The New Zealand government has extended a scholarship program aimed at deepening collaboration on food safety with China.

Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew said Tuesday the program developed by New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) would be extended by two years.

It was the first initiative under the Food Safety Cooperation Agreement signed between New Zealand and China in November 2013, Goodhew said in a statement.

The scholarship covered practice regulation, risk management, food processing and design, and the development and implementation of food standards.

It had an academic component led by New Zealand's Massey University, which was supported by applied learning through study tours and internships.

"This scholarship not only increases the understanding of our respective food safety systems, it also helps to strengthen the relationships between the two countries and helps to align food safety practices," said Goodhew.

"The two year extension of this scholarship program will further enhance the close cooperation between our two countries, resulting in a stronger bilateral relationship in the areas of food safety and consumer confidence."