims to revive maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) knowledge in Taranaki, with a focus on sustainable practices related to food sovereignty and health.

The initiative will develop and extend research on maramataka and food security in Taranaki by creating a local, place-based maramataka. It will also demonstrate and extend sustainable horticultural practices informed by mātauranga Māori, enhance the nutritional quality of locally grown foods and improve the environmental and social potential of horticultural education.

By reconnecting with traditional ecological knowledge and observing natural cycles to guide activities like planting and harvesting, the project addresses global concerns such as climate change and health, while also reclaiming Indigenous practices. Understanding climate change through the maramataka offers a unique, time-tested framework that complements modern agricultural practices and can extend sustainable food production in the region, while strengthening resilience and informed decision-making in the face of environmental challenges. Building on previous initiatives such as the Farming to Flourish project, the goal is to empower whānau and strengthen local food systems through a Taranaki-specific maramataka, fostering Māori food sovereignty and community resilience.

The project will be led by Taranaki uri (descendants) Pounamu Skelton of Te Rau o Rongo Charitable Trust, and researcher Te Kahurangi Skelton, who are uniquely positioned to understand both the environment and the connections between maramataka and health from ngā uri o Taranaki perspective.

“Very little maramataka knowledge is widely practiced in Taranaki, and therefore this whānau-led kaupapa aims to build the foundations for a Taranaki maramataka through whānau practices of growing and gathering kai, with an emphasis on re-engaging whānau with mātauranga o te taiao and engaging in te reo o te taiao,” Ms Skelton explains.

“I’m so pleased that the relationship with Pounamu Skelton has deepened over two Pivot awards and that we’ll be collaborating with Te Rau o Rongo in 2025!” Dr Venkateswar says.

“This is an awesome project that Re Rau o Rongo has been planning for some time. We are so excited to support them in the next stage of their research journey,” Professor Dombroski adds.

Evaluating bio-concretes for farm infrastructure applications

Professor Sarah McLaren and Dr Priya Vishnu from the College of Sciences will be the Massey co-leads for this project which aims to evaluate the use of bio-concretes, concrete alternatives made from locally-grown agricultural materials such as hemp, in farm infrastructure and buildings. The project will assess the bio-concretes’ strength and durability, while also evaluating environmental benefits compared to traditional concrete.

By integrating these sustainable materials, the project seeks to explore opportunities for farmers to diversify their incomes through the cultivation of carbon-capturing fibre crops which can be processed locally for bio-concrete production. This initiative aims to see a reduction of emissions from traditional concrete and the establishment of a new local industry that benefits both the economy and the environment. The research will also contribute valuable data for life cycle assessments and help drive the adoption of more sustainable building materials in Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural sector.

Professor McLaren and Dr Vishnu will collaborate with Taranaki Project Lead Simon Walker, who will host the trials on his regenerative farm, advancing the region’s sustainable farming practices and showcasing the potential for nationwide change.

“This project is not just about rethinking concrete but reimagining materials that are locally grown, climate-smart and environment friendly. By working alongside farmers, we aim to build pathways that support environmental resilience, rural innovation and economic diversification,” Dr Vishnu says.

On behalf of the academics involved, sincere thanks are extended to the Pivot Award and their partners, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ and the Bashford-Nicholls Trust, for their invaluable support in advancing these innovative research initiatives in Taranaki agriculture.