SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

In results released in October 2023, the University of Waikato was ranked in the top 151-175 universities in the world in the subject category of Business and Economics, with the second-highest score amongst New Zealand universities. The Waikato Management School also has Triple Crown accreditation, placing it firmly in the top one percent of business schools in the world. Waikato Management School (WMS) Pro Vice-Chancellor, Matt Bolger, says the news is indicative of the excellence of the team at WMS, and in particular, the exceptional quality of research being produced. WMS has the highest citation impact in Business & Economics of any of the universities in New Zealand.

“Our academics are not only great teachers, but experts and thought-leaders in their fields, and their research is highly cited by other researchers, which contributes to the high ranking,” says Mr Bolger.

The University brought together a high-profile lineup of New Zealand’s top economists, policymakers and industry leaders for a two-day event held both online and in-person at the Hamilton campus in February 2022. The event covered a wide range of topics, including New Zealand's economic outlook and recovery post-pandemic, a changing economic environment, economic disparity, monetary policy, and housing and infrastructure. The keynote speakers included Former Prime Ministers Rt Hon Helen Clark and Rt Hon Jim Bolger, Governor of the Reserve Bank Adrian Orr, and Chief Executive and Secretary of the New Zealand Treasury, Dr Caralee McLiesh.

We are proud to be the delivery partner of the Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation, CELF, a trust that delivers leadership development programmes aimed at building a stronger Waikato by nurturing socially responsible leaders through sponsored placements.

The University of Waikato has introduced New Zealand's first Bachelor of Banking, Finance & Technology (BBFinTech) in response to an industry need for graduates with skills in the fast-growing fintech sector. The world of finance runs on digital technology. From investment platforms and digital currencies to the way we make payments, nothing happens without digital. Yet no undergraduate degree in New Zealand currently recognises the need for these dual competencies.

"The BBFinTech will fill this critical skills gap. Graduates will help businesses continue to innovate and evolve - whether they are a local Kiwi champion or a Silicon Valley start-up," says Matt Bolger, PVC for Waikato Management School.