David Lillis: New Zealand’s Universities - Bullying and Other Issues

Bullying at Our Universities

Over the last few years we have exposed bullying in many workplaces across New Zealand, especially in our public service (see Lillis, 2021 - 2024). Unfortunately, we hear reports of continuing bullying at our universities, sometimes linked with re-direction of mission statements and strategic plans and the indigenization of the universities. Those who speak out against such measures are at risk of loss of career advancement or even their employment.   

Dr James Kierstead: The future of our universities

The Future of Our Universities is now in the past. The long-awaited symposium, hosted by the Initiative, took place on Wednesday at the Royal Society Apārangi in Wellington. It brought together senior academics, politicians, and policy wonks for a day-long discussion of university reform.

The ongoing cuts at several universities loomed large. One speaker with experience in banking regulation argued that our universities’ finances are basically sound, with adequate liquidity and very low debt. Others warned that university balance sheets can create a false sense of security. Property assets, for example, are not easily realisable.