Working at the University of Auckland
Where your work, your purpose and your life can thrive
A proud history
Founded by an Act of Parliament in 1883, the University of Auckland has, from our earliest days, admitted both male and female students. We are committed to equity across gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural and religious practices and for those with disabilities.
Global reach
The University has a wide network of international affiliations and formal agreements with universities in 39 countries, and is the only New Zealand member of U21, the WUN, and the APRU. The University is committed to remaining a global leader in Pacific research and teaching and in 2018 appointed the world’s first Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific.
Consistent rankings
The University was ranked with five subjects in the Top 50 and an impressive 27 subjects in the Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 and is consistently in the top 100 universities (#65 QS World University Rankings 2025). We have retained our top ranking in the world for impact as measured by contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals for four years.
Outstanding contributions
The University makes a significant contribution to the regional and national economy, demonstrating deep commitment to supporting the achievement of Māori and Pacific students and staff in particular.
An unshakeable framework
Long-term viability requires maintaining sufficient revenue and student numbers, as well as ensuring that the University’s revenue stream is sufficiently broad, and that we are recruiting students from diverse segments of the market. Guided by Waipapa Toitū, the University’s framework of principles, Taumata Teitei details the distinctiveness that the University will pursue – to be known globally for excellence and impact in our agreed transdisciplinary areas. These are evidenced and recognised by the University’s position in global university rankings, where we are measured against other tertiary education providers in the world on globally comparable benchmarks for compelling evidence of academic excellence, community engagement, and contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Resilient and resourceful
To deliver on its goals, plans and strategic initiatives, it is important that the University is both viable and effective. Alongside continued exceptional demand for student enrolments, the University leaders continue to maintain a healthy financial position, supporting strategic investment while providing important resilience against the significant economic and other headwinds that have since emerged.
Stable, supportive governance
University governance is both stable and supportive. With a mix of ministerial, community leaders, staff and student appointees. Council provides an appropriate level of support and oversight for the Vice-Chancellor and leadership team. Senate provides academic governance. Since its founding in 1883, the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau has grown to become New Zealand’s flagship, research-led university, known for its excellence in teaching, research, and service to local, national and international communities
Growing everyday
Across the University we have more than 47,000 students, of whom nearly 20% are postgraduates. Our research programmes deliver across all disciplines, and we are world leaders in such fields as cancer drug development, inductive power transfer and computational physiology. Auckland UniServices Ltd, our research commercialisation company, is recognised internationally for its achievements in transferring the outcomes of our research to industry.
Want to know more?
For a complete overview of our history, teaching and research strengths, diverse networks and vibrant, cosmopolitan campuses, see the 2024 Annual Report.
Our Stories
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Professor Dawn Freshwater
Vice-Chancellor
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Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau
Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific
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Professor JR Rowland
PVC Global & Graduate Research
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Professor Jan Eldridge
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Science
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Professor Julian Paton
Director, Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa New Zealand - Manaaki Mānawa
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Professor Nuala Gregory
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education
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Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins
Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori | Ihonuku Māori
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Associate Professor Peng Du
Associate Director, Research, ABI
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Professor Guglielmo Aglietti
Director of the Space Institute
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Michael Steedman
Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori | Kaiarataki
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Paul Boakes
Head of Digital Workspace
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Neil Constable
Senior Recruitment Consultant
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Alex Thomas
Director, Research Strategy and Delivery
About the University
Vision and Purpose
We will be internationally recognised for our unique contribution to fair, ethical and sustainable societies.
We create globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in worldleading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.
Our Values
Our values are lived through our behaviours and actions, with strong and enduring commitments to open intellectual inquiry, collaboration, creativity, and equity and diversity.
Respect and Integrity
- We respect and appreciate what makes people different, harnessing the power of our diversity.
- We recognise the multiple perspectives of our community.
- We understand that our actions influence intergenerational equality and act accordingly in the service of equity and inclusion.
- We act with integrity, openness and honesty at all times.
- We take responsibility for our choices and actions, and trust that others will fulfil their responsibilities.
- We are values-led in our relationships, creating genuine opportunities for the communities we serve to engage in ethical and responsible partnerships.
- We embrace the generation and sharing of knowledge, supporting the freedom to express controversial opinions and ideas without retribution.
Excellence
- As a world-class university, we will maximise our contributions to forging just and sustainable societies in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
- We are ambitious for the betterment of society and aspire to excellence in everything we do.
- Together with our students, communities and international partners, we facilitate solutions that shape and advance our future.
- In our role as a world-class university, we work to graduate the leaders of tomorrow.
- We believe that excellence in teaching and research provides a means of engendering transformation in the lives of many people.
Service
- An ethic of active service and civic responsibility underpins all engagements with our communities.
- We engage with our communities in genuine partnerships to promote their prosperity and help them to realise their aspirations.
- We apply our knowledge, skills and expertise derived from our engagement with kaupapa Māori and international scholarship to the positive transformation of society.
Te Ao Māori Principles
We are committed to positively impacting society, and to the advancement and exploration of knowledge. We will do this in ways consistent with our emerging Waipapa framework. Our fundamental principles reflect our foundational relationship with tangata whenua and our commitment to Te Tiriti.
Manaakitanga – Caring for those around us in the way we relate to each other.
Whanaungatanga – Recognising the importance of kinship and lasting relationships.
Kaitiakitanga – Valuing stewardship and guardianship and our relationship with the natural world.
He Iti Kahurangi - Our Signature Leadership Practices
Our new leadership framework, He Iti Kahurangi signposts the leadership we need for success. It describes the leadership we aspire to at Waipapa Taumata Rau to foster a great culture and achieve our strategic aspirations.
We lead together
- We lead collegially, irrespective of our position in the organisation.
- As rangatira (leaders), we rarangatira (weave groups together to work productively) and foster teamwork.
- We bring out the best in each other and leverage each other’s strengths we lead together to deliver our purpose and to create impact.
- We deeply collaborate, working across areas internally & externally.
We empower each other
- We create clarity about the expectations and outcomes for the mahi.
- We trust each other’s expertise and back each other to decide and act.
- We respond constructively when things don’t go to plan.
- We take accountability and engage in the tough conversations with care and candour.
- We celebrate each other’s success.
We build belonging
- We value each person and listen to each other.
- We are open and curious as we skillfully navigate diverse cultures and communities.
- We are aware of our own identities and perspectives and how they affect others.
- We are whānau (friends, allies, family), actively promoting inclusion.
- We authentically work through differences, making it safe to respectfully express views.
We clear the path
- We are considered and selective, focusing on what really matters.
- We ask bold questions and have the courage to stop things.
- We simplify how we do things.
- We aim high, while managing workload in a sustainable way.
University Organisation Charts
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