Timeline of modern Massey
2010
Distance education anniversary
Massey marked its 50th anniversary as a provider of distance education.
New Library extension
A new extension to the Library building on the Auckland campus is opened in May.
2011
School of Design 125th
In Wellington, the School of Design celebrated its 125th anniversary.
National Centre for teaching and Learning
The National Centre for Teaching and Learning is launched in May.
2012
Student amenities centre
The new student amenities centre is opened on the Auckland campus in March.
Building refurbishment
Work began on the refurbishing and earthquake strengthening of the Refectory and the Sir Geoffrey Peren Building.
College of Health proposed
A proposal to establish a College of Health was approved by the University Council.
Te Ara Hihiko
The new building of the College of Creative Arts, Te Ara Hihiko, is opened on the Wellington campus on 22 June.
2013
Institute of Education formally opened
The Institute came into being on 1 January 2013 and is the successor to the College of Education which existed until the end of 2012. On the Manawatū campus, Education staff moved to the Turitea site as the Hokowhitu site was being earmarked for other purposes.
College of Health
The College of Health came into being.
First MOOC
Massey University launches its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Emergency Management, Agriculture and Indigenous Cultures through Open2Study.
2014
Massey 50th anniversary
Massey University celebrates 50 years of being an autonomous university and the 21 year existence of the Auckland campus.
2015
Te Ohanga
The new Te Ohanga accommodation village opens on the Auckland campus.
School of Music and Creative Media Production
The new School of Music and Creative Media Production was launched in October.
Sir Geoffrey Peren Building
Seismic strengthening and renovation of Massey’s oldest building, the 83-year-old Sir Geoffrey Peren Building, is completed in November.
2016
Vice-Chancellor retires
Hon. Steve Maharey retires from his position as the Vice-Chancellor.
2017
New Vice-Chancellor appointed
Professor Jan Thomas becomes the new Vice-Chancellor of Massey University.
Wildbase Hospital
A new building for Wildbase Hospital, New Zealand’s only dedicated wildlife hospital, is opened in Palmerston North.
Ōtehā Rohe
The university sold the Ōtehā Rohe site on the Auckland campus towards the end of the year.
2018
Student roll
By 2018 the total student roll stood at 30,296, comprising 5,859 internal/block mode students at Manawatū (Palmerston North), 7,192 at Auckland and 3,028 at Wellington, as well as 14,217 distance students.
2019
Refectory Building
Restoration of the Refectory Building commenced on the Manawatū campus.
Innovation Complex
Enabling works started for the new Innovation Complex on the Auckland campus in June.
New home for College of Health
In October, the Sir Neil Waters extension building is opened as the new home for the College of Health on the Auckland campus.
New Aviation Centre
The new Aviation Centre building is opened in Palmerston North in October.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March, Alert Level 4 lockdown results in the university switching temporarily to a purely online mode of teaching. The pandemic eventually led to a blended mode of online and in-person teaching being adopted as the normal way of teaching and learning.
Food Pilot Plant opened
The Food Pilot Plant/Te Ohu Rangahau Kai is opened on the Manawatū campus.
Massey Learning Centre launched in China
A Massey Learning Centre at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics is launched in December.
2021
Second Learning Centre opened
In March, another Massey Learning Centre is launched in the People's Republic of China, at Hainan University.
New marae opened
The new Te Rau Karamu Marae on the Wellington campus is opened in March.
Refurbished Refectory blessed
The newly refurbished Refectory building on the Manawatū campus is blessed. Refurbishment work began in 2020.
2022
Veterinary Student Learning Complex completed
The Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science Student Learning Complex is completed.
Farm Animal Hospital opens
Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science’s Farm Animal Hospital officially opens.
Kaiārahi Tiriti Project strengthening Te Tiriti practice
Massey University launches the Kaiārahi Tiriti Project, with 45 staff supporting Te Tiriti-based initiatives across academic and professional areas. The project strengthens the integration of Te Tiriti into teaching, research, and staff development.
2023
Innovation Complex opens in Auckland
The Innovation Complex opens on the Auckland Ōtehā campus.
Massey tops national completion rates
For the first time, Massey University achieves the highest completion rates for on-campus learners among New Zealand universities.
National Academy of Screen Arts established
The National Academy of Screen Arts is established on the Wellington Pukeahu campus.
Supporting takatāpui and rainbow communities
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University launches a new platform to strengthen connections with its takatāpui and rainbow communities, fostering an inclusive and welcoming space for staff and students.
Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts wins second place in Red Dot Asia-Pacific Awards
Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts is awarded second place in the 2023 Red Dot Design Awards for the Asia and Pacific regions, recognising excellence in design on a global stage.
2024
New Te Tiriti Leadership Group formed
A new taumata or leadership group, Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i Te Tiriti o Waitangi leadership group is established to provide the university with a high level of Te Tiriti expertise and Te Ao Māori leadership for its Te Tiriti o Waitangi kaupapa and mission.
New collaboration with PSB Academy, Singapore
Massey University signs an Enhanced Collaboration Agreement with PSB Academy, Singapore. A first for New Zealand universities, the agreement enables students in Singapore and the region to study selected Massey programmes at PSB Academy. Plans are underway for Massey to work towards registering a branch campus in Singapore.
Turitea Historic Area listed as heritage site
The Turitea Historic Area on the Manawatū campus is placed on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero. The area includes the Refectory, Sir Geoffrey Peren Building, McHardy Hall, the Old Registry, Tiritea House, Business Studies Central, Business Studies West, and the Student Centre.
Aerial view of the area from the north west, November 1930
Gold in THE Online Learning Rankings
Massey University secures a Gold rating in the 2024 Times Higher Education Online Learning Rankings – the highest honour available.
2025
First Mātauranga Toi Māori Major launched
Massey University introduces the Mātauranga Toi Māori major – a first for Aotearoa's tertiary sector. Offered on the Wellington Pukeahu campus, the major sits within the creative disciplines of design, fine arts, screen arts, and commercial music.
LATU celebrates 30 years
The Large Animal Teaching Unit (LATU) celebrates 30 years of service to students, animals and the veterinary industry.
Vice-Chancellor announces departure
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas announces her intention to step down in a year’s time.
Massey co-hosting global open education conference
Massey University will co-host the 30th International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) World Conference, scheduled to be held in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
Related content
