Punching above our weight: New Zealand universities’ success story makes the case for investment

Punching above our weight: New Zealand universities’ success story makes the case for investment

Professor Cheryl de la Rey

Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor
University of Canterbury
Chair of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee

Aotearoa New Zealand universities have proven themselves as exceptional stewards of resources, consistently delivering outstanding returns on investment. We have the tools to transform New Zealand into an even more powerful force in global education and research.

Our universities have demonstrated exceptional resourcefulness in prioritising investments for maximum impact. While current funding sits below international benchmarks – less than half of US investment per student and beneath the OECD average of US$20,499 – we continue to develop innovative approaches to deliver outstanding results.

And our outcomes are world-leading. With an impressive 83.6% graduate satisfaction rate, we’re outperforming Australia’s 76-81%. Our completion rate of 67% leads the pack, surpassing both Australia and the United States (both around 62%). These achievements are something to be rightfully proud of; they show the commitment and can-do attitude of our university communities.

We can also be proud of our graduates’ career success. The 1.5% unemployment rate among tertiary-qualified New Zealanders aged 25-65 outshines comparable nations like the United States (2.0%), and Australia (2.4%), highlighting the real-world value of a New Zealand university education.

These outstanding results have been achieved through creative solutions, technological innovation, and strategic efficiency measures. Imagine what could be accomplished with resources matching our ambitions! Additional investment would further enable groundbreaking research, enhance support for students, attract and retain world-class academic talent, and strengthen New Zealand’s position as a leading light in the global knowledge economy.

As we anticipate the impact of changing geo-politics, generative Artificial Intelligence, climate change and other major shifts, now is the time to look to our universities as societal institutions that play an essential role in shaping our future. As reflected in the UNESCO Roadmap on Education: Higher education has a strategic and irreplaceable role to play in building more sustainable, resilient and peaceful societies.