Research collaboration opportunities between New Zealand and China

Abstract

Our world faces a massive challenge due to increasing global population on food, natural resources and the environment.The world’s land-based sectors face major economic, environmental, and social challenges in the future. Science, design and business are the keys to responding to these challenges. Lincoln University has a strong base to build upon to support New Zealand and others internationally to respond to these challenges. The Lincoln Hub is a collaboration between research, education and industry that will transform the productivity and performance of New Zealand and the world’s primary sector. The Hub will evolve to include a broad range of industry and research organizations with a commitment to land-based productivity and sustainability. It will also connect with other successful hubs from around the world. The New Zealand-China Water Research Collaboration Centre based at Lincoln University, with partners AgResearch, Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, Lincoln Agritech Ltd, and University of Otago will coordinate and facilitate long-term collaborations between New Zealand and Chinese scientists to develop research strategies relevant to both countries around water quality and quantity. Issues such as ground and surface water contamination by agrichemicals and poor water use efficiency of irrigation are common in China and New Zealand. The New Zealand-China Water Research Collaboration Centre will be an important platform for the creation of novel skills and knowledge on water quality and quantity research, the establishment of enduring partnerships, the development of advanced mitigation strategies to reduce water contamination by agrichemicals, increased cultural understanding, enhanced Māori engagement with China, and increased awareness of New Zealand as a centre of excellence in research and development in the areas of water quality and quantity for high quality food production.