Update on the proposal for the faculties of Business & Economics, and Law

Following a wide-ranging engagement process, the University has made the decision to pause the proposal to combine the faculties of Business & Economics, and Law. Instead, the University will progress a set of collaborative faculty initiatives that reflect the extensive feedback received and respond to the strategic challenges that prompted the original proposal.

This revised approach – co-developed by the Dean of Business & Economics and the Acting Dean of Law – is designed to support greater collaboration and innovation, while preserving the distinct identity and academic independence of each faculty.

While this approach will not fully address the strategic imperatives identified in the original proposal, it represents a constructive and considered response to ongoing sector-wide pressures, including:

• Changing graduate expectations: Law and business professionals increasingly need interdisciplinary thinking and adaptability to navigate complex societal and technological change.
• Rapid technological disruption: AI, automation, and emerging technologies are reshaping education and the professions – from how we teach to how law and business are practised.
• Tightening public funding: From 2026, government funding in New Zealand will prioritise alignment with national economic goals, stakeholder needs, and financial performance.
• Shifting professional landscapes: Both law and business face global trends of automation and role transformation, reinforcing the need for innovation and lifelong learning. Success in both sectors increasingly depends on graduates’ ability to adapt, upskill continuously, and contribute meaningfully in rapidly evolving global contexts.

Key collaborative initiatives being explored across Business & Economics, and Law include:

• Initiation of a working group to explore the establishment of a joint cross-faculty graduate school (commencing with Business & Economics, Engineering, and Law) – potentially expanding to others later, which can serve as a platform for strengthening interdisciplinary postgraduate offerings.
• Opportunities for shared academic leadership roles (e.g. Associate Dean International) across the faculties to alleviate workload and enhance strategic delivery.
• Pursuing collaborative models to reduce overheads and streamline support services.
• Exploring the formation of a professional advisory board for Law.
  
• Inviting the Faculty of Law to propose governance reforms to free up strategic academic capacity, e.g. Board of Studies for Law.

These initiatives aim to deliver many of the strategic benefits originally sought. Progress will be closely monitored, and faculty-level structural options may be reconsidered in future if strategic outcomes are not achieved.

The University extends its sincere thanks to all who contributed to this process. The feedback received from staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders has had a meaningful impact on shaping this revised direction.

We remain committed to building a future-focused, globally relevant institution that continues to adapt to the needs of our students, our communities, and the world we serve.