Four research projects partnering with China funded

More details on these projects below:

• Optimising methane mitigation in ruminants through bromoform microemulsion
  
  New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science
  
  This project aims to develop field-ready technology capable of reducing harmful methane emissions from cows and other livestock ruminants by at least 30 percent. The focus is realising the potential of the compound bromoform as a potent methane inhibitor.
  
  
• Enhanced CO₂ sequestration from coal fired power plants in deep saline aquifers.
  
  University of Waikato
  
  This project is seeking to enable the safe and secure storage of impure carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants by injecting the CO₂ into deep underground saline aquifers.
  
  
• Leveraging social ecological adaptation for nature based coastal wetland restoration.
  
  The Cawthron Institute
  
  This project will develop a social-ecological approach to wetland restoration. By improving the evidence base around the economic value of wetlands, such as carbon sequestration, it aims to enable more effective bottom-up restoration and inform future approaches to climate adaptation and regional land-use change.
  
  
• Integrated CO₂ capture and electrochemical upgradation for zero carbon fuel production.
  
  University of Auckland
  
  This project aims to develop a system that integrates the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide, creating a process that would significantly reduce the cost of transforming CO₂ into zero-carbon fuels.
  
  

New Zealand’s strategic cooperation with China

New Zealand and Chinese scientists have been cooperating for more than 40 years. In 1987 the first government-level Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement was signed, and this was renewed in 2003. In 2010, the relationship was strengthened further with the signing of the Strategic Research Alliance. Five-year roadmaps enable New Zealand and China to agree on research and relationship priorities. The most recent version runs to 2027.

The focus of the 2025 round was environmental technologies in research areas such as clean and renewable energy, climate change adaptation and mitigation and carbon dioxide capture and conversion.

The Alliance is a bilateral initiative between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). It supports joint research projects that foster scientific collaboration and address shared challenges. Funding is provided through MBIE’s Catalyst Fund, with Chinese partners receiving support from MoST.

Proposals for the New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance 2026 close on 1 July 2026.

New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance 2026