The ClockTower on the City Campus. The building is protected as a 'Category I' historic place, and was finished in 1926. It is considered an Auckland landmark and an icon of the university.[6]University House, a former synagogue, leased by the university.
TheUniversity of Auckland (UoA;Māori:Waipapa Taumata Rau) is apublicresearch university based inAuckland,New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of theUniversity of New Zealand. Initially located in a repurposed courthouse, the university has grown substantially over the years.[1] As of 2024, it stands as the largest university in New Zealand by enrolment, teaching approximately 43,000 students across three major campuses in central Auckland.[7]
The University of Auckland began as a constituent college of theUniversity of New Zealand, founded on 23 May 1883 asAuckland University College. Stewardship of the university during its establishment period was the responsibility ofJohn Chapman Andrew (Vice Chancellor of the University of New Zealand 1885–1903). Housed in a disused courthouse and jail, it started out with 95 students and 4 teaching staff: Frederick Douglas Brown, professor of chemistry (London and Oxford);Algernon Phillips Withiel Thomas, professor of natural sciences (Oxford);Thomas George Tucker, professor of classics (Cambridge); andWilliam Steadman Aldis, professor of mathematics (Cambridge).[a][10] By 1901, student numbers had risen to 156; the majority of these students were training towards being law clerks or teachers and were enrolled part-time.
The university conducted little research until the 1930s, when there was a spike in interest in academic research during theGreat Depression. At this point, the college's executive council issued several resolutions in favour of academic freedom after the controversial dismissal ofJohn Beaglehole (allegedly for a letter to a newspaper where he publicly defended the right of communists to distribute their literature), which helped encourage the college's growth.
In 1934, four new professors joined the college:Arthur Sewell (English),H.G. Forder (Mathematics), C.G. Cooper (Classics) andJames Rutherford (History). The combination of new talent, and academic freedom saw Auckland University College flourish through to the 1950s.[1]
In 1950, theElam School of Fine Arts was brought into the University of Auckland. Archie Fisher, who had been appointed principal of the Elam School of Fine Arts was instrumental in having it brought in the University of Auckland.
Plaque commemorating the opening of the Science Centre of the University of Auckland by the Queen Mother in 1966. The plaque is currently placed outside Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre in Building 301 of the Science Centre.
The University of New Zealand was dissolved in 1961 and the University of Auckland was empowered by the University of Auckland Act 1961.[11]
Inside the Recreation Centre of the University of Auckland, City Campus in 2019. The Recreation Centre was replaced by a new Recreation and Wellness Centre in late 2024.
Queen Elizabeth II opened the new School of Medicine Building atGrafton on 24 March 1970. The Queen also opened the Liggins Institute in 2002.[13]
The North Shore Campus, established in 2001, was located in the suburb ofTakapuna. It offered the Bachelor of Business and Information Management degree. The faculty was served by its own library. At the end of 2006, the campus was closed, and the degree relocated to the City campus.[14]
ProfessorStuart McCutcheon became vice-chancellor on 1 January 2005. He was previously the vice-chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington.[19] He succeeded DrJohn Hood (PhD, Hon. LLD), who was appointed vice-chancellor of theUniversity of Oxford.[20] On 16 March 2020, McCutcheon was succeeded by ProfessorDawn Freshwater, the first female vice-chancellor in the university's history.[21]
The university openeda new business school in 2007, following the completion of the Information Commons. It has recently gained international accreditations for all its programmes and now completes the "Triple Crown" (AMBA,EQUIS andAACSB).[22]
In 2009, the university embarked on a NZ$1 billion 10-year plan to redevelop and expand its facilities.[23] The $240 million Grafton Campus upgrade was completed in 2011.[24] In May 2013 the university purchased a site for new 5.2-hectare campus on a formerLion Breweries site adjacent to the major business area inNewmarket.[25] The Faculty of Engineering and the School of Chemical Sciences moved into the new faculties in 2015.[1] The NZ$200 million new Science Centre was opened in July 2017.[26] The NZ$280 million new Engineering Building was completed in 2019.[27] In 2017, work started on the building of a new $116m medical school building in Grafton Campus.[28] In 2019, work began on the redevelopment of the University Recreation Centre in the City Campus.[29][30] The new recreation centre, Hiwa, opened in 2024. The University of Auckland has also built multiple student accommodation buildings, and it became the largest provider of student accommodation in New Zealand.[31]
Since 1957, when Auckland University College became the University of Auckland, the university has had 13 chancellors. Previously, the college council had been headed by a president (from 1923), or a chairman (1883–1923).
The University of Auckland's Arms (crest) were granted byletters patent on 15 February 1962, and are recorded in theCollege of Arms, London, England.[1][45]
Coat of arms of the University of Auckland
Granted
15 February 1962; 63 years ago (15 February 1962)
Escutcheon
The shield is azure (blue) with an argent (silver) mullet (five-pointed star). Between the stars is an open book ‘proper’ i.e. in its natural colours. The edge of the book and the binding are gold (‘Or’) and it is bound with seven gold clasps on either side which close the book securely. Its ‘chief’ (broad strip at the top of the shield) is wavy, that is the base of the chief is in a wave-like line. The chief is argent and on it are three kiwis ‘proper’ meaning they are shown in their natural colour.
Motto
Ingenio et Labore. (Latin) By natural ability and hard work
Symbolism
The open book together with the motto ‘Ingenio et Labore’, freely translated as ‘by natural ability and hard work’, reflects the aim of the institution and, combined with the three stars, expresses the idea of learning pursued under the Southern Hemisphere sky. The kiwis are indicative of New Zealand, as the bird is confined to its islands, and the silver wavy chief upon which they are set directs attention to the fact that Auckland is on the coast.
The Unleash Space, located in the University of Auckland Engineering Building.
In 2018, the University opened the Unleash Space (Māori:Kura Matahuna), a co-working area dedicated to entrepreneurial-minded students and staff featuring a maker space for designing and constructing prototypes.[46]
The University of Auckland ranked first in the 2023 Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research (SCOPR) for the most active startup and spinout companies, with 47 recorded.[47]
The University hosts several initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship:
TheCentre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), an academic entity that aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the university.[48] Under the leadership of director Darsel Keane[49] and academic director Rod McNaughton,[50] the Centre provides free co-curricular learning opportunities for students and staff. Since its founding in 2003, the Centre has supported over two hundred unique ventures and thousands of individuals[48] including the founders of Kami,[51] Zenno Astronautics,[52] Tectonus,[53] Auror,[54] Halter,[55] Wayve,[56] Kitea Health,[57] Hectre,[58] Alimetry[59] and Spalk.[60]
TheNewmarket Innovation Precinct, a co-working space and research and development community for deep-tech start-ups and businesses, based in the Faculty of Engineering and Design.[61]
UniServices, a wholly owned university subsidiary that manages the University of Auckland’s Investors’ Fund, a contestable evergreen $41m seed/pre-seed fund, along with two investment committees:Momentum, a student-led investment committee programme, andReturn on Science, a national research commercialisation programme.[62]
MedTech-iQ Aotearoa, New Zealand's national innovation hub for medical technology, hosted by the University’s Auckland Bioengineering Institute.[63]
New Zealand Product Accelerator (NZPA), a government-funded research network of researchers and industry partners based at the University’s Newmarket Campus.[64] NZPA manages the National Testing Register, a comprehensive catalogue of over 700 pieces of testing equipment and facilities available for commercial testing.[65]
Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women, a research centre focused on generating research and creating outreach activities to support women in entrepreneurship.[66] The Centre was launched with the support of philanthropic funding from businesswomanTheresa Gattung.[67]
Alfred Nathan House (Building 103) was built in 1882 and acquired by the University of Auckland in 1958.
The University of Auckland has a number of campuses inAuckland, and one inWhangārei in the Northland Region.
From the start of the first semester of 2010, the university banned smoking on any of its property, including inside and outside buildings in areas that were once designated as smoking areas.[68]
Buildings 303 (left) and 302 (right) of the Science Centre at the City Campus of the University of Auckland
The City Campus in the Auckland CBD has the majority of the students and faculties. It covers 16 hectares and has a range of amenities including cafes, health services, libraries, childcare facilities and a recreation centre.[69]
The Newmarket Campus was acquired fromLion, when operations ceased at its Newmarket brewery in 2010, selling the site to the university in May 2013.[70] The university has built an engineering research space and a civil structures hall. This new campus houses the Faculties of Engineering and Science.[69]
The Tai Tokerau Campus inWhangārei offers teacher education courses to the Northland community.[71]
The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences also has several satellite campuses and research facilities including the Waitemata Health Campus (which servicesNorth Shore Hospital andWaitakere Hospital), the Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine at North Shore Hospital, the South Auckland Clinical Campus atMiddlemore Hospital, and the Waikato Clinical School.[69]
The Leigh Marine Laboratory is effectively the marine campus and hosts postgraduate teaching and research at theCape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) near Warkworth. Situated on the east coast, about 100 km north of the city of Auckland, it has access to a wide range of unspoiled marine habitats.[69]
The South Auckland Campus – Te Papa Ako o Tai Tonga opened in February 2020 in Manukau, and replaced the Faculty of Education courses that were offered atManukau Institute of Technology (MIT) prior to the opening of the campus.[72][69]
Goldie Estate – Wine Science Centre. In July 2011 Kim and Jeanette Goldwater gifted a 14-hectare winery inWaiheke Island to the university. The Wine Science Centre currently hosts the university's Wine Science courses.[73][69]
Building 529 (Old Liggins Building) of the University of Auckland Grafton Campus
The School of Population Health building on the Tāmaki Campus
TheTāmaki Innovations Campus was located in the east Auckland suburb ofSt Johns.[69] It was a predominantly postgraduate campus offering training and research security in health innovation and "biodiversity and biosecurity innovation." The Tamaki campus was closed down in 2020 and its former programs were relocated to the city, Grafton, and Newmarket campuses.[74][75]
TheEpsom Campus, located inEpsom, Auckland, was the main teacher training campus, offering programmes in teacher education and social services. It had been theAuckland College of Education's main campus, until the college merged with the university's School of Education in September 2004 to form theFaculty of Education and Social Work.[76] There were plans to close down the Epsom Campus in 2020 and relocate the Faculty of Education and Social Work to the City Campus.[77] Later, the closure of the Epsom Campus was postponed to late 2023, with teaching resuming at the City Campus's refurbished Building 201 in early 2024.[78][79]
UOAIIC was established by the University of Auckland andUniServices, the commercialisation arm and knowledge transfer company of the University of Auckland, in 2017 in the Chinese city ofHangzhou.[80][81][82] The Institute occupies a 2800m² physical space in the Hangzhou Qiantang New Area. UOAIIC is led by Dr Yuan Li. It organises annual conferences and meetings for the university to seek commercial opportunities for its research in China.
The University of Auckland Innovation Institute China (UOAIIC) in Hangzhou, China
Aulin College, based inHarbin, China, was set up by the University of Auckland and theNortheast Forestry University (NEFU) of China in 2019. The name 'Aulin' is a combination of the word "Au" (from the name "Auckland") and "Lin", which is the Chinese word for farming and agriculture. In September 2019, Aulin College had its first intake of undergraduate students. Aulin College offers Bachelor's and master's degrees in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Technology. Graduates will receive degrees from both the University of Auckland and NEFU.[83][84][85]
Albert Barracks wall remnant and the General Library on the City Campus (June 2012)
The University of Auckland Library system consists of the General Library and four specialist libraries: the Davis Law Library,Leigh Marine Laboratory Library, the Philson Library (Medical and Health Sciences), and theSylvia Ashton-Warner Library (Education and Social Work) on the Tai Tokerau campus.[86]
In mid-2018, Vice-Chancellor McCutcheon announced that the university would be closing its Fine Arts, Architecture and Planning, and Music and Dance Libraries. Their collections were merged into the General Library's collections.[87][88][89]
The General Library Special Collections stores several rare books, manuscripts and archives and other material relating to the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Some notable manuscript collections include the Western Pacific Archives (which contains British colonial records relating to that region between 1877 and 1978), the poetRobin Hyde's papers, and the archives of the New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre, localLabour Party branches, and theNew Zealand Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The Special Collections also has several published collections including the Patterson Collection (which contains books on biblical studies, classics, and ancient history), children's authorBetty Gilderdale's collection of New Zealand children's books, the Philson Library's collections of pre-1900 medical books, and the Asian Language Collection (which contains 230 titles of rare Chinese books). Some notable microtext collections include theMāori Land Court Minute Books and the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau series.[90]
The University of Auckland provides a range of accommodation options for students. Several hundred live in Residential Halls and Apartments, which provide, food, accommodation, and social and welfare services alongside self-catered, private residences.[10] The university ceased leasingRailway Campus in November 2008.[91]
The university has four residential halls including Grafton Hall, O'Rorke Hall, University Hall–Towers, and Waipārūrū Hall. These halls are full-catered and are aimed at first–year university students.[92]
In addition, the university runs nine self-catered student residences including Te Tirohanga o te Tōangaroa, Carlaw Park Student Village, Grafton Student Flats, 55 Symonds, University Hall–Towers, UniLodge Auckland, UniLodge on Whitaker, Waikohanga House, and the Goldie Estate Homestead onWaiheke Island.[93] These halls and student residences are located in the Auckland CBD area near the university.[94]
A new recreational centre, named Hiwa, opened in the city campus in November 2024.[95] It replaced the old recreation centre that was built in 1978, when the university had approximately 10,000 students studying on city campus.[96][97]Hiwa was built at a cost of NZ$320 million. Vice-ChancellorDawn Freshwater and Infrastructure MinisterChris Bishop officially opened the building on 21 February 2025.[98]
Established in 1966 byKeith Sinclair and Bob Chapman, TheArt Collection is one of the university's most valuable and cherished assets.[99] However, its most poignant value lies in its use as a resource for teaching, learning and research. Available on loan to departments and faculties on all campuses, the Collection has been built up over forty years to include major works by significant artists such asFrances Hodgkins,Colin McCahon,Luise Fong,Billy Apple andRalph Hotere.[100] Outcomes from postgraduate research on the Collection have included a thesis on its own history as an entity, monograph exhibitions on individual artists, and surveys of the impact of the evolution of the Collection on Auckland's dealer galleries, resulting in the exhibitions and publications Vuletic and His Circle (about the Petar/James Gallery) in 2003 and New Vision Gallery in 2008.
All universities in New Zealand require domestic students to achieve, at a minimum, NZQA University Entrance (UE) to be eligible to enrol.[101] International students must achieve an equivalent, approved qualification from their home country or an approvedFoundation programme provider in New Zealand.[102] International students whose first language is not English will also need to provide proof of their English proficiency.[103] All students who did not complete their high school education or equivalent in English are required to provide a valid IELTS score (minimum of 6.0) or equivalent.[104]
The University of Auckland imposes a minimum rank score requirement for each programme offered, an entry requirement calculated based on the applicant's academic performance in secondary school or an equivalent approved qualification.[105] Select programmes will require prior completion or concurrent enrollment in another programme.[105]
In the 2024Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities, which measures aggregate performance across the QS, THE and ARWU rankings, the university attained a position of #128 (1st nationally).[118]
The Auckland University Students' Association (AUSA) is the representative body of students, formed in 1891.[124] AUSA publicises student issues, administers student facilities, and assists affiliated student clubs and societies. AUSA produces the student magazineCraccum,[125] and runs the radio station95bFM.[126] The name of the alumni association is the University of Auckland Society.[127]
In April 2016, Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon announced that University of Auckland would be selling off its Epsom andTamaki campuses in order to consolidate education and services at the city, Grafton, and Newmarket campuses. The Epsom Campus is the site of the University of Auckland's education faculty while the Tamaki campus hosts elements of the medical and science faculties as well as the School of Population Health.[129][130]
In mid-June 2018, McCutcheon announced that the university would be closing down and merging its specialist fine arts, architecture, and music and dance libraries into the City Campus' General Library. In addition, the university would cut 100 support jobs. The Vice-Chancellor claimed that these cutbacks would save between NZ$3 million and $4 million a year.[87][88][89] This announcement triggered criticism and several protests from arts faculty and students. Students objected to the closure of the Elam Fine Arts Library on the grounds that it would make it harder to access study materials. Thousands of dissenters circulated a petition protesting the Vice-Chancellor's restructuring policies. Protests were also held in April, May, and June 2018.[131][132][88]
In April 2017, more than 100 students from the Auckland University Medical Students Association marched demanding the removal of coal, oil and gas from the university's investment portfolio. In May 2017, 14 people from student group Fossil Fuel UoA occupied the Clocktower, urging current Vice Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon to issue a statement in support of divestment from fossil fuels.[133] After twelve hours, they were forcibly removed by police. The following day over two hundred students and staff marched to demand divestment from fossil fuels[134] and more than 240 members of staff from 8 faculties signed an open letter supporting divestment to the Boards of the University of Auckland Foundation and School of Medicine Foundation.[135] Today, the University of Auckland Foundation has a Responsible Investment Policy.[136] The foundation has now effectively eliminated fossil fuels from its investment portfolio. As at 31 December 2021, only 0.005% (31 December 2020 0.49%) of the foundation's investments were held in companies deriving revenue from fossil fuels.
In early December 2020, theAuditor-General's Office released its report criticising the University of Auckland's decision to purchase a NZ$5 million house in Auckland'sParnell suburb for Vice ChancellorDawn Freshwater, ruling that the university had not been able to show a "justifiable business purpose" for purchasing the house apart from Freshwater's personal benefit. The purchase of the house had been criticised as frivolous by student unions. In October 2020, Vice Chancellor Freshwater had recommended that the university's board sell the house to pay off debt and becauseCOVID-19 social distancing restrictions had made it impossible to host functions there.[137][138]
In January 2022 Siouxsie Wiles and Shaun Hendy filed claims with theEmployment Relations Authority against the University of Auckland. They alleged that the University did not protect them from harassment for their COVID-19 commentary advocacy for vaccination.[139][140] In October 2022, Hendy resolved the dispute after leaving the university.[141] Wiles started the hearing in early November 2023, and at the end of three week hearing, Judge Holdenreserved her decision.[142][140][143] On 8 July 2024, the Employment Court ruled in Wiles' favour. The Court also ruled that the University did not breach her academic freedom. The University was ordered to pay Wiles' NZ$20,000 in damages.[144]
In 2024, a group of students residing in University of Auckland accommodation initiated "rent strike" on 1 May 2024, following an 8% increase in accommodation costs for the academic year.[145][146]
In August 2024 the University's leadership notified academics across the institution that a "course optimisation" was in progress.[147] This would reduce the number of courses offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and was met with outcry by faculty members. The senate, a group of senior faculty who advise the University Council, voted to pause the ongoing curriculum redesign that had prompted the proposed changes.[148] There were also objections from students and Tertiary Education Union members, who formed a group protesting the changes.
Leslie Munro, former New Zealand's permanent representative to the United Nations, former President of the Trusteeship Council, former President of the United Nations General Assembly, three times President of the Security Council
Peter Thomson, Fijian diplomat, Fiji's former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, former President of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Portrait of ProfessorRoger Curtis Green from the Department of Anthropology
Until his death in 2009, the longest serving staff member was Emeritus Professor of Prehistory,Roger Curtis Green, BA BSc(New Mexico), PhD(Harv.), FRSNZ, MANAS. He had been on the staff 1961–66 and from 1973 onwards. The longest serving, non-'retired' staff member is Bernard Brown,ONZM, LLB (Hons)(Leeds), LLM(Sing.). He has been a full-time senior lecturer in the faculty of law 1962-65 and 1969 onwards.William Phillips, the influential economist largely famed for hisPhillips curve, taught at the university from 1969 until his death in 1975. The programming languageR, widely used by statisticians and data scientists, was developed at the university byRobert Gentleman andRoss Ihaka in the 1990s.[154]
According to theAssociation of University Staff of New Zealand (AUS) in 2007, New Zealand universities, including the University of Auckland, had been taking a more litigious approach to managing their staff in recent years and engaged lawyers and employment advocates to handle even minor matters. The University of Auckland "paid out more than $780,000 in 2006 to settle problems it listed as including personal grievances and disputes".[155] For example, Paul Buchanan, a popular, world-renowned lecturer on international relations and security, was summarily dismissed in 2007 because a student to whom he sent an email complained that she found his comments about her performance in his class to be offensive.[156] He was later reinstated,[157] but this was just a formality[156] and he never returned to lecturing. As the AUS would not financially support a case for full reinstatement, Buchanan accepted the formal reinstatement and a nominal monetary payout as a settlement of his appeal to the Employment Court.[156]
^Steadman Aldis was first offered the position, but declined and recommended his student, George Francis Walker, instead. Walker arrived in Auckland but drowned in a boating accident before taking up the position. The chair was again offered to Steadman Aldis, and this time he accepted, and arrived in time to begin teaching in 1884. The 1883 mathematics course was taught by APW Thomas.[9]
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