Riddet Institute Director Honoured with Companion of the NZ Order of Merit

9 January 2025 - Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to food science and technology over a career spanning more than 30 years.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to be appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit,” says Dist. Prof Singh. 

“This recognition is not just mine to own but represents the collective dedication and creativity of many remarkable individuals at the Riddet Institute within my exceptional research group. This honour inspires me and the team to continue advancing science that addresses the evolving challenges of the food industry and society.”

Dist. Prof Singh’s prolific publications have ranked him as the number one food scientist in Oceania, with more than 500 publications, including serving on 15 editorial journal boards. He has translated his scientific findings to commerce and achieved industrial outcomes of significant economic and social importance.

The FerriPro technology Dist. Prof Singh created brings affordable iron nutrition to the developing world, where iron deficiency is a debilitating problem. The technology has been commercialised by the Nestlé-Riddet Institute partnership, earning significant royalties for Massey University and the Riddet Institute, of which he has served as Director since 2018.

The FerriPro technology is one of the largest licensing deals in Massey’s history and has been recognised with several awards, including the prestigious Pickering Medal Dist. Prof Singh was awarded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2024.

- Massey News