Massey University numbers rising but union says sites are ‘ghost towns

Domestic Enrollment Trends and Remote Learning

Official figures from Massey University show that the number of domestic students studying on-campus is increasing after having halved over the past 10 years. In 2025, the university recorded 12,345 equivalent full-time domestic students. This total is divided between 4,770 students studying on-campus and 7,575 students studying remotely.

The number of students opting for remote study is among the highest on record, representing nearly 2,000 more students than were studying remotely in 2016. While the current on-campus enrollment shows an upward trend, it follows a period of steady decline from a peak of 9,705 on-campus students in 2016.

International student enrollment also contributed to the university’s total student body. Massey reported 4,040 full-time equivalent international students, resulting in a total of 16,385 equivalent full-time students (EFTS) last year. While this figure is slightly higher than the totals from the previous two years, it remains approximately 2,500 fewer than the enrollment levels seen prior to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

Union Concerns Over Campus Vitality

Despite the documented rise in on-campus domestic numbers, staff representatives have raised concerns regarding the actual atmosphere at physical university sites. Te Awatea Ward, the co-chair of the Tertiary Education Union Massey branch, stated that staff are acutely aware of how empty the campuses appear.

This year staff have got very excited from the orientation day and seeing more students on campus… that lasts for about two or three days, and then it goes back to a ghost town.

Te Awatea Ward, Tertiary Education Union Massey branch co-chair

Ward specifically noted that there has been significant concern regarding the lack of activity at the Albany campus. The union leader suggested that the university’s strategic emphasis on online courses may be contributing to the lack of physical presence. Ward noted a contrast between Massey and Canterbury University, where domestic enrollments were reported to be well up.

If you want students on campus, you have to provide courses on campus….

Te Awatea Ward, Tertiary Education Union Massey branch co-chair

Campus Distribution and Infrastructure Reductions

The university’s annual report provides a breakdown of how students are distributed across its primary locations. Last year, the Albany and Palmerston North campuses each hosted nearly 2,900 full-time equivalent students. The Wellington campus reported 1,997 full-time equivalent students.

The university’s physical footprint has also undergone significant changes. According to the annual report, Massey has reduced its floor space by 23% since 2023. This reduction in physical infrastructure occurred during a year in which the university recorded a financial surplus.