New Zealand Universities Face Downward Trend in World Rankings

New Zealand’s top universities have dropped in new world rankings, as a sector group acknowledges there’s work to do to keep up with overseas competitors. Unlike in previous years, not a single New Zealand university moved up Times Higher Education’s rankings for 2025 – and three dropped from their 2024 spots.

Our largest tertiary institute, the University of Auckland, fell out of the top 150 for the first time since 2020: it’s now ranked jointly 152nd after dropping two places from last year. The University of Otago meanwhile dropped from band 301-350 to band 351-400 – its lowest position since joining the rankings in 2016.

Factors Influencing the Decline

The company noted New Zealand’s recent drop in international student numbers along with a financial squeeze that’s led to the loss of hundreds of academic and staff jobs. Times Higher Education (THE), one of several major companies that rank universities around the world, uses 18 indicators to measure areas like teaching, research and student-to-staff ratios. As one of 30 countries to get a top-200 position among 115 nations and 2092 universities, New Zealand had performed well “on the surface”, the company’s chief global affairs officer Phil Batty said.

Government Funding and International Student Numbers

A University of Otago - Ōtākou Whākaihu Waka spokesperson said “While we are disappointed to see a drop in our ranking this year, we are proud to remain the second-ranked university in New Zealand. It is worth noting that none of the eight universities in the country improved in this latest assessment, indicating a broader trend affecting the New Zealand university sector.”

“New Zealand universities have faced several challenges during this period, including an extended period dating back to 2017 when core and contestable research funding has not increased and, in fact, has declined in real terms; [and] student-related funding increases below inflation over the same period,” the spokesperson said.

Auckland University's Perspective

In a statement, the University of Auckland pointed out there had been an increase in the number of universities being ranked, from 1907 to 2092, meaning its relative position has improved given the growth in the number of universities evaluated.

“Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, now sits in the top 7.3% of universities in the world, up slightly from being in the top 7.9% in 2024″ it said. The University is the only New Zealand university in the top 200 universities worldwide; all others in Aotearoa are ranked 350+. The University of Auckland remains No 1 in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A Call for Improvement

Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan added: “What these latest rankings highlight is that there’s more we can be doing to keep up with our international counterparts.” Batty said the Government’s independent reviews of the country’s science and university sectors – both yet to be released – would be “critical” for the long-term sector’s health and global competitiveness.

The Global Landscape

Results were little better across the Tasman, with Australia’s top five universities all falling in the rankings. THE’s top five ranked universities for 2025 were, in order, Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Princeton and Cambridge. Globally, the top five universities in Australia have dropped places, while a number of well-funded universities in Asia have risen.

Looking Ahead

The decline of New Zealand’s universities in the rankings serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they face. Maintaining a strong position in international rankings requires a concerted effort, including increasing funding, attracting and retaining top talent, and fostering a culture of innovation. As the higher education landscape continues to evolve, New Zealand universities must adapt to remain competitive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic and social progress.