Membership

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE NZIFST

Our members are

Informed
Members receive 7 issues per year of the Institute's official journal, Food New Zealand as well as a fortnightly e-newsletter, NIBBLES. They have access to the member-only section of this website where they can maintain their own contact records or search for another member.

Networked
Most branches organise monthly meetings. Members receive significant discounts at NZIFST organised events including the annual conference, professional development courses and branch activities.

Recognised
Professional Members are eligible to use the post-nominal MNZIFST after their name - giving them instant recognition that they meet professional leadership and competence criteria. Professional Members may be nominated for promotion to Fellowship (FNZIFST) to further recognise their substantial contribution or outstanding service to the profession of food science and technology.

Professional
NZIFST offers a professional development programme comprising half, one and two-day courses, seminars and the annual conference. Members may be eligible for sponsorships of up to $20,000 per year.


CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

The Institute offers several levels of membership, depending on your interests and level of achievement. Membership is open to any person who has an interest in the food industry and meets the criteria for the classes of membership listed below:

Full Professional Member
Full Standard Member
Student Member

A FELLOW is a member who has been recognised for their substantial contribution or outstanding service to the profession of food science and technology. It is an honour award and cannot be applied for.

FULL - Standard Member

Any person who is:

Active in any aspect of food science, food technology, food engineering or in any related discipline,
Managing operations where food science, food technology or food engineering is conducted,
Disseminating knowledge of food science, food technology or food engineering as it is applied to his / her products, processes or equipment, OR IS
Scientifically trained and working in food science, food technology, food engineering or any related discipline.

Members have restricted voting rights, but may be office bearers of the Institute. They are not permitted to use the Institute letters as a post-nominal after their name.

Standard Member application form


STUDENT Member

Any person is entitled to "Student" Membership who is a full time student at a tertiary institution as approved by Council, with privileges and subscription rates as Council may decide. Membership is on a calendar-year basis. The membership subscription must be paid at time of application and Student members must re-apply for membership each year.

New Graduate Member - Current Student members who have completed their studies are entitled to a further one year's FULL membership at the applying Student rate.

Student Members have no voting rights.

Student Member application form

FULL - Professional Member

Professional Member status may be awarded to members who are recognised as competent in their profession through a combination of academic study, continuing professional development and work experience in the food industry.

Any person who holds either:

A tertiary level degree in food science, food technology or food engineering from a recognised tertiary institute and has achieved a minimum of 3 years professional post-graduate food industry experience; OR

A tertiary level diploma or certificate in food science, food technology or food engineering from a recognised tertiary institute and has achieved a minimum of 5 years professional post-graduate food industry experience; OR

A tertiary level degree, diploma or certificate in a related discipline and has achieved a minimum of 7 years professional food industry post-graduate experience; OR

Has acquired knowledge and developed competencies in food science and technology to the level expected of a Professional Member and a minimum of 10 years professional food industry experience

When applying for Professional membership, the applicant should include their brief CV and two referees' reports on the template supplied. This information will show continuing professional development and any contributions to the Institute or relevant organisations and the business of the organisation

Professional Members have full voting rights, may be office bearers of the Institute, and can act as referees for applicants for membership. They may also use the post-nominal MNZIFST after their name.

Professional Member application form

MEMBERSHIP FEES

The NZIFST membership subscription year is 1 April to 31 March.

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