Massey makes $3.7 million surplus – no ‘current’ plans to cut courses

Last year, when the word “Massey” was uttered in the media, it was usually followed with something like ‘mounting deficit’ or ‘ten consecutive years of declining enrolments’.  

But alas, there is hope: The university reported a $3.7 million operating surplus for the year 2024-2025, gliding above the $30 million deficit it was preparing for. 

At the University Council meeting in March, Massey said this came down to higher-than-expected income met with lower-than-expected expenses. 

The university reported a $45.5m deficit in 2023, amongst hundreds of course and staff cuts.  

According to the new report, Massey have been able to snatch more research funding from sources like the Government and the Royal Society, as well as earning more from “consultancy, conference and trading” income. 

Vice chancellor Jan Thomas declared the 2024 year a “highly successful one”. She told the council that her focus was now on making a better-than-expected position sustainable. 

Thomas noted that the surplus was made possible thanks to a rollback in spending in the last quarter. This includes holding off on filling open staff vacancies, and various “one-off specific items”. 

Prior to the meeting, Massive asked the university if they planned on cutting any courses this year, as other universities such as AUT had begun to. 

A spokesperson said, “There are currently no proposals underway to cut courses at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.” 

However, two weeks ago the Teritary Education Union (TEU) warned that the university sector is facing financial disaster, and course and staff cuts will be the first consequence.  

TEU said the risk comes down to a high reliance on extramural and online study, which allows fewer enrolled students to study full-time. This has also previously been suggested by the Tertiary Education Commission in 2024. 

The Massey spokesperson disagreed with this assertion. 

“Massey has a rich history of delivering high-quality online learning, and more than 50 per cent of our students choose to study online, with many stating the flexibility and convenience of this option as the main reason.”  

“We do not agree this puts us in a more financially unstable position than other New Zealand universities.” 

“Massey is working towards our ambition to be a modern 21st century university which operates within the income we generate, both Government funding and other forms of income, so we can continue to offer world-class teaching”.