Lincoln University announces plan to cut 40 jobs

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Lincoln University staff are stunned by a proposal to cut 40 jobs, a union delegate says.

Staff were told at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon the plan was necessary to manage the university’s financial viability in 2026 and 2027, Te Hautū Kahurangi Tertiary Education Union (TEU) delegate Professor Cor Vink said.

The specialist university, which focuses on land-based sectors, had 5484 enrolled students in 2024 and currently employs about 700 staff.

“Any talk of job loss is hugely upsetting for staff, for those who may lose their positions and those who will have to carry additional workload after change is made,” Vink said.

“With 40 [full-time equivalent roles] going we’re facing the potential loss of world class academics and the staff that support them and our students.”

He said the university’s senior management team would consider applications for voluntary redundancy or early retirement from any staff member.

A memo to staff from vice chancellor Grant Edwards about the process was published on the internal website following the meeting.

It said criteria for approval of applications included the impact on operational requirements, staff to student ratios, relevance of teaching and learning to the university’s strategic direction, views of department deans or directors.

The deadline for applications was April 24 and would take effect on June 5. This would be followed by a formal change management process which “may result in compulsory redundancies”.

Vink said staff expressed concern about the effect of the process on their workload at the meeting.

Edwards said the global and New Zealand higher education landscape had “shifted significantly over the past 18 months”.

“There will be limited growth in funding for domestic students and external research funding is constrained and likely to tighten further.

“International student recruitment is highly competitive, and Lincoln University has fallen short of the required growth targets in this area.”

Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) guidance to the sector on funding allocations for 2027 published on March 16 warned of a “challenging fiscal environment”.

“We expect demand to remain strong and available funding to be unlikely to match it. Trade-offs will be required and most providers will see reduced investment.”

TEC investment would focus on “provision that delivers good outcomes for learners, and the skills and qualifications needed for an educated, innovative and prosperous New Zealand”.

“Providers should reprioritise their existing funding, where relevant, to respond to our priorities.”

Voluntary redundancies and early retirement packages are being offered as part of the proposal.

TEU national president Māori Garrick Cooper said the Lincoln proposal was disappointing.

“Quality public education relies on a commitment from our Government. These are the people that teach our future scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, artists; that support our students to learn.”

Lincoln University’s media team was not able to respond on Wednesday due to ongoing staff meetings, a spokesperson said.