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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 in the top 50 for 10 subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and is consistently in the top 100 universities (#65 QS World University Rankings 2025). We have retained our top ten 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. The disruption from Covid-19 had a serious impact on all major Universities and their operations over the last three years. The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau took swift and decisive action in the early stages of the pandemic to protect its financial position, and to support its students and employees. Coupled with exceptional demand for student enrolments, these measures have ensured the university continues to maintain a healthy financial position. This supports ongoing 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 46,000 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 2023 Annual Report.

Annual Report

About the University

Taumata Teitei — Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025

Download pdf - 2.71 MB

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