Built on a strong foundation of mutual trust, shared values, and an enduring partnership between two world-leading, like-minded institutions, this renewed agreement reflects a vibrant commitment to deepening their long-standing alliance.

From expanding reciprocal student and staff mobility to driving innovative research in sustainable agriculture, Horizon Europe projects, and global food systems across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, both universities are looking forward with great warmth and energy to transforming their exceptional relationship into even greater shared impact.

Collaboration between WUR and Massey University dates back to 1985 and has spanned agricultural and life sciences, food safety and security, epidemiology and veterinary science. This fruitful collaboration has grown into a thriving partnership, which was first formalised through a strategic co-operation agreement back in 2009.

The agreement has also laid the groundwork for academic exchanges between the two Universities. Students and faculty staff at both universities have worked together on joint research projects, master’s programmes and in international conferences, such as the International Symposium on Dietary Protein for Human Health which took place in 2023.

As the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, the Netherlands is a leading force in the field of efficient farming, while New Zealand is a global exporter of grass fed sheep meat and dairy products, feeding tens of millions of people worldwide. It is truly incredible how our small countries are able to make such big contributions on the world stage.

However, farming and food systems are faced with ongoing challenges. Through regular exchanges of delegations between both countries, Wageningen University and its counterparts in New Zealand aim to turn shared ambition into real change.

Our Embassy is looking forward to supporting the next chapter in this important academic relationship. While Wageningen University and Massey University may be half a world apart, this renewed agreement suggests they are closer than ever.