Three New Zealand research teams have been awarded funding to collaborate with Japanese researchers on projects aimed at improving the country's resilience in natural disasters.
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced that the government is investing in research that will deliver tangible benefits to New Zealanders. The research focuses on three key areas: enhancing building resilience during seismic events, understanding tolerable levels of ashfall following volcanic eruptions, and conducting a seismic study of the Hikurangi subduction zone.
The University of Canterbury will partner with Tohoku University on developing a structural retrofitting system to reduce costs while increasing building safety. GNS Science will collaborate with Japan's National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience to establish tolerable ashfall levels, and also work with the Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology on a seismic study of New Zealand's largest tsunami threat.
The research teams will receive $300,000 each from the government's Catalyst Fund, with equivalent funding provided by the Japanese partner. This collaboration aims to leverage international expertise and resources to drive world-class science and innovation that benefits New Zealand.