Excellence in research for Aotearoa
Massey University works collaboratively to critically challenge and bring the best of our resources and skills to deliver solutions to complex problems.
Our unrivalled record of research excellence in subject areas vital to the country's society and economy dates back to the university's establishment and our long history with organisations.
The value of research
Research is critical to helping us all to understand the world in which we live – it is much more than what defines a university.
Universities produce graduates for the world of work. They are sites of rational critique in the context of public policy and social and economic debates. Most importantly, they produce graduates who will go on to create more cohesive, productive and tolerant communities.
In addition to teaching, universities exist as repositories and generators of knowledge. Like all universities, Massey continues to grow and evolve to respond to research needs. To maintain our excellence and integrity, it's important to respond more quickly and be adaptable and flexible so that we can continue to make a difference.
Rapid research responses
An example of our ability to respond quickly and be adaptable and flexible was our input into the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 technical advisory group.
Research at Massey
Research at Massey spans discovery, scholarship, the production of creative works and commercialisation.
Our research is distinguished by our focus on solving contemporary societal challenges, in addition to maintaining our commitment to fundamental knowledge discovery.
This dual focus, along with our unwavering responsibility to build a better New Zealand, differentiates us from other New Zealand universities.
Our research approach informs our connection with teaching and postgraduate supervision through the teaching-research nexus.
Commitments to research
We aim to raise both the quality and quantity of our research output and impact by:
- Developing and maintaining the high quality of our research and researchers.
- Being a leading institution in New Zealand for the recruitment, development and retention of researchers.
- Increasing research income and providing world-class research infrastructure.
- Having active relationships with key partners both nationally and globally to ensure mutual benefit and effective capacity and capability building.
- Developing, supporting and excelling in both the depth and breadth of our research.
- Leading effective knowledge transfer, engagement and entrepreneurial activities to realise social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.
Tiriti o Waitangi-led
We maintain our responsibility to demonstrate leadership in contemporary Aotearoa as we work to increasingly uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure it infuses and informs our research.
Part of being Tiriti o Waitangi-led is supporting, profiling and acknowledging Māori research and researchers as well as those working closely with Māori communities and research partners – this is one of our key commitments.
The work of our Māori scholars offers an incredibly significant contribution to both te ao Māori and te ao whānui more broadly. Those who have gone before us and their research accomplishments have paved the way for our current and future activities, and their contribution to the realisation of Māori potential in an enriched Aotearoa.
Our research strengths
Our research is changing and evolving from our traditional strengths to areas such as:
- veterinary science
- land and food-based research
- nursing
- public health
- finance
- social sciences
- creative arts and design.
Increasingly, we are partnering with others in our research projects. We currently have 28 research and specialist centres across the university that bring expertise and skills together, as well as partnering with other New Zealand universities and government bodies.
Measuring how well we're doing
Number 1 in NZ
Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Communication, Business Administration
In the world's top 100
Veterinary Science (14th), Ag & Forestry (49th), Development Studies (51 to 100)
5+ stars
Includes teaching, employability, online learning, innovation and inclusiveness measures
5th in the world
For SDG11 Sustainable cities & communities
Research, learning and teaching
Universities such as Massey play a critical role in society as civic institutions and the interdependence between research and teaching.
Our strong commitment to support and drive excellence in our learning and teaching is informed by research.
We contribute to the communities we serve through teaching – by building our students' capacities to participate in and lead these communities, so that Massey graduates continue to 'make a difference'.
Academic freedom
We uphold a culture where our students and staff are encouraged to exercise academic freedom. We believe that a university is a place where contentious ideas can be debated, tested and challenged. However, it is our duty of care to ensure equal access to the right to free speech. This includes providing an environment, spaces, opportunities and platforms where all voices can be heard.
Our Academic Freedom Policy covers students and all levels of professional and academic staff, both research and/or teaching, including:
- staff at an early stage of their career
- tutors and lecturers
- research officers
- senior lecturers
- associate professors and professors.
Academic Freedom Policy (PDF, 217 KB)
Information for Massey staff (Staff login required)
Growing with us
Massey offers students and staff not just a career pathway but a robust research system, with all the support that comes with that and the university as a whole. From postgraduate qualifications to research to careers within the university, the opportunities to grow with us in the research space are endless.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students are diverse and attracted to Massey to achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. Our qualifications are research-led, informed by the best local and global experience and have international standing.
Learn about our researcher support and development
Extending knowledge through partnership
We're committed to extending knowledge for its own sake and in partnership with others for the benefit of New Zealand by:
- strategically investing in areas of excellence
- driving accountability for research activities where underperformance is actively addressed
- clarifying and improving our internal systems, structures and processes to ensure we are 'good to do business with' as research collaborators and partners
- maximise the commercial benefit of intellectual property derived from research.
We're at the heart of New Zealand communities, informing the way the country operates across the multiple sectors we touch on.
Our ambition is to deliver world-leading research, conducted in partnership with industries and the communities we serve.
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