26 November 2025 Advancing water science: New Zealand and China unite for research innovation

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University recently welcomed more than 65 delegates from China and New Zealand to campus for the New Zealand-China Water Research Centre Workshop. Attendees represented 23 leading scientific institutions and universities from both countries.

Established in 2016, the New Zealand-China Water Research Centre was created to foster long-term partnerships between scientists in New Zealand and China. These collaborations bring together a range of organisations to deliver integrated research on water quality and related environmental challenges.

Based at Lincoln University, the Centre works in partnership with the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Lincoln Agritech Ltd and the University of Otago. It is one of three centres supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to strengthen bilateral research ties.

Lincoln University’s Professor Hong Di is the Director of the Centre. He says, “The centre hosts workshops, runs joint research programmes and welcomes visiting scientists and students throughout the year to conduct research in freshwater and climate-related areas. We also aim to deepen Māori engagement with China and showcase New Zealand as a hub for research excellence.”

The workshop featured representatives from MBIE, the Chinese Consulate General, and major agricultural universities and research institutes.

“Delegates praised the quality of presentations, which covered topics such as water quality and quantity, reducing contamination, nitrate leaching, nutrient recycling and waste management in areas including forestry and agriculture. We also visited local research facilities to see projects in action,” says Professor Di.

“Our research tackles global challenges like water contamination, efficient resource use, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By working together, we can develop solutions that extend beyond New Zealand and China. So far, we’ve built a strong network of collaborators, hosted over 23 workshops and published more than 150 joint papers.”

Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards attended the event and says, “We’re delighted to host the workshop on campus. Our research and demonstration farms provide an important platform for the Centre’s activities. Our education programmes and research projects are focused on solving real-world problems across the agrifood sectors, including water-related challenges that require novel solutions with a low environmental impact.”

For media enquiries, email media@lincoln.ac.nz.

Image caption: Attendees of the New Zealand-China Water Research Centre workshop held at Lincoln University during November 2025.