Articles tagged with University
First Psychology Assistant Students Train in New Zealand to Boost Mental Health Workforce
2 weeks ago | 218 viewsPsychology Assistant students in New Zealand are training for a new role designed to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to support, with the first graduates entering the workforce next year. Funded by a $28.45 million investment in Budget 2026, these assistants will work under registered psychologists to provide low-intensity interventions and support, allowing psychologists to focus on more complex cases. This initiative complements efforts to nearly double clinical psychology internships by 2026, aiming to better meet the growing demand for mental health services across the country.
Tags: Psychology Assistant Mental Health Matt Doocey University of Canterbury Auckland University of Technology New Zealand Psychologists Board Budget 2026 Clinical Psychology Mental Health Workforce Health New ZealandEdward David Crook Appointed High Court Judge in Auckland Starting 2026
2 weeks ago | 271 viewsAttorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Edward David Crook as a Judge of the High Court, effective 24 August 2026, to sit in Auckland. Justice Crook graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Cambridge and has extensive experience as a transactional lawyer specializing in real estate and construction, primarily serving institutional investors and developers. He has held leadership roles at Russell McVeagh, including chairing the Real Estate and Construction Team and the partnership, and has been a Director of the College of Law since 2007.
Tags: Chris Bishop Edward David Crook Ed Crook Justice Crook Herbert Smith Russell McVeagh Buddle Findlay University of Cambridge College of LawNew Appointments Strengthen New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Leadership
1 month ago | 332 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced the reappointment of Sue Tindal as Deputy Chair and the appointment of Natasha Possenniskie as a new director to the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission board. Tindal’s extensive financial and governance experience, along with Possenniskie’s 25 years in infrastructure planning and delivery, will enhance the Commission’s capacity to provide strategic oversight and robust project assurance. These appointments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to strengthening leadership and expertise to fulfill the Commission’s expanded mandate and improve infrastructure outcomes in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Sue Tindal Natasha Possenniskie New Zealand Infrastructure Commission KiwiRail Auckland Council PwC Commonwealth Bank of Australia Urban Outcomes Limited Massey UniversitySupreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges Appointed from July 2026
1 month ago | 455 viewsAttorney-General Chris Bishop announced that Justice Neil Ross Campbell will become a Judge of the Supreme Court and Justice David Gary Johnstone a Judge of the Court of Appeal, both starting on 16 July 2026. Justice Campbell has a distinguished academic and legal career, including roles as a law professor, Queen’s Counsel, and previous judicial appointments, while Justice Johnstone has extensive experience in criminal law, commercial litigation, and prosecution, with recent appointments as a High Court Judge. Both bring significant expertise from academia and practice, reflecting their progression through New Zealand’s legal system.
Tags: Chris Bishop Neil Ross Campbell David Gary Johnstone University of Auckland University of Cambridge Bell Gully Meredith Connell Queen’s Counsel High Court Judge Court of Appeal JudgeKiwi Space Activator Funds University of Auckland’s Rakiraki CubeSat Project
1 month ago | 504 viewsSpace Minister Chris Penk announced that the University of Auckland received $300,000 from the Kiwi Space Activator pilot programme to develop the Rakiraki CubeSat, a satellite aimed at improving space object tracking to protect essential satellite services. The programme supports New Zealand innovators in advancing space technology from concept to launch, fostering sovereign space capability, commercialisation, and global market access. With $1.78 million awarded across two rounds to four projects, the initiative reflects the growing and high-quality space innovation sector in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Kiwi Space Activator University of Auckland Rakiraki CubeSat Auckland University of Technology Space Operations New Zealand MBIE New Zealand space sector Kiwi businesses space technologyUniversity of Waikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028
1 month ago | 485 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually, with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A nationwide distributed clinical placement network is being established to coordinate training across New Zealand’s three medical schools, including new Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural healthcare workforce growth. This initiative aims to build a stronger, regionally connected health workforce by embedding students in their home regions, addressing long-term shortages in primary care and rural health services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandWaikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028 Launch
1 month ago | 508 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A new national distributed clinical placement network, developed with Health New Zealand and other universities, will coordinate opportunities and establish Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural training and retention. This initiative aims to strengthen New Zealand's domestic medical workforce by embedding students in regional and rural settings, addressing long-term shortages, and building a more regionally connected health system.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandGovernment Invests $143M to Boost NZ Food & Fibre Sector Productivity Through Innovation
1 month ago | 341 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasize that New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, which accounts for over 80% of exports, requires increased productivity through innovation and greater land use flexibility. The Government is investing $143 million in six commercial projects across various sectors, partnering with industry to demonstrate how science, technology, and regulatory reform can drive growth while reducing environmental impact. A report from Lincoln University and ASB Bank projects that adopting these innovations and flexible land use could boost the economy by $10 billion within five to seven years.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Todd McClay New Zealand food and fibre sector agriculture innovation land use flexibility Government investment productivity Lincoln UniversityNew Tertiary Research Excellence Fund Boosts Innovation and Cuts Red Tape
2 months ago | 439 viewsThe new Tertiary Research Excellence Fund (TREF) will replace the Performance-Based Research Fund, investing $315 million annually to enhance research capability in New Zealand's tertiary education system with a focus on economic growth and reduced compliance costs. TREF emphasizes impact through metrics like external research income, citations, commercialisation, and policy outcomes, aiming to reward research excellence in a more efficient and responsive manner. Developed with expert advice and sector engagement, the fund’s operational design begins immediately, with phased implementation from 2027 and full alignment by 2029.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Sir Peter Gluckman Tertiary Research Excellence Fund TREF PBRF Tertiary Education Commission New Zealand Cabinet University Advisory GroupMajor Hospital Upgrades and $680M Investment to Boost NZ Health Infrastructure
2 months ago | 635 viewsBudget 2026 allocates over $680 million for major hospital upgrades in Whangārei, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, and other facilities across New Zealand, aiming to strengthen health infrastructure and improve patient care. Key projects include a new 158-bed ward tower at Whangārei Hospital, redevelopment planning for regional hospitals, land acquisition for a new hospital south of Auckland, and upgrades to Auckland’s Mason Clinic. Additionally, Health New Zealand will invest $930 million in clinical equipment, technology, and facility improvements nationwide to support health targets, reduce waiting times, and future-proof services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Whangārei Hospital Tauranga Hospital Hawke’s Bay Hospital Palmerston North Hospital University of Waikato Mason Clinic Budget 2026Kiwi Space Activator Funds $1.48M to Boost NZ Space Innovation Projects
2 months ago | 593 viewsSpace Minister Chris Penk announced the first recipients of the Kiwi Space Activator pilot programme, awarding $1.48 million to Dawn Aerospace, the University of Canterbury, and the University of Auckland for innovative space technology projects. These initiatives address government-identified challenges, enhance New Zealand’s space innovation reputation, and include educational components to inspire future innovators. The programme aims to reduce barriers for testing new space technologies, with funding increased to $2.08 million for rounds one and two, and applications for round two closing on May 25, 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Dawn Aerospace University of Canterbury University of Auckland Kiwi Space Activator Hōpara MBIE New Zealand space innovationAttorney-General Appoints Nischal Malarao as Associate Judge of High Court
3 months ago | 596 viewsAttorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Nischal Hasmukhlal Malarao as an Associate Judge of the High Court, effective 8 June 2026, in Auckland. Malarao has extensive legal experience, having worked at Chapman Tripp, Meredith Connell, and Lloyd’s of London, and later becoming a Senior Litigation Partner and head of key practice groups. Since July 2024, he has practiced independently at Richmond Chambers, specializing in civil, commercial, tax, and regulatory disputes, with a focus on company and insolvency law.
Tags: Chris Bishop Nischal Hasmukhlal Malarao Associate Judge Malarao University of Auckland Chapman Tripp Meredith Connell Lloyd’s of London Richmond Chambers AucklandNew Research to Improve Food Safety Rules for Deer Hunters in New Zealand
3 months ago | 494 viewsNew research led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute and Lincoln University aims to provide evidence for more targeted food safety rules regarding deer hunting near brodifacoum bait stations. Current regulations impose a two-kilometre buffer zone for three years after poisoning, limiting commercial hunting access, but evolving science may allow for refined, less restrictive measures. This research will also help maintain New Zealand’s reputation for safe meat exports and support trade assurances.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Bioeconomy Science Institute Lincoln University deer hunters food safety rules brodifacoum toxicology statistical modelling bait station designMichelle Findlater Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
3 months ago | 638 viewsTertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has appointed Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a three-year term starting May 2026. Michelle, with extensive experience in the automotive industry and work-based training, has been recognized for her contributions and potential, including receiving the Janet Lane Scholarship from MITO. Her expertise is expected to support the TEC’s focus on enhancing access, participation, and achievement in tertiary education to build the workforce New Zealand needs.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Michelle Findlater Bharat Guha Tertiary Education Commission MITO Janet Lane Scholarship Harvard University Southland Chamber of Commerce Tertiary Education Minister automotive industryJustice Rachel Sussock Appointed High Court Judge Effective June 2026
3 months ago | 751 viewsAttorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Associate Judge Rachel Julienne Sussock as a High Court Judge, effective 1 June 2026, to sit in Auckland. Justice Sussock has a distinguished legal career, including roles at the Crown Law Office, commercial litigation firms, and appointment as an Associate Judge in 2020. She holds an LLB (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington and was recommended by Hon Judith Collins.
Tags: Chris Bishop Rachel Julienne Sussock Judith Collins Victoria University of Wellington Phillips Fox DLA Piper Crown Law Office Wilson Harle Lowndes Jordan High Court Judge