Chrystal O'Connor

Lincoln University, AgResearch

Edible insects, mātauranga, diet, and lifestage to explore the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand insects as food

Ko Maungatautari te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Te Iti O Hāua ko Hauraki ngā iwi
Ko Ngāti Hauā ko Ngāti Pāoa ngā hapū
Ko Tauwhare te marae
No Te Oko Horoi au
Ko Chrystal Te Ohorere O'Connor tōku ingoa

I am a food biochemist with a background in animal science and biochemistry. My research has focused on the added value of food for the benefit of human health. My PhD explores native insects as a source of sustainable protein, investigating the benefits of incorporating ronogā rākau (medicinal plants) into insect diets to enhance their nutritional profile. My interests include sustainable foods, indigenous culinary traditions, and understanding their impact on human health. Through my work, I aim to contribute to the development of healthier and environmentally conscious food practices.

Publications

Featured

O’Connor, C.T., McNeill, M.R., Bowie, M.H et al. (2024). Kawakawa and the hungry little caterpillars: the kawakawa looper Cleora scriptaria causes unique plant responses in kawakawa Macropiper excelsum leaves. Authorea. https://10.22541/au.172456996.63266328/v1

O’Connor, C. T., Gathercole, J., Bowie, M., Morton, J. D., Finlay-Smits, S., McNeill, M. R., & van Koten, C. (2023). Attitudes to consumption of edible insects by indigenous Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand: future commercial opportunities. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 10(2), 219–235. https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230105

O’Connor, C. T., Gathercole, J. L., McNeill, M. R., Bowie, M. H., Morton, J. D., & Ross, A. (2023, August). Mātauranga on kawakawa to identify insect herbivores with beneficial bioactive activity [Conference presentation]. Kai mō Aotearoa Food Science Satellite Meeting, Queenstown Research Week, New Zealand.

Conference Proceedings

Featured

O’Connor, C. T. (2024, November). Edible insects, mātauranga and diet to explore the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand insects as food [Conference presentation]. International Indigenous Research Conference, Auckland, New Zealand. https://www.iirc.ac.nz/programme/

O’Connor, C. T. (2024, March). Māori prosperity through agrifood innovation: Success stories in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and fibre sector [Conference presentation]. 21st Annual Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference, White Earth Land Recovery Project, USA.

O’Connor, C. T. (2024, February). Aotearoa New Zealand insects as food: Adding value through Indigenous knowledge and native medicinal plants [Poster presentation & 1-minute flash talk]. 15th HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates, Kyoto, Japan. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-hope/hope15/overview15.html

O’Connor, C. T. (2023, August 27–28). Mātauranga on kawakawa to identify insect herbivores with beneficial bioactive activity [Invited presentation, Kai mō Aotearoa Food Science Satellite Meeting, Queenstown Research Week, Rydges Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand]. High-Value Nutrition. https://www.highvaluenutrition.co.nz/2023/08/02/kai-mo-aotearoa-programme/

O’Connor, C. T. (2022, November). Research corroborating Mātauranga on kawakawa as rongoā [Conference presentation]. Māori and Indigenous Doctoral Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

O’Connor, C. T. (2022, June 12–16). Indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants to identify insect herbivores with beneficial bioactive activity [Conference presentation]. In Insects to Feed the World 2022 (Proceedings). Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 8(13), S114. https://doi.org/10.3920/jiff2022.s1

O’Conner, C. T. (2022). [Invited presentation]. Food Champions Group, Ministry for the Environment (MfE), New Zealand.