2025 NZIFST & Food Industry Awards
We are delighted to announce the 2025 NZIFST & Food Industry Award Recipients
Presented at the NZIFST Awards Dinner, as part of the 2025 NZIFST Annual Conference in
Papaioea Palmerston North, 25th June 2025.
2025 JC Andrews Award
Doctor Mike Boland
Riddet Institute
This is NZIFST's most prestigious award, presented annually in memory of Massey University’s first Chancellor, Dr Jack Clark Andrews, who proposed that a food technology degree course be established at Massey University. The award recognises Institute members who have made a substantial contribution to science and technology in the food industry
2025 JC Andrews Recipient Mike Boland with NZIFST President Esraa El Shall.
2025 Lifetime Achievement Awards
Dave Mael |
Brent Vautier |
||
Griffins Snacks |
Fonterra |
||
| For Leadership in the Baking Industry | For Leadership in the Dairy Industry |
The Lifetime Achievement award (previously known as Distinguished Service Award) recognises long and exceptional services and/or contributions to the New Zealand Food Industry sector in a scientific, technical, teaching, marketing, or managerial role.
2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Dave Mael & Brent Vautier.
NZIFST Distinguished Fellow
Anne Scott
Peppermint Press
Any Member of the Institute may be elected as a Distinguished Fellow who, in the opinion of the Board has:
• attained a position of eminence in food science and technology,
• made an extraordinary contribution to the disciplines of food science and technology,
• rendered services of an exceptional nature to the Institute, or
• merits election on any other appropriate basis.
Distinguished Fellow Anne Scott with NZIFST President Esraa El Shall.
2025 NZIFST Fellowships
LtoR: Abby Thompson, Steve Taylor, Claire Redman, Nicola Wilson
Abby Thompson |
|
Steve Taylor |
|
Claire Redman |
|
Nicola Wilson |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miruku |
Fonterra |
Hemp Connect |
Leaft |
2025 Ron Hooker Award
Anne Scott
Peppermint Press
Auckland Branch
This award recognises a member’s significant past or present contribution to the NZIFST, developing the affairs of the Institute, its branches or divisions
2025 Ron Hooker Award Winner Anne Scott with NZIFST President Esraa El Shall.
2025 Mary Earle Mentorship Award
Neala Hart
Fonterra
This award recognises members who have excelled at mentoring others in achieving their career objectives through moral, social and intellectual support.
2025 Mary Earle Mentorship Award Winner Neala Hart with NZIFST President Esraa El Shall.
2025 Emerging Leader Award
Grace van Tilborg
Hawkins Watts
This award is to recognise a young technologist/scientist/engineer for their endeavour or achievement, and leadership potential, within the food industry.
2025 Emerging Leader Award Winner Grace van Tilborg with NZIFST President Esraa El Shall.
NZ Food Safety Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award
Professor Phil Bremer
University of Otago
This award, supported by New Zealand Food Safety, recognises outstanding leadership and impact in protecting Aotearoa’s food system.
Award Winner Phil Bremer with NZ Food Safety Deputy Director General Vincent Arbuckle.
NZIFST 3 Minute Pitch Competition Winners
2025 Winners:
| First Place |
Steffi Anna Thomas |
University of Otago | |
| Second Place |
Nyasha Makaza |
Massey University | |
| Third Place |
Sheba Culas |
Massey University |
3 Minute Pitch Competition is:
1 slide with no moving parts.
Who can pitch their research the best in 3 minutes?!
Thank you to our competition sponsor 
LtoR: Steffi Anna Thomas, Nyasha Makaza, NZIFST President Esraa El Shall, Sheba Culas
NZIFST Student Poster Competition Winners
LtoR: Mishenki Rajapakse, NZIFST President Esraa El Shall, Nyasha Makaza, Norma Bagarinao
2025 Winners:
| First Place |
Norma Cecille Bagarinao |
University of Otago | |
| Second Equal Place |
Nyasha Makaza |
Massey University | |
| Second Equal Place |
Mishenki Rajapakse |
AUT | |
| Third Place |
Thi-Van Nguyen |
Massey University |
Thank you to our competition sponsor 