Enrolment figures up at Victoria University

Monday, 10 February 2025

Victoria University of Wellington has seen a growth in student numbers this year with high occupancy rates at its halls of residence, and a new accommodation site added this year.

Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington says it has seen growth in student numbers across the board, including international and postgraduate students.

New residents in student halls moved in on Sunday, with a total occupancy of 96% as of last Monday.

The university had increased its halls this year with the addition of 222 Willis St after thousands applied for the university’s 13 halls of residence last year.

Catered occupancy was at 98%, independent living at 90%, and 222 Willis St at 79% (with break-even at 61%).

On Monday, in the first council meeting of the year, vice-chancellor Nic Smith said he was pleased to announce the growth in numbers looking “very strong for 2025”.

It represented a rebound from financial and staff cut challenges in 2023, he said, and was credit to those who streamlined the process and rebuilt connections with Wellington and the region.

The university council meeting on Monday was the first this year.

The growth in accommodation numbers could “give us confidence in the ongoing future”.

But Smith also highlighted his “profound disappointment” in the Government’s decision last year to cut research funding for the humanities and social sciences, especially given they were subjects “front and centre” at the university.

Victoria University’s new student accommodation at 222 Willis St.

In December, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins announced the Government had updated the Marsden Fund to focus on core scientific research that “helps lift our economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose”.

In line with the Government’s mandate to rebuild the economy, it was focused on a system that supported growth, Collins said.

The funding would continue to support blue skies research but about 50% would go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits.

It was John Allen’s last council meeting as chancellor after his appointment to the role of Chief Ombudsman. (File photo)

At a time where society was travelling at an “enormous speed across an intellectual landscape”, the challenge was how science and technology was balanced with things like considerations of individual and community’s needs, social cohesion and governance – understood through the humanities, Smith said.

“As the vice-chancellor of this university, I find it profoundly disappointing that we are seeking to separate or prioritise particular areas of knowledge that are in the current political rhetoric; areas of technology – areas that can be commercialised quickly without acknowledging that they have to sit in a contextual understanding,” he said.

“Otherwise we are at risk of doing more harm than good.”

Meanwhile, the financial report to December 31, 2024, showed its performance met forecasts, ending with a small surplus of $5 million or $13.8m including the university’s foundation.

“Financial sustainability is a priority for 2025, given the possibility of cuts in government funding in 2026,” Smith said.

It was Chancellor John Allen’s last meeting followed by his appointment by Parliament to the role of Chief Ombudsman. Alan Judge was elected as Chancellor from February 11 to December 31 and Maryan Street to remain as Pro-Chancellor.

Allen said the “extraordinary growth” in student numbers gave him confidence in the future of the institution.