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- International collaborations and impact
- Conservation support for endangered birds
- Native tree plantings
- Native bush restoration
- Successful BioBlitz event
- Tackling litter to support wildlife
- Sustainable agriculture
- Movie screening at Pukeahu of A Life on Our Planet
- Progress in genetic research on kauri dieback
- A new alpine cave wētā discovered
- Research to save endangered birds
- Nature photography competition
- Scholarship to protect native kauri trees
- Kānuka trees increase native birds
- Massey advances next-gen environmental monitoring
- Planting event on Ōtehā Auckland campus
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International collaborations and impact
Over half, 56%, of Massey University’s 330 SDG15 publications between 2020 and 2024 resulted from international collaborations (Scopus database extracted using SciVal in October 2025).
Our number of SDG15 publications has increased since 2020, with 54 publications in 2020, increasing to 69 in 2021 and in 2022, increasing further to 71 in 2023 and dropping slightly to 67 in 2024.
The FWCI of Massey’s SDG15 publications is 2.61, which is higher than the NZ average FWCI of 2.28, relative to the global average (of 1.00).
The publications were predominantly in the areas of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, and Environmental Science, with a signification emphasis on research related to endangered species, biodiversity, animal welfare and conservation management.
Conservation support for endangered birds
Massey’s Wildbase remains dedicated to supporting several endangered bird conservation initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand and celebrated 21 years of caring for wildlife in 2024. This support includes the:
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme – IUCN red list status: Critically endangered.
- Shore Plover Recovery Programme – IUCN red list status: Endangered.
- Operation Nest Egg (focusing on kiwi chicks) – IUCN red list status: Vulnerable.
Wildbase's mission is to provide veterinary and scientific services in support of New Zealand conservation. These services include monitoring and protecting the health and welfare of our most endangered species, including all IUCN Red Listed species in New Zealand.
Bird, reptile and bat species treated at the Wildbase Hospital include the following species, many of which are on the IUCN red list.
Nationally critical birds
Nationally critical birds
Tūturuatu (shore plover), kākāpō, matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bitterns), Salvin’s and Antipodean albatross, orange fronted kakariki and kotuku (white herons).
Nationally endangered birds
Nationally endangered birds
Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins), rowi (Okarito brown kiwi), kea and a masked booby.
Nationally endangered reptiles
Nationally endangered reptiles
Otago skinks, rough geckos, grand skinks and internationally endangered green sea turtles.
Nationally vulnerable reptiles
Nationally vulnerable reptiles
Starred geckos, Lewis Pass geckos, scree skinks and the internationally vulnerable olive Ridley sea turtles.
Nationally critical bats
Nationally critical bats
Long-tail bats.
Nationally vulnerable bats
Nationally vulnerable bats
Short-tail bats.
Massey researchers helped with the first Chatham Island black robin translocation in 20 years. The birds are returning from the brink of extinction through ongoing conservation work.
Locally extinct Toutouwai, North Island robins, were also reintroduced to the Turitea Reserve, bordering the Manawatū campus. This achievement was thanks to a collective community effort, including several Massey University researchers.
Wildbase Strategy Policy (PDF, 699 KB)
Native tree plantings
Recently, a Plant a Native, Save a Native event run by the Sustainability Office and the Massey University Student Association planted 500 native trees on campus.
Native plants also usually form part of the landscaping around new buildings.
- Planting native kowhai trees outside the new vet building marked the arrival of Matariki, the Māori new year. Kowhai trees are an important seasonal nectar food source for native birds such as tūī, korimako, kākā, and kererū.
- The landscaping of the new marae with native species is part of the outdoor learning space.
Additionally, in 2024, Massey staff and students volunteered at Wellington Zoo, clearing noxious weeds to support native plantings. Massey has a strong partnership with the zoo, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021, and wanted to reciprocate the manaaki shown to our students through free student days.
Native bush restoration
Massey University has partnered with the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network to support native bush restoration near the Ōtehā Auckland campus. A dedicated Auckland student has been leading a group of volunteers, working alongside Predator Free New Zealand to trap rats, weasels and stoats, helping to protect local native bird species.
Successful BioBlitz event
In March 2023, more than 200 community members participated in our first BioBlitz event held at Fernhill Escarpment, a significant ecological bush area adjacent to the Ōtehā Auckland campus. Participants explored the area, which is home to at least 158 species, contributing to our knowledge of local biodiversity.
The biodiversity-focused day featured guided walks to identify plant and animal species, along with informative talks on key conservation issues led by experts in the field.
Read more about the BioBlitz event
Tackling litter to support wildlife
Massey staff and students took part in several litter picking events in 2025 to clean up the environment and support wildlife habitats, both on campus and in the wider community.
Highlights included an on-campus clean-up led by the Estates team at the Wellington campus and a beach clean-up organised by the Green Impact Team Te Paepoto Seedlings in Manawatū. During the campus event, collected waste was sorted for recycling, helping reduce landfill contributions.
Sustainable agriculture
Whenua Haumanu field day
Whenua Haumanu field day
Strong local and national interest in regenerative farming saw close to 200 people attend an on-farm field day in November 2023 showcasing Massey’s Whenua Haumanu programme. It is the largest pastoral agriculture research programme in Aotearoa. The event focused on sustainable farming practices and provided insights into early project results, research methods and practical farm applications.
Plantain research
Plantain research
Recent research by Massey University, part of the DairyNZ-led Plantain programme, found that feeding plantain to cows can reduce nitrogen leaching by 20% to 60%. This promising discovery highlights the potential for sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and agriculture.
Environmental outcomes event hosted at Fieldays
Environmental outcomes event hosted at Fieldays
Massey once again partnered with Fieldays, including hosting an In Conversation event on improving environmental outcomes on farming.
The university has had a site at the iconic agricultural event for nearly 50 years and has been a partner since 2018.
Pastoral farming study focuses on regenerative farming
Pastoral farming study focuses on regenerative farming
The Whenua Haumanu programme led by Massey, with research partners AgResearch, Lincoln University and Dairy Trust Taranaki, is the most comprehensive study of pastoral farming systems ever undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand. It focuses on regenerative farming practices.
Movie screening at Pukeahu of A Life on Our Planet
A special screening of David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet was held at the Wellington campus cinema in July 2025, open to all staff and students. The documentary highlights the devastating impact humans have had on the environment and explores the actions we can take to reverse the damage.
To enhance the experience, guests enjoyed free, packaging-free vegan lollies during the screening.
Progress in genetic research on kauri dieback
Massey researchers led a team of scientists who, in 2022, have constructed a complete genome sequence of the pathogen that causes kauri dieback.
Identifying key genes that cause the disease is an important tool in the battle against kauri dieback.
A new alpine cave wētā discovered
Massey researchers have identified 6 new species and 3 new subspecies of alpine cave wētā from the southern regions of the South Island. The wētā survive in landscapes covered by snow for more than 6 months a year.
Research to save endangered birds
New research aims to find safe and effective drugs for treating coccidiosis, a common parasitic disease that significantly threatens captive-reared kiwi.
Massey is also part of a collaborative research initiative that developed a test to identify a gyrovirus responsible for a deadly respiratory illness in critically endangered hoiho penguin chicks. These efforts aim to enhance the health and survival of these vulnerable species.
Nature photography competition
The Sustainability, Policy, and Communications team has hosted an annual nature-themed photography competition since 2023, open to all staff and students. The competition aims to draw attention to native wildlife, especially those found on our campuses.
The winner of the 2025 staff category was David Wiltshire for his photo, A Life in the Slow Lane, taken on the Manawatū campus.
Scholarship to protect native kauri trees
A Massey student was awarded a Tiakina Kauri scholarship in 2023 through a partnership with the Department of Conservation. The research focuses on protecting New Zealand’s native kauri trees from extinction.
Kānuka trees increase native birds
A 2024 master’s project has shown that planting kānuka trees on a hill country farm significantly increases the number of native birds. This highlights the important biodiversity benefits of integrating native trees into farming landscapes.
Massey advances next-gen environmental monitoring
In 2024, funding was awarded for 2 globally important research projects aimed at improving our understanding of the planet.
- A feasibility study to develop next-generation environmental monitoring tools using satellite data. These tools will help detect pollution and contaminants, track agricultural conditions and assess drought and flooding impacts.
- A mātauranga Māori–based project that combines satellite data on water temperatures, sea-level rise and coastal erosion with local community knowledge.
Planting event on Ōtehā Auckland campus
The Business Services Sustainability Squad and Te Tumu Whakatipu Green Impact teams teamed up in 2025 to renovate old planter boxes on the Auckland campus.
They recently hosted a spring planting event, refreshing the campus greenery and welcoming new members to join the sustainability effort.
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