New Zealand
New Zealand is a Pacific island nation with a population of approximately 5 million. Despite its colonial history, New Zealand's unique culture is deeply influenced by the local Māori people, as evident in the traditional "Haka" war dance performed at the beginning of rugby matches.
As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with the United Kingdom, which is evident in the fact that English is not only the official language of New Zealand but also the standard language used in its universities.
New Zealand enjoys a mild climate, allowing agriculture to flourish in the country for centuries. In fact, New Zealand has six times more sheep than people. The country also boasts several major cities, including Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.
Celebrities hailing from New Zealand include pop singer Lorde and actor Karl Urban. Well-known as the filming location of the renowned "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the source of inspiration for many sketches of the New Zealand comedy duo "Flight of the Conchords," New Zealand boasts a vibrant cultural scene.
Here are the top 4 universities in New Zealand, as ranked by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
- University of Auckland
Founded in 1883, the University of Auckland, with multiple campuses, is not only the largest but also one of the most prestigious universities in New Zealand. Adorning the top of its coat of arms are three endearing kiwis, the national bird of New Zealand, which cannot fly.
The University of Auckland is a globally-oriented institution, with Auckland City hosting an international airport, and over a quarter of its students coming from countries outside New Zealand. Since 2016, the university has required students to meet academic English language requirements prior to pursuing undergraduate programs.
Dr. Siouxsie Wiles and her team at the University of Auckland have discovered a unique approach to combat antibiotic resistance by extracting genes from fireflies and inserting them into microorganisms, enabling the determination of when the microorganisms are killed when the light is extinguished.
Notable alumni of the University of Auckland include HSBC Chairman David Li, New Zealand's 37th Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Philippa Boyens.
- University of Otago
With expansive campuses adorned with magnificent Scottish-style architecture, the University of Otago, founded in 1869 on the southeast coast of the South Island, is New Zealand's oldest university and rightly recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.
Fostering a research-led learning environment, the University of Otago is renowned for its excellence in health sciences, offering both undergraduate and doctoral programs. In addition to the student city of Dunedin, the university has health science research institutes in Christchurch and Wellington.
The university has established exchange partnerships with over 90 universities worldwide, where international students are warmly welcomed. Since 1904, the University of Otago has awarded Rhodes Scholarships to a select group of elite New Zealand graduates.
Otago students are known for their lively social events, such as the annual Undie500 car rally and the Robe Day parade, although recent years have seen these events tempered due to concerns over behavior.
Medical researcher Muriel Bell, mountaineer Christine Jensen Burke, and astrophysicist Mazlan Othman are among the university's distinguished alumni.
- Auckland University of Technology
Established on January 1, 2000, when the Auckland Institute of Technology was officially upgraded to a national comprehensive university, the Auckland University of Technology boasts three campuses, with the central campus being the largest in downtown Auckland. The other two campuses, the North Shore Campus and the South Campus, are connected by shuttle buses.
The student association of the Auckland University of Technology publishes a biweekly student magazine called "Debate," run by a full-time editor and a team of active contributors. The magazine features news, commentary, cartoons, feature articles, and columns.
The student association also manages over 40 affiliated clubs, regularly organizing concerts, comedy performances, DJ sets, parties, festivals, and other events.
- University of Canterbury
Located in the heart of Christchurch, the University of Canterbury faced significant challenges after the devastating 2011 earthquake. Since then, special reconstruction plans have been implemented to minimize future damage in similar disasters.
Since 2013, the university has established an International College dedicated to helping students adapt to the New Zealand learning environment. The International College also provides English language instruction, academic skill development, and foundation studies certificates.
The university was the first in New Zealand to establish an Arts Academy, which continues to thrive today. The highly competitive four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers campus galleries, workshops, and other teaching facilities.
Notable alumni of the University of Canterbury include 2013 Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, Olympic rowing gold medalist Nathan Cohen, and most notably, Ernest Rutherford, who devised the conventional model of the atom and is hailed as the "Father of Nuclear Physics."
