Home Economics | Mix & Match Activity

Something that we learnt from the Mix & Match activity - 

When the settlers came they brought their own hunting methods and cooking methods, as well as animals of course. However, not only did they bring iron pots and pans, they introduced the newest hunting method of using a gun instead of trapping. This was not something new to the world though, only to New Zealand, where for generations, the Maori people had been using traps, spears, and other sharp weapons to gather their meat.


What can you see happening to our food fifty years into the future?

It will become more health-focused, rather than taste-focused. There will always be a delicious taste to the food we eat here in New Zealand, however, I believe we will see a new focus come onto the nutrients as the scientific research develops and reveals what certain foods do to our bodies. Most will likely sacrifice taste for a healthier diet.

What could you invent, change or directly effect relating to how food is produced at a cheaper rate?

Throughout time, humans have greatly affected the world. We cause pollution, extinction, and a great deal of pain. Without the right technological advancements, we will begin to cave in on ourselves and take the world with us. Solar panels provide an efficient way of gathering the electricity we need to develop ourselves as a people, and through the right technology, we could use that to impact how we eat. Land space in New Zealand is now being overcome by housing as our population rises quickly, this means the amount of land farming has is being cut down to nothing. This will soon greatly affect the country as we begin to import the country as we import fruits, vegetables, and with time we will be the ones who import meat. Something I have thought of that could prevent this from happening is instead of expanding how far the land plants are grown on is, going on to expand the height instead. Through the use of artificial light gathered by solar panels, we can generate light so plants no longer have to be exposed to the outdoors. Air can be filtered in through air ducts. Water and nutrients can be placed into the soil for a maximum growth rate. But how can we expand upwards? Think of apartments buildings, if you take an apartment building, the actual size of the ground it sits on is not nearly as large as it would be if each apartment was on the ground. If we were to take each apartment floor, filter air in, have sprinklers for water and create artificial light, we would be capable of growing much more vegetation than we would with just one level. I don't have the full science behind whether it would be able to be recreated in this manner, however, with the exceptional rate we are gaining knowledge on the subject of agriculture, we will know in no time.