UD Study Abroad in New Zealand: Sustainable Food Production

On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, we visited Akaroa to explore its scenic charm and of course to try its world famous fish and chips. While I’m not usually a fan of fish I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give this seafood classic a shot. Before diving into the details of my taste test, let me set the scene so you can get a sense of the atmosphere that makes Akaroa such a unique experience.  Akaroa is a small town located on the Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. The town is nestled beside Akaroa Harbor, a crazy natural inlet formed within an ancient volcanic crater. The harbor opens into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by lush green hills and a beautiful body of water. The town’s architecture is steeped with much of it crafted from painted wood showing the feel of a classic fishing dock. It reminded me of the cool Cape Cod towns I’ve visited in New England, with a laid back coastal vibe that’s undeniably inviting. Akaroa proudly em...

Upon getting on our bus to Akaroa, we were only certain of one thing: the bus driver was instructed to take the scenic route. From what we have come to expect from that phrase is a lot of beautiful, winding, tiny roads through the hills and mountains of New Zealand. We headed out of Lincoln towards our first stop at Birdlings Flat. Birdlings Flat is a small town on the coast known for its shale rock beach comprised of polished stones washed in from the sea and off the mountains. It is a tradition for our program to go to this beach, typically within the first few days, but due to the weather we just got the opportunity. After wandering around looking for many varieties of colorful, smooth, or fun-shaped rocks, we laid in a line and looked up at the sky. This practice originated from Neil Gow, a former professor at Lincoln University who was instrumental in creating our study abroad program. Professor Gow wisely told Delaware students to use this opportunity to shift their perspective. ...

The guest lecture this week was Professor Greg Ryan, who teaches the history of sports here at Lincoln University. Even though it is not in his current teaching realm, he gave us a lecture on the history of the Māori and New Zealand, as he has been doing for our study abroad program for years. Professor Ryan walked into the classroom with a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. At that moment I knew he was going to be a very interesting person. When he began his slideshow, the first piece of information we learned about him was his love for his two cats, Zinc and Coco (made me miss my cat Sunny), along with his love for beer and brewing. Professor Ryan has a book all about brewing beer in New Zealand called Continuous Ferment . Professor Ryan grew up in a sport dominant family where a majority of his family played rugby at high level. Professor Ryan couldn’t participate in sports due to being visually impaired, but this didn’t stop his love for sports. He attended the University of Canterb...

Hokey Pokey ice cream is a beloved flavor that originated in New Zealand and has become a go-to dessert for Kiwis. Often enjoyed in the summer, Hokey Pokey ice cream carries a sense of nostalgia for many, and is tied to many families’ traditions. The flavor was first created in 1953 by Brian Simon, whose father owned an ice cream factory. Interestingly, the term "Hokey Pokey" predates the ice cream flavor itself. Originally, it referred to any flavor of ice cream sold by street vendors, often Italian immigrants, who were known as "hokey pokey men." By the late 1800s, the term evolved to specifically describe honeycomb toffee in New Zealand.  Hokey Pokey ice cream is more than just a treat, it’s a part of New Zealand’s cultural identity. You’ll find it in nearly every supermarket, corner store, and ice cream shop across the country, often as a classic option alongside other Kiwi favorites. Over the years, it’s become so ingrained in the culture that it has even made ...

I have quite an extensive bucket list for this trip. We have so many opportunities to experience things that are impossible in the States. The first one I crossed off was stargazing. New Zealand has significantly lower levels of light pollution making it much easier to look up and find the constellations every night (but they’re a little harder to find since they’re upside down). The second item on my list was discovering new flavors of coffee. The first place to help me with my mission was Little River Cafe.  On January 11th, on our way to the beach town of Akaroa, we went to a small shop and cafe to get a quick breakfast and caffeine fix. The little coffee shop was set in a valley, surrounded by a ring of mountains so tall they cut through the clouds. This small shop was then bombarded with around 40 hangry, uncaffeinated, college students that only had 30 minutes to order and eat. The scenery was idyllic and a perfect place to stop and get some breakfast. Inside there were a sur...

Down on the not-so-wee Canterbury Plains lives a unique farmer, Hamish Marr. Hamish runs a 500-hectare arable family-run farm. He is one of very few farmers who processes feed and sells it internationally, while also grazing sheep and dairy on lush fertile land. When I first met Hamish I was astounded by all of his many achievements throughout his life as not only a farmer, but also as an international trade ambassador. Some of his many accomplishments include Livestock Improvement Corporation Board, Federated Farmers, New Zealand Seeds Authority Chair, Nuffield scholar, and Seed Grower of the Year.  Not only are his achievements noteworthy, but also are his character and passion towards agriculture. As we walked his beautiful green farm, Hamish repeatedly noted that “farming is the same everywhere, but different.” In his international travels he finds appreciation in the culture of agriculture throughout the world. He also reflects on using the land for its intended purpose and ho...

On January 10 our group ventured into Christchurch for an unforgettable adventure: “waka on the Avon.” In Māori, waka means canoe, and Avon is the post-colonial name given to the river that runs throughout Christchurch. However, the Māori name for the river is Ōtākaro. Upon arriving in town, we followed the river down to the canoe company’s site. The talk of our bunched up group was interrupted suddenly by a belting Māori voice. One of the workers, a young man and Māori tribe member, proceeded to perform a speech of three messages: a welcome, a prayer for good wind and luck on the river, and a thank you to the Gods. Our group was split into two; one went down to the docked waka on the river while the other, my group, went with a tour guide.  Our guide, also a member of a Māori tribe, provided fascinating insight on the Māori people, the history of the waka, and the role Māori tribes have in shaping Christchurch. She explained how the large canoes have been a vital part of transport...

 Shay's Birthday Longfield Farm - our lecture spot looking out over the Rakaia River gorge Longfield Farm produces lots of grass and other seeds to export to Philadelphia! Through the bus window on the way to Mt. Somers Station Mt. Somers Station Meeting one of "heading" dogs at Mt. Somers Station

Walking into the city of Christchurch, one of the first sites that hit me was the injured, yet resilient Christchurch Cathedral located in the heart of the city. This beautiful stone church, currently held up by support beams crisscrossing throughout, embodies the soul of the “Shaken City”. A view of the Christchurch Cathedral, stabilized by support beams. Christchurch suffered a devastating earthquake in February of 2011, decimating hundreds of buildings and taking many lives. Many residents were forced to relocate and businesses shut down. Yet in a little over a decade, Christchurch has rebuilt itself, with reinforced “quake-proof” buildings that showcase the resilience of modern engineering.  Our group first arrived in Christchurch all together on Friday, January 10th to experience rowing in a “waka” or Maori canoe. Here, our Maori guides gave us a brief history of Christchurch, its indigenous roots and influence, and taught our team how to row a waka! Our group rowing a “w...

Located in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, the Christchurch Botanical Gardens is a place of tranquility for nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone looking for a beautiful view. Spanning over 51 acres, the gardens are a perfect representation of how lush and green New Zealand’s landscape is. As I entered the garden I was first faced with the tall, vibrant, and intricate Peacock Fountain. The jets of water flew gracefully from the topmost tier and cascaded down, creating a relaxing sound that hides the noise of the surrounding city. After moving through the garden, I walked past the herbaceous border. It showcases an array of gorgeous perennials that vary in size, color, and shape. I was delighted to see a number of plants that I have recognized and studied, back home, at the University of Delaware. I would frequently point out the plants I knew, in their latin name, and was impressed with how many I could recall. It added a sense of pride and connection to my visit. As I conti...

As a Food & Agribusiness major, I was excited to learn we would be going to an open-air food/flea market called the Riccarton Market. Every Sunday, rain or shine, the market is held from 9am-2pm and hosts over 200 stalls for vendors. Despite being a cold and cloudy day, all of the walkways, stalls, and food trucks bustled with life. Everything from gardening tools, knick-knacks, local agricultural products, clothing, and even $15 haircuts can be found here. At first, it may seem a little overwhelming with just how many options there are for food and shopping, however every vendor found at the market is so special and unique in their own way. While trying to decide on whether to get Thai, American, or Brazilian food I found myself missing the Central American food that reminds me of my home and family. However, I soon stumbled upon Heart & Soul kitchen owned by a woman named Ronni. While ordering a classic New Zealand food, steak and cheese pie, I was able to learn more about Ro...

When walking into the New World grocery store, it seems just like the ones at home. But the closer you look, the more unique it becomes. Over 90% of the colorful produce and shelves of wine are products of New Zealand- It’s really cool that New Zealand is so self-sustaining! Something I really admire about New Zealand is that there aren’t any plastic bags used in stores. Not even the produce bags are plastic- everything is paper, which is really environmentally friendly! I was looking for ramen in the international food section, and was suddenly confused why a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was on the same shelf. Shouldn’t it be in the candy aisle? But then I realized that Reese’s Cups aren’t native to New Zealand, along with the other American candies I soon noticed in that section. Hershey’s is by far the most dominant chocolate brand in America, however in New Zealand it seems like Whittaker’s is the prized brand of chocolate, being a New Zealand company. Its factory is in Porirua on the...

Lincoln University’s Dairy Farm is a prime example of New Zealand’s focus towards efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. While it’s easy to think a dairy farmer would be completely focused on animal production, Peter Hancox at Lincoln University is equally as dependent on pasture production. Without pasture, there is no direct feed for the cows, unless supplemented from off the farm. To keep production costs low, and efficiency high, the dairy cows are milked on a seasonal basis. Contrary to United States dairy farms at home which milk and calve year-round, New Zealand dairy cows are dried off in the months at which pasture production is lowest. When pasture production peaks, the dairy cows will be at peak milk production during and after their calving season. On our tour, we saw cows coming out of their peak milk production with a low body fat content. Kiwi cows – a New Zealand crossbred of Holstein Friesian x Jersey used for their efficiency of milk production. Lin...

The dining hall was one of the first places where we felt truly at ease—not just at Lincoln University but in all of New Zealand. Rain poured relentlessly on the day we arrived in the Christchurch/Lincoln area on the South Island. Exploring the outdoors wasn’t an option, and the weather postponed some plans we were supposed to have upon arrival. But when we stepped into the dining hall for lunch that first day, it was like a warm embrace. The aroma of hot food offered a welcome reprieve after more than 24-hours of travel and the excitement of arriving at our home for the next month. Airplane food and airport terminals were behind us. Now, we could sit together, eat a real meal, and start to feel grounded. It wasn’t just the food that nourished us but the opportunity to connect. As weary as we were from the journey, sitting down at those tables gave us our first real chance to get to know one another. The dining hall became a place to settle in: not just into Lincoln, but into the group...

Walking into a livestock auction for the first time was a little overwhelming. The process of selling sheep was not as straightforward as I had anticipated. Upon entering, I was greeted by the vibrant energy of the auction yard, where rows of pens housed sheep of various breeds and sizes. Some pens were filled, while a majority of them remained empty. Numerous buyers and workers moved around the yard, and I was fortunate enough to speak with some of them to gain a better understanding of how these events operate. The first person I spoke with was a man named Neil. He was an older gentleman who had previously worked as a stock agent. Neil explained the selling process and how to participate in buying at this location. He informed me about the need to register at the auction house, where participants are assigned a bidding number that enables them to take part in the bidding process.  I also had a conversation with a farmer named Alex, who was there to purchase stock for his farm. He...

New Zealand is known for many distinctive qualities: its breathtaking mountain ranges and natural landscapes, its commitment to environmental sustainability, and its vast expanses of green pastureland. But arguably, its most famous attribute is the iconic kiwi bird. Kiwis have become synonymous with New Zealand and its people, with New Zealanders often referred to as “Kiwis” themselves. However, kiwi birds have long suffered declining populations due to human activity and invasive mammal species such as stoats, cats, rats, and dogs which easily prey on these flightless, ground-nesting birds. There are many conservation programs across New Zealand to save this iconic species from extinction, with the most notable being Operation Nest Egg. One of the largest contributors to Operation Nest Egg is Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, a wildlife park and nature reserve located in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand. Our group had the opportunity to spend the day at Willowbank, exploring...