Massey University Alumni

🎉 Great news! Massey has risen 15 places in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, reaching 215th in the world, our highest-ever position in the global rankings.

We have also retained our position as New Zealand’s third-ranked university, continuing to strengthen our reputation for excellence on the global stage.

This achievement was driven by significant gains in the Employment Outcomes category, rising 92 positions to be ranked 173rd. This measure assesses how effectively universities support graduate employability, an important measure of student success, and also measures the impact of Massey’s graduates around the world. Our Employer Reputation score also rose by 58 positions.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter says, “This result is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the success of our graduates, and our commitment to delivering an outstanding, globally relevant education.”

Read more: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/massey-universitys-global-rank-climbs-to-record-position/.

Originally from Levin, Massey University felt like a natural choice for Tiana Finay, Ngāti Kahungunu, Hamoa. It was close to home, offered strong study options, and fit well with what Tiana wanted to achieve. When her partner began planning to start a business, she decided to step in and support the journey from the paperwork side.

“My partner wanted to start a business, so I thought I’d help him out. That’s what led me to study a diploma in business studies,” Tiana says.

Throughout her studies, Tiana found value in papers that focused on real-world applications. While the workload was heavy at times, Tiana is honest about the reality of studying.

“It’s not easy. There’s a lot of work to get through.”

Behind the scenes, support from family played a big role in getting her to graduation. Her dad was a major source of encouragement, and becoming a parent herself added a deeper layer of motivation.

“My dad, for sure. And I have a child now too. I want to show him, when he’s older, that he can do it as well.”

Graduation day itself was filled with moments that made all the hard work worthwhile. For Tiana, one highlight stood out above the rest.

“The kapa haka! I loved watching that and all the cheering from the family.”

When asked what advice she’d give to future students, Tiana keeps it simple and real: “Just do it. It’s not easy, but go hard. You can do it.”

As for what’s next, Tiana is taking things one step at a time. “For now, it’s work. Maybe later I’ll come back and do a bachelor's or something like that.”

It was a wonderful morning reconnecting with our alumni at the Massey University Alumni Morning Tea during Fieldays 2026.

We were delighted to welcome Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter, Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Sciences Professor Raymond Geor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, and Professor Paul Kenyon, who shared updates on the exciting work happening across the university.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. It was great to catch up, make new connections and celebrate being part of the Massey whānau.

If you’re at Fieldays, visit the Massey stand at the Mystery Creek Pavilion (site PE51) and the MPI Science for Farmers site to discover how Massey research and innovation are helping shape the future of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

Tune in on Saturday 13 June for the first episode of the 2026 season of Rural Delivery on TVNZ!

This season will showcase 12 stories from Massey University’s College of Sciences, highlighting research, teaching and student initiatives that are helping shape the future of New Zealand’s primary industries.

Episode One features:

Diverse Pastures for ReGen Ag: Join Professor Danny Donaghy and Dr Sam Wilson as they share more about the seven-year Whenua Haumanu study which is investigating whether diverse pastures with multiple species can produce more and high-quality feed than simple pasture mixtures.

Massey Horticulture Society: The newly refreshed Horticulture Society is under the spotlight, sharing how it creates connections between students and industry, provides professional development opportunities, and shares the wide variety of career options available across the horticulture sector.

The episodes air each Saturday at 8am on TVNZ1 and will also be available on TVNZ+, Sky Open, Country TV, Pasifika TV, YouTube and the Rural Delivery website. Don’t miss it!

🥉 Bronze on the world stage!

Congratulations to Kate Haines, who recently claimed a bronze medal with the New Zealand Women's Four at the 2026 World Rowing Cup I in Seville, Spain.

The achievement came just days after Kate graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from Massey University before heading to Europe to represent New Zealand.

Kate shares, "I was so excited when we won the Bronze medal at World Cup 1. It’s my first medal at the Elite level, so it was a huge milestone for me. Very grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my rowing career to get me to this point!"

Congratulations, Kate, on graduating from Massey and earning your first elite international medal. What an incredible achievement!

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

The popular This Thinking Life webinar series hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences starts this month, offering a new line-up of short, accessible talks on the growing importance of human-focused skills in a rapidly changing world.

The free online series includes eight 30-minute webinars being held each Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm.

How to join the webinars? Scan this QR code on the scheduled days and we’ll let you into the webinar at 6pm.

Find out more: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/new-this-thinking-life-webinar-series-offers-viewers-bite-sized-learning-opportunity/

Heading to Fieldays 2026? Come and visit the Massey University team at the Mystery Creek Pavilion (Site PE51) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Science for Farmers site (Site E38) from 10–13 June.

Discover how science, innovation and research are helping shape the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

Our Massey experts will also be sharing their insights as panellists:

Wāhine Toa – Young Women Leaders Panel Discussion, Thursday
1pm – 2pm

Resilient Pastures and Climate Modelling for the Future, Friday 12pm – 12.30pm

Freshwater and Catchment Solutions, Friday 1pm – 1.30pm

Read more about what Massey will showcase: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/exploring-regenerative-science-at-2026-fieldays/.

We have received formal approval from the Chinese Government to establish a second Joint Education Institute (JEI) in China, marking a major milestone in the university’s transnational education strategy.

The new JEI will be established in partnership with Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU), a nationally recognised public university located in Shaanxi Province.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter says the approval, which makes Massey the first New Zealand university to be awarded a second Joint Education Institute by the Chinese Government, is significant recognition of the success and quality of Massey’s offshore delivery.

“This is a major achievement for our university and a testament to the dedication of our teams. It reinforces our position at the forefront of transnational education globally and highlights the strength of our international partnerships.”

The first student intake, up to 300 students, is scheduled to begin in September 2026, comprising:

100 students in Horticulture Production
100 students in Horticulture Management
100 students in Plant Science

Read more:

Massey University secures approval for second Joint Education Institute in China Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University announced today it has received formal approval from the Chinese Government to establish a second Joint Education Institute (JEI) in China, marking a major milestone in the university’s transnational education strategy.

Congratulations to our alumni, staff and former staff members recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List!

Among those honoured are Professor Emeritus Sir James Chapman, who has been named a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for services to literacy education, and alumnus Bryan Mogridge ONZM, who has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to children's health, governance and philanthropy.

Read more about this year’s Massey honourees:

Congratulations to Massey’s King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 recipients Alumni, staff and former staff from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026, including Professor Emeritus Sir James Chapman, who has been named a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for services to literacy educ...

A graduate of Massey’s Master of Museum Studies, TeMihinga Tuterangiwhiu is passionate about caring for and protecting cultural treasures.

She believes Museum Studies is about more than museums, it’s about protecting the stories, knowledge and cultural significance held within taonga and treasured objects.

Originally from Waikato, TeMihinga chose Massey University because it offered the flexibility she needed.

“Massey was the only university that offered long-distance study for Museum Studies. And it’s been such an awesome programme over the last two years,” she says.

Balancing study with life was not always easy.

“It was busy, busy and stressful. But I loved it. I really loved the support from my teachers and the wider Massey staff. I felt the aroha, the manaakitanga, even today. It’s been such a beautiful day.”

Whānau have been central to TeMihinga’s journey, and graduation day carries deep meaning for her. She shares, “I’m here representing my whānau, my iwi and hapū, Ngāti Hikairo from Kāwhia. I’m here for them, and for my kuia and kaumātua. This is for my elders and for taking knowledge back home as well.”

Asked about her highlight of the day, TeMihinga’s answer is joyful and simple.

“The flowers. I got given flowers, and they just make me so happy. They’re so beautiful,” she laughs.

TeMihinga didn’t take a traditional route into postgraduate study. Being homeschooled until she was 14 shaped her outlook. She encourages future students: “Honestly, just go for it. If you love what you’re doing, or you want to try something new, give it a go.”

After two demanding years of study, TeMihinga says she’s first going to rest her brain and take a break. After that, she plans to continue her work in museum collections, carrying forward her passion for preserving and protecting taonga.