2018 RESEARCH REPORT | KIMIHIA TE MEA NGARO Produced by Research & Innovation and Student Services and Communications, University of Canterbury. Design by Student Services and Communications, University of Canterbury Key: when you see this symbol, read to find out Writers: Margaret Agnew, Aleisha Blake, Corrina Donaldson, the real world application Frances Harrison, Travis Lawson, Kim Newth, Kate Spence of this research – how this work Photos by Corey Blackburn (unless otherwise credited) will improve society. Publication printed by Caxton University of Canterbury E ngā muka tangata nō ngā hau e whā, nāia te owha o Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha e rāhiri atu ki a koutou katoa. E mōhiotia whānuitia a UC mō āna mahi rangahau e puta ana i te ao. Ahakoa te hākari a te mahi kua hora e tēnei whare wānanga i te tau nei, kua tīpako noa mātou i ēnei kaupapa rangahau, hai paramanawa mā te hinengaro - arā, ko te rangahau e aro ana ki te oranga tonutanga o te kai. Nā reira, e ngā ringa whero o ēnei kaupapa rangahau o te whare wānanga nei, he kai kei ā tātou ringa! Tēnā koutou katoa. Greetings from the University of Canterbury (UC). UC is well known for its research reputation and although this is only a small selection, the excellence and quality of UC’s research can be seen through these stories from our activities during the 2018 year, with an emphasis on securing the future of food through food equity, food intelligence and food innovation. 2018 Research Report | Kimihia te mea ngaro 1 Research & Innovation Connecting UC’s research with the world The role of Research & Innovation is to provide services that facilitate and support all stages of research and innovation at the University of Canterbury, from initial funding of the research through to commercialisation of the outcomes, where appropriate. Research Doctoral student Katie Coluccio & Innovation is the first point of contact for external organisations that are interested in: discussions on how UC resources might help their organisation; assistance in accessing UC expertise and facilities; consulting services and contract research; opportunities to Doctoral student Katie Coluccio is working to use or commercialise UC’s intellectual property and assistance in identifying business or understand groundwater seepage of Te Waihora investment opportunities. Please contact us if you are interested in engaging with UC. Lake Ellesmere. The lake is a biodiversity hotspot Phone: +64 3 364 2688 that supports an abundance of fish species and has Email: [email protected] long served as a key food source for local iwi Ngāi Tahu. Read more on page 45. www.canterbury.ac.nz/research Research Report 2018 Theme: This report highlights UC’s bold vision working towards securing the future of food and the contribution our UC Research Profile researchers are making in A showcase of UC research the areas of food equity, UC Research Profile is a searchable website that showcases UC’s research. You can search it for food intelligence and food information about individual researchers, the projects they are working on, the research groups innovation. they belong to, the specialist equipment that they use, and their affiliations. UC Research Profile provides a comprehensive view of research at UC. https://researchprofile.canterbury.ac.nz/ 2 University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha Contents 4 Research 2018 34 Food preservatives and household products driving 58 World-leading electrical engineer receives UC Research 6 2018 in review antibiotic resistance Medal 2018 8 Kaimangatanga – Māori perspectives on plant-based kai 36 Scrutinising meat culture in Aotearoa New Zealand 60 Internationally respected Physics professor awarded 2018 UC Innovation Medal 10 Biodegradable coating to help achieve food security 38 Spreading the load on fisheries through balanced harvesting 62 $4 million to study space junk, lava, glaciers and 12 Biosecurity boost from trap and track research 40 Land policy research leads to dramatic law change, quake stories 14 Change agents – proteins in our food protecting over a million hectares 63 Microbiologist recognised with emerging career 16 Towards sustainable prosperity for children and youth 42 Scion assists innovative biosecurity and researcher award 18 Aotearoa New Zealand algae on pathway to biodiversity research 64 College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata high-value product 44 Analysing groundwater seepage into Te Waihora 64 College of Business and Law | Te Rāngai Umanga 20 Blockchain benefits sustainable food production Lake Ellesmere me te Ture 22 Adding value to food waste 46 Community capacity – searching for hope in Mataura 65 College of Education Health and Human Development | 24 Securing sustainable kai: a conservation 48 Studying pāua production on the earthquake coast Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora genomics approach 50 Exploring the offshore extent of groundwater in 65 College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha 26 Finding balance in the Mekong Basin Ōtautahi Christchurch 66 College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao 28 Winegrowing and sustainability in Australia and 52 Leading the world in shellfish farming innovation 66 Research supporters Aotearoa New Zealand 54 Exploring the holistic benefits of urban farming 67 Research Institutes and Centres 30 Increasing ryegrass harvests for Aotearoa 56 Waitaha Canterbury researchers join forces on 70 UC7 New Zealand livestock electrostatically enhanced agricultural spray 72 UC Statement of Strategic Intent 32 Tapping northern nectar in Aotearoa New Zealand 2018 Research Report | Kimihia te mea ngaro 3 It is a great pleasure, as Deputy Vice- Chancellor | Tumu Tuarua, to write the foreword to the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha Research Report | Kimihia te mea ngaro 2018. This report continues to highlight the evolution of UC’s research and demonstrates the excellence and impact of our research. The pillar of research excellence is built around UC having academics who are thought-leaders in their respective fields who provide intellectual leadership, nationally and internationally. The benefit of our research continues to be felt across the spectrum of economic, environmental, and societal impacts, ranging in scale from immediate benefits to Ōtautahi Christchurch and Waitaha Canterbury, through to Aotearoa New Zealand and on a world scale. In 2018, the Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) concluded its most recent six-yearly assessment of research quality for the period Research 2018 of 2012 – 2017. Given this period was the most disruptive to UC academics following the Waitaha Canterbury earthquakes (with either temporary or no access to many on-campus This year’s report highlights the breadth of UC's research facilities), we are extremely proud st to have improved our overall institutional research capability to address 21 century food research quality, and in numerous areas be at the forefront of Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary production and consumption. research. The resilience and dedication of our academics has been truly remarkable and impressive. As we come to the conclusion of the campus rebuild, the University is reflecting on its academic future (including its research) over the next decade – a process being led by our new Vice-Chancellor | Tumu Whakarae, 4 University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha Professor Cheryl de la Rey. An early initiative of farming’, the use of algae for high-value food (MARS Bioimaging) which is selling the first this post-rebuild vision is UC’s contribution to supplements, the application of blockchain commercial, pre-clinical imaging systems the future of food production, both globally and technology for food traceability, ‘genetic around the world. The first clinical trials for in Aotearoa New Zealand. This encompasses rescue’ of mahinga kai to improve freshwater cancer patients are being conducted in Ōtautahi a range of issues including capturing more aquaculture success, through to understanding Christchurch in 2019. value, changing consumer choice, increasing the constraints of water extraction in Waitaha Finally, Dr Mitja Remus-Emsermann, Te Kura sustainability, establishing new policies for Canterbury, the changing social norms of meat Pūtaiao Koiora | School of Biological Sciences, mitigating climate change, the complexity consumption and rise of vegetarianism, and was the recipient of the Early and Emerging of global supply chains, the demand for food the legal and land policy framework for high- Career Researcher Award for his research on traceability, the complexity of trade regulation, country pastoral farming. how bacterial communities develop on plant creating value from food wastage, producing Our UC Council | Te Kaunihera o Te Whare leaves, which is an exciting development at the innovative new foods, and the social and Wānanga o Waitaha recognised internationally intersection of microbiology, ecology and plant economic inequities of food production and ranked excellence and innovation in 2018. science. This research may potentially lead to consumption, which underline the fact that Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor the prevention of plant pathogen colonisation ‘more of the same’ is not going to work. UC Rick Millane was awarded the Research Medal and disease outbreaks during agriculture will actively seek collaboration nationally and for his outstanding research in macromolecular production. internationally to pursue this research agenda. imaging for structural biology. His research Elsewhere, UC researchers continue