6 Dec 2022

'Huge distress': Post-grads students feel impact of AUT staff cuts

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 6 December 2022

Post-graduate students are petitioning the Auckland University of Technology over academic staff cuts - saying it's hugely disruptive and will impact New Zealand's research sector.

AUT planned to cut 170 academic positions - those affected had till last Thursday to take voluntary redundancy or face a compulsory layoff.

The petition states the criteria for selecting which staff would go was based on unjust and flawed performance criteria - something backed by the Tertiary Education Union which is taking legal action against AUT on similar grounds.

Susie talks to TEU organiser Jill Jones, and two PhD students: Sarah, and Melanie Welfare, who have both signed the petition requesting AUT reinstate staff.

AUT South Campus

AUT South Campus Photo: Supplied