Liverpool Zhang, a relationship and development manager at Plant and Food Research (Greater China), said, "We're also leveraging the partnership to work with others, to maximize the benefits and potential to China and the global kiwifruit sector."

According to Zhang, the lab unveiled 11 years ago continues to have an impact beyond the industry. Its Bioeconomy Science Institute international joint laboratory platform and links also mean that researchers in New Zealand are able to enjoy "intangible benefits, because that means we can do more work, and they have more people and more resources. It makes our partnership stronger", he said.

Winning formula

The pillar dairy sector also received a significant boost in 2014, with a major memorandum of understanding signed between Chinese dairy giant Yili Group and New Zealand's Lincoln University which focused on technological innovations in dairy production and processing in both countries.

The memorandum, which was renewed in April, led to the establishment of the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand.