Research collaborations within the NZ – China Water Research Centre were further strengthened this month with another NZCWRC Workshop. The purpose of regular workshops is to build enduring partnerships with Chinese collaborators by connecting different ways of thinking, sharing research strengths, and establishing joint research projects to develop novel approaches to reducing contamination of surface water and groundwater.
The 45 workshop attendees were officially welcomed by Deputy Vice Chancellors, Professor Dione Payne and Professor Grant Edwards. Emily Robinson, Senior Policy Advisor from MBIE, and Consul General from the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, Mr Zhijian Wang, also gave speeches on behalf of the New Zealand and Chinese governments.
Chinese researchers, from Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAS), Institute of Subtropical Agricultural Ecology, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences and the Institute of Soil Ecology – CAS, joined NZ researchers from Lincoln University, Lincoln Agritech, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, Landcare Research, University of Otago, ESR and SCION, to present a spectrum of fundamental and applied approaches to mitigating water contamination from agricultural activities.
Presentations from Ngāi Tahu Farming and Ravensdown representatives provided the Chinese delegates with a valuable summary of current mitigation activities within the NZ commercial sector.
The delegates then had a field trip to learn more about NZ arable and orchard systems. The day included tours of arable research plots, local nut orchards and a vineyard; followed by a discussion to identify opportunities to develop enduring collaborations.
The New Zealand – China Water Research Centre is a MBIE-catalyst fund initiative to help build collaborations. Future active research relationships built on these collaborations will be enabled through MBIE’s coordination and operational support of numerous collaborative research programmes.
