Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh has directed the Riddet Institute since he established it in 2003, along with Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan. The Riddet Institute was awarded Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) status by the New Zealand Government in 2007, with the pair co-leading the Institute and its research programme. Dist. Prof Singh became sole director in 2018. He is vacating the role in 2026 to concentrate on research.
Renowned Riddet Institute Director accepts new role for 2026
18 December 2025 - Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh is stepping down from his role as Riddet Institute Director at the end of the year.
He will be moving to a new role at the Institute from 1 January 2026, concentrating on research leadership.
The Riddet Institute is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) focusing on fundamental and advanced food research. It is hosted by Massey University on the Palmerston North campus.
A celebrated food scientist, Dist. Prof Singh received multiple accolades for scientific excellence in 2024.
He was awarded the Institute of Food Technologists Lifetime Achievement Award, was named a KiwiNet Award finalist for his entrepreneurial activities, presented a prestigious Pickering Medal by the Royal Society Te Apārangi for his Ferri-Pro iron supplement research, and invested as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year’s honours list.
- Riddet Institute Director Honoured with Companion of the NZ Order of Merit
- Riddet Institute Director awarded prestigious Pickering Medal
In a statement, Massey University Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes acknowledged Dist. Prof Singh’s outstanding achievements to food science and food nutrition research, his immense and ongoing contributions to postgraduate supervision, and his excellent leadership of the Riddet Institute, since his appointment to the role in 2018.
Dist. Prof Singh has been on personal leave from the Directorship for much of 2025, with Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan filling his role as Acting Director.
Dist. Prof Paul Moughan will continue as Acting Director until a new Director is appointed.
Prof Byrnes said Dist. Prof Singh had accepted the position of Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate and will continue as a Distinguished Professor. This was an acknowledgement of Dist. Prof Singh’s ongoing contribution to the work of the Riddet Institute, his world-leading research-intensive work and substantial contributions to food science.
