In February, an Estonian higher education and research delegation visited New Zealand to build institutional links and map the most promising areas for long-term cooperation.
The delegation was led by Prof Anu Noorma from the Estonian Research Council (ETAG). It included the rectors of Estonia’s leading universities: Toomas Asser (University of Tartu), Tiit Land (TalTech), Tõnu Viik (Tallinn University), Ülle Jaakma (Estonian University of Life Sciences), and Hilkka Hiiop (Estonian Academy of Arts). The delegation also included Hanna Kanep, Secretary General of the Estonian Rectors’ Conference, as well as Maarja Adojaan, Head of the Department of International Research Cooperation at ETAG, and Merilin Reede, a science communication expert at ETAG.
During meetings with universities, the delegation was accompanied by Estonia’s Ambassador to Australia, Jaan Reinholdt, who also hosted (together with Estonia’s Honorary Consul in New Zealand, David Raudkivi) an Independence Day reception for the local diaspora in Auckland.
The delegation visited four cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch.
They met with all eight universities in New Zealand:
• University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology
• University of Waikato
• Massey University
• Victoria University of Wellington
• Lincoln University
• University of Otago (Christchurch campus)
• University of Canterbury
The delegation also discussed potential avenues for cooperation at a roundtable with ministries, involving the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry for Primary Industries; and a representative of Universities New Zealand.
From the university meetings, several potential joint areas of collaboration emerged:
Digital twins and high-performance data processing across sectors
Aquaculture (blue economy) and marine science
Global challenges related to artificial intelligence (AI)
Agriculture and the environment
Space science
Art and design combined with technology
Genomics and medicine
Smart cities and city-scale digital twins
Low-carbon engineered timber and resilient (climate-proof) construction
Bioeconomy / biomass valorisation
Beyond the joint presentations and campus tours, both countries also found much in common, especially a shared mindset. Estonia and New Zealand are both small, agile countries that value openness and trust. They are also driven by a strong can-do spirit, which makes collaboration exciting and multifaceted.
What inspired the delegation most was how quickly discussions moved from broad ideas to concrete next steps. It is from such conversations that strong partnerships and shared goals are born.
Next steps
The visit helped outline a clear and practical roadmap for moving forward: to narrow down the main cooperation tracks, map the necessary researchers, infrastructure, and funding opportunities, and then proceed with the next steps. A return visit from the New Zealand side to Estonia is expected at the end of May.
Warm thanks to our New Zealand hosts and universities for their openness, hospitality, and cooperation!
