China Research Collaboration Centres

New Zealand-China Research Collaboration Centres are an initiative of the New Zealand Government to coordinate and maximise collaboration opportunities with China across the priority themes of food safety and security, water research and non-communicable diseases, for the benefit of New Zealand’s science.

The New Zealand-China Food Protection Network

The New Zealand-China Food Protection Network is hosted by Massey University, in partnership with AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, ESR, Scion, the Cawthron Institute, the University of Otago, the University of Auckland, and Auckland University of Technology.

Water Research

The New Zealand – China Water Research Centre is hosted by Lincoln University, in partnership with AgResearch, Landcare Research, Plant and Food Research, Lincoln Agritech, and The University of Otago.

Non-Communicable Diseases

The New Zealand – China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre is hosted by the University of Otago, and is a partnership between the three health and wellbeing National Science Challenges – A Better Start, Healthier Lives and Ageing Well.

China Research Collaboration Centres News:

Yuwei Zhang receives NZ-China Food Protection Network PhD Scholarship

The Centre congratulates hardworking Lincoln intern, Yuwei Zhang, on her successful application for a NZ-China Food Protection Network for a PhD scholarship, strongly supported by Dr Stephen On at Lincoln University.

Expanded MoU and meeting between the China Scholarship Council and the NCD CRCC

In December 2019, the China Scholarship Council’s (CSC) Secretary-General Mr Sheng Jianxue and his team Ms Meng Li, Deputy Director, Division of American and Oceanian Affairs and Mr Liu Binxin, Project officer, Division of American and Oceanian Affairs visited Dunedin to meet with NZ-China NCD Research Collaboration Centre (NCD CRCC) to discuss

MOU signed between NCD CRCC and China National Center for Biotechnology Development

The New Zealand – China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (NCD CRCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China National Center for Biotechnology Development (CNCBD) in December 2019.

Shanghai government granted funding to New Zealand – Shanghai joint research

Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (SSTC) recently granted a joint research project between the University of Otago and Shanghai Mental Health Centre.

University of Otago working with China scholars to modernise traditional medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM) potential to produce new pro-drugs targeting diseases such as cancer is being given a boost in one of several collaborations between University of Otago Pharmacy School researchers and their counterparts in China.

New Zealand and Chinese health scientists keen to further research cooperation

Over 60 New Zealand and Chinese health scientists gathered in Queenstown on 30 August - 1 September to advance their collaborative work studying the brain and illnesses such as stroke, Parkinson’s and dementia, and to explore potential collaborations for modernising traditional medicines.

Meeting with the Minister of MBIE, the Honourable Dr Megan Woods

1 August 2019, Wellington

China workshop on pesticide residues in tropical fruits

Centre director, Nigel French, led a delegation of NZ scientists to attend a workshop and field trips in Hainan and Nanning, China, 12-15 March: Dr Thiagarajah Ramilan (Massey University), Dr Yun Duan (the Centre’s visiting scholar), Dr Melanie Davidson (Plant & Food Research), and Centre Manager, Wendy Newport-Smith.

6th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality (China)

MPI is a co-organiser of this conference, which focuses on milk quality improvement and innovation and collaboration in that area.

Workshop on “New Zealand – China Food Protection Network for risk assessment on Tropical Fruits”, March 2019, Haikou China

In May 2018, New Zealand Food Safety Science Research Centre (NZFSSRC) and Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of research and education.

MOU signed between NCD CRCC and the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University

In early October 2018 the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge co-Director Professor Parry Guilford, NCD CRCC Research Collaboration Manager Dr Hu Zhang and Cancer Research Fellow Donghui Zou were invited to the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University in Changchun, China.

NZ China Scientist Exchange between Scion (NZ) and Jinan University (China) – Visit to China

In June 2018 Eva Gaugler a researcher from Scion travelled to China as part of a scientist exchange funded by the New Zealand China Food Protection Network (NZCFPN). The aim of the scientist exchange was to establish a platform for ongoing knowledge exchange in the area of packaging food contact compliance.

Research collaboration strengthened

Dr José Derraik, who was awarded The New Zealand‒China Non-communicable Diseases Emerging Researcher Travel Fellowship in January 2018, has been appointed as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Children's Hospital at Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China).

2017-18 CSC–NCD CRCC Joint Scholarship announced

Jiaxian Zhang is the first recipient of a PhD Scholarship from the Joint Funding Programme between China Scholarship Council and New Zealand-China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (CSC-NCD CRCC Joint Funding Programme).

New video “brochure” about the NZ-China Food Protection Network

Here’s a way-of-the-future electronic brochure describing the aims and work of the NZ-China Food Protection Network. You’ll find the 2.5 minute presentation easy to listen to and absorb. It is in both Chinese and English. The storyboard was produced for the Network by Dr Petra Muellner, EPI-interactive.

NZ China Scientist Exchange at Scion - Professor Hu

At the beginning of February 2018 Professor Changying Hu from the College of Science and Engineering (Jinan University) visited New Zealand to take part in a scientist exchange funded by the New Zealand China Food Protection Network (NZCFPN).

Congratulations, Distinguished Professor Nigel French

It is a huge pleasure to announce that Nigel has been awarded the title of Distinguished Professor, which is the highest honour Massey University can bestow on a member of its academic staff and reflects the importance it places on the work and achievement of the recipients.

2017 NCD Emerging Researcher Travel Fellowship announced

Dr José Derraik of the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland has been awarded the inaugural NZ-China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre emerging researcher travel fellowship.

Ideas to Life: Creating new links between New Zealand and Chinese health researchers

In mid-December 2017, Professor Chris Bullen, Director of the University of Auckland’s National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) and NIHI biostatistician Dr Yannan Jiang visited the Chinese city of Hangzhou, near Shanghai, to take part in the University of Auckland’s Initial ‘Ideas to Life’ conference.

Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage in New Zealand and China, with particular reference to the dairy value chain

Brief summary of recent highlights from NZCFPN-seed project:

‘Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage in New Zealand and China, with particular reference to the dairy value chain’

Lincoln University Hosts NZ China Water Research Workshop

The New Zealand China Water Research Centre recently hosted a two day workshop at Lincoln University.

NZ-China non-communicable disease research strengthened

The NZ-China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (NCD CRCC) recently signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four leading Chinese research institutions - highlighting the growing collaborations between New Zealand and Chinese health researchers.

A Long Way from Beijing

An immediate outcome of the Centre’s visit to China in April was the arrangement for food scientist Dr Lishui Chen to spend a year at NZFSSRC in Palmerston North. Lishui arrived in July. His travel is funded by the NZ China Food Protection Network, and salary paid by his employer COFCO, China’s largest food processor, manufacturer and marketer.

NZ China Food Protection Network - Packaging for food safety and security

Scion and Otago University joined forces and combined their respective expertise in packaging and consumer perception to establish new relationships with Chinese packaging researchers and manufacturers.

The genetics of gout in different ethnic groups

Gout is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in and around the joints. Genetic factors play a leading role in gout but it is also affected by environmental factors such as diet.

New Zealand researchers visit China

A delegation of leading New Zealand scientists visited China from 15-19 May for a week of productive discussions about how the two countries can collaborate on research to improve human health.

(SAFE) FOOD RECOVERY - Dr Miranda Mirosa, University of Otago

We have become painfully aware of the astonishing amount of food waste. Between 30 and 50%! Think of those browning other-half avocados, the last few slices of mouldy bread, the left over spinach quietly turning to slime in the bottom of the chiller, the mad ill-considered dashes around the supermarket after work. And then there is the past use-by-date food necessarily jettisoned by restaurants and supermarkets. None of these businesses want to waste food. Why would they throw money in the bin? It’s just hard to perfectly anticipate demand.

A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR FOR THE NZ-CHINA WATER RESEARCH CENTRE

It was a busy first year for members of the NZ-China Water Research Centre who undertook two scoping visits to China.

First innovation institute opened in China

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith today opened New Zealand’s first innovation institute in Hangzhou, China, a key step towards developing stronger research links with Chinese researchers.

Natural Sciences Foundation of China visits New Zealand

A delegation from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC) has completed a whirlwind and highly productive 3-day visit to New Zealand to develop stronger scientific links between the two countries.

New Zealand-China collaboration supports young scientists

The New Zealand-China NCD Research Collaboration Centre (NCD CRCC) has joined forces with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and three New Zealand Universities to launch a PhD scholarship scheme for Chinese students interested in undertaking research on non-communicable diseases (NCDs).