School of Veterinary Science , Tāwharau Ora

Massey ranks highly in the top vet schools in the world and is internationally accredited. Shape a bright future for animal health, wellbeing and sustainable production.

Overview

The School of Veterinary Science – Tāwharau Ora advances knowledge in animal health and welfare, biosecurity, conservation, and sustainable productivity.

We are a world leader in our field, working with governments, other universities, international and national organisations, and companies to improve animal health, welfare and production, and human health.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – The Treaty of Waitangi at Massey

Tāwharau Ora, the te reo Māori name gifted to the School, encapsulates our aim to be a place of wellbeing, healing and recovery for people and animals. Tāwharau can be translated as shelter or haven, and the meanings of Ora include health, safe, recover and heal.

These concepts guide our course planning and research, how we interact with each other, and staff and students' responsibilities towards the animals we take into our care.

In 2023, the New Zealand Veterinary Association - Te Pae Kīrehe, the Veterinary Council of New Zealand - Te Kaunihera Rata Kararehe o Aotearoa and the School issued the following collective statement on inclusivity in the veterinary profession:

Honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, together we will enable an inclusive, culturally safe veterinary profession representative of Aotearoa New Zealand, in which all members thrive and feel supported and valued for who they are.

Study with us

Join a world-class veterinary programme. Get hands-on experience in specialist vet clinics for cats and dogs, farm animals, horses and wildlife.

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Study veterinary science

Study at Massey to get hands-on experience in specialist vet clinics for cats and dogs, farm animals, horses and wild birds. Enrol today.

Person in overalls feeding a horse Person in overalls feeding a horse Person in overalls feeding a horse Person in overalls feeding a horse

Our mission, purpose and values

Mission – Whāinga

Advancing animal and human wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, through veterinary education and research for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

Purpose – Kaupapa

To promote an environment that supports the education and development of our people to become world class veterinary professionals, educators, researchers and global citizens.

Vision – Wawata

To be world-renowned as the Veterinary School that everyone wants to be part of.

Values – Uara

Community – whānau: We value our communities and whānau.
Inclusion – mahi tahi: We embrace inclusion and encourage participation from all members of our community.
Integrity – pono: We are authentic and professional in all that we do.
Respect – aroha: We respect each other and value differing perspectives.
Innovation and excellence – auaha, hirana: We continually challenge ourselves to grow as we strive to be the best that we can be as individuals and as a community.
Wellbeing – Hauora: We prioritise the wellbeing of animals, our people and the environment.

Who we are

Our people make us who we are. Meet some of the senior leaders in the School of Veterinary Science.

Professor Jenny Weston

Professor Jenny Weston

Associate Dean Academic

Jenny Weston is a Massey BVSc graduate (1994) who's worked in the Veterinary School since 2002. Jenny's clinical background is predominantly with dairy cattle and her research interests include:

  • infectious diseases of cattle
  • wellbeing and career experiences of veterinarians.
Professor Wendi Roe

Professor Wendi Roe

Deputy Head of School of Veterinary Science

Wendi Roe graduated from Massey Vet School in 1990 and spent 10 years in practice in NZ and the UK before returning to Massey to complete her residency in pathology. She joined the Massey faculty in 2003. Her research focuses on marine mammals, particularly the impacts of infectious diseases.

Our research

The School of Veterinary Science conducts research across a large number of species in a wide range of disciplines. Our work contributes to advances in:

  • animal care and welfare
  • biosecurity
  • primary industries vital to the New Zealand economy
  • public health.

Research teams

Examples of how our academics create and share new knowledge.

mEpiLab

Professor David Hayman and Professor Jackie Benschop

Massey's Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory (mEpiLab) focuses on the prevention and control of infectious diseases. We develop and apply new techniques to inform decision-making and improve the health of all New Zealanders.

mEpiLab

Equine Research Centre

A unique collaboration between veterinarians, animal scientists and sport scientists to address key industry research questions. We perform scientific research and promote education to optimise the health and welfare of horses, and the productivity of the equine industry.

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One Health Aotearoa

Professor David Murdoch (Otago University) and Distinguished Professor Nigel French (Massey)

Massey veterinary scientists are part of One Health Aotearoa. An alliance of New Zealand’s leading infectious diseases researchers, this group works together on important health hazards in New Zealand.

One Health Aotearoa

Research centres

Our research centres seek innovative solutions to contemporary issues.

EpiCentre

EpiCentre is the largest veterinary epidemiology training and research centre in Australasia, and a leading group in the world. Our expertise includes the control of disease in animal populations, how diseases transmit from animals to humans, and hazards in food of animal origin.

Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre

Ngaio Beausoleil and Craig Johnson

The centre focuses on animal welfare in a range of human-animal interactions. This includes the use of animals in research, teaching, testing, on farms, in the home, for sport, recreation and entertainment, in service roles, zoos and the wild.

Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre

Wildbase Research Centre

Research at Wildbase promotes collaborative investigation of wildlife in support of the welfare and conservation of New Zealand native fauna. Our research expertise covers a wide range of wildlife issues.

Partnerships

The School of Veterinary Science works with government and research partners.

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Our expert staff diagnose and treat many animal species on our Manawatū campus. We're open to the public and offer hands-on experience for veterinary students.

Student and dog

Companion Animal Hospital

From cats and dogs to birds and reptiles, the hospital cares for sick and injured pets of all shapes and sizes. This includes:

  • health checks
  • spays and neuterings
  • vaccinations.

Equine Veterinary Clinic

The clinic offers a broad range of medical and surgical expertise. It includes:

  • patient boxes and paddocks
  • surgery
  • separate isolation unit.

Students can assist with or observe procedures.

Location: Manawatū campus

Farm Services Clinic

Expert care for livestock and lifestyle animals such as alpacas, goats and poultry. Our new hospital includes:

  • patient boxes and yards
  • surgery
  • separate farm animal isolation unit.

Students assist with or observe procedures.

Wildbase Hospital

A specialist hospital for wildlife, with equipment and facilities including:

  • 5 patient wards to separate prey from predatory species
  • intensive care and isolation wards
  • surgery suite
  • endoscopes
  • portable radiographic unit.

Students can assist with or observe procedures.

Location: Manawatū campus

Meet our graduates

“The main thing I got out of the MVM was confidence! This has helped me realise how much I have to offer in relation to experience, knowledge and teaching our new graduates in practice.”
Nicky Hooper

Master of Veterinary Medicine

“Massey University was the obvious choice. My supervisory team is made up of top representatives in their field. We meet regularly and I feel like I can always approach them for a chat.”
Kat Littlewood

PhD (Animal Science)

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Veterinary Science

The Veterinary School is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as 21st in the world for veterinary science, the highest ranked school in the southern hemisphere.

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ShanghaiRanking - veterinary science

Massey ranks among the top 75 in the world for veterinary science — and in the top 5 in Australasia — in ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

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Australasian Veterinary Board Council (AVBC)

Accredited. Last evaluation: 2021. Next evaluation: 2028.

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American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Massey’s BVSc is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education with minor deficiencies; graduates can work in North America. Last evaluation: 2021. Next evaluation: 2028.

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Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)

Accredited. Last evaluation: 2021. Next evaluation: 2028.

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Work with us

The School of Veterinary Science is based in Palmerston North, a compact and family-friendly city in the Manawatū region of New Zealand.

We are always keen to hear from experienced applicants. Roles can range from teaching and research positions to veterinary nurses for our state-of-the-art clinics and hospitals.

Join our veterinary team

Massey Careers

Live and work in Manawatū

The School partners with veterinary practices around New Zealand to provide externship placements for BVSc students in their final year.

Preliminary design for the school's new complex, by CCM Architects

Rebuild of the School of Veterinary Science

Jan 2022

Despite COVID-19 delays, work on the School's new complex is progressing with new facilities opening in 2022. The $160million upgrade will provide state-of-the-art teaching, research and clinical facilities that are environmentally sustainable and reflect New Zealand’s unique culture and heritage. The 10-year building programme is due to be completed in 2025.

As New Zealand’s only Veterinary School, the new facilities are also required to maintain accreditation status with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

Our new Farm Animal Hospital and Student Learning Complex are due to be in use in the first semester of 2022. This includes a dynamic learning space for students to practice and perfect clinical skills on specially designed mannequins and models before moving on to live animals.

Head of School Professor Jon Huxley says the facilities will be cutting-edge. “Although the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of flexible learning environments, hands-on learning experiences and interactions with the public through our teaching hospitals remain vital to developing our veterinary students' skills to work in New Zealand and internationally.”

Research, teaching and student facilities

Ground work for stage three begins April 2022. A new two-storey building will replace the 1960s Veterinary Tower, including:

  • research laboratories and facilities for the infectious diseases, pathobiology, and animal welfare science and bioethics research groups
  • multipurpose teaching laboratory
  • staff offices
  • student hub.

Cultural design work with mana whenua

Massey is working with Rangitāne, as mana whenua, on cultural designs to be incorporated in the new facilities.

Rangitāne artist and Tohunga Whakairo Warren Warbrick, who has worked with Massey on other projects, will provide guidance and expertise.

Contact the School of Veterinary Science

The school is at the heart of Massey’s campus in Palmerston North, within easy walking distance of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and other facilities.

School of Veterinary Science – Manawatū campus

Location

Use our Manawatū campus maps or find us on Google Maps.

Looking for a staff member? Visit our staff directory or use Expertise search.