Alumni_2026_June - Massey University

Your latest Alumni newsletter

Kia ora koutou katoa,

Welcome to our June/July newsletter! This edition celebrates the achievements, milestones and connections that bring our alumni whānau together.

Our autumn graduation ceremonies marked an important milestone for our newest alumni, as we celebrated their hard work and proudly welcomed over 4,300 graduates into our community. We captured some of these special moments on our Alumni Facebook page.

In this issue, we shine a spotlight on alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication by balancing their studies with elite sporting pursuits. From the waters of Europe to the international taekwondo stage and the open roads of New Zealand, their achievements showcase the determination and resilience of Massey graduates. Read about Kate Haines, who represented New Zealand at the recent World Rowing Cups securing both silver and bronze medals; Brenna Greene, who claimed gold in the Senior Women’s Team Power event at the 2025 International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships, and Sam Shaw, who set a new fastest known time for a solo bike ride from Auckland to Wellington.

Connection was also at the heart of our Alumni Morning Tea at Fieldays, where alumni came together to reconnect and celebrate their shared ties to Massey. We were delighted to welcome Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter, Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Sciences Professor Raymond Geor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, and Professor Paul Kenyon, who shared updates on the exciting work taking place across the university.

We also celebrate alumni, current staff and former staff members recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List, and we are proud to share that Massey has continued its upward trajectory in global rankings, rising 15 places to its highest ever position in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings.

We hope you enjoy this edition and are inspired by the incredible achievements, journeys and contributions of our alumni.

Ngā mihi nui,
Alumni Relations Team

Share your feedback on Massey’s next Strategy

We are in the process of developing Massey’s new Strategy which will set the university’s direction for the next decade.

As we develop our next University Strategy, we want to hear what you, our alumni, think about our proposed direction. This strategy will guide our priorities, decisions and investments in the years ahead. Your perspectives as Massey graduates will help us better understand emerging opportunities, challenges and expectations, and ensure our future direction reflects the needs of our communities and future generations.

Watch this short video from our Vice-Chancellor to learn more about the proposed Strategy and why your feedback matters.

From Massey to what’s next

Our newest graduates come from a diverse range of qualifications and backgrounds, but they share a common connection – their Massey experience. Discover their stories, achievements and hopes for the future.

Rowing toward success

Just one day after celebrating her graduation, Kate Haines was on a flight to Europe to represent New Zealand at the 2026 World Rowing Cups. Within weeks, she stood on the international podium twice, helping the New Zealand Women’s Four secure a bronze medal at World Cup I and a silver medal at World Cup II.

Kicking goals on and off the mat

Balancing university assignments with elite sport, Brenna Greene claimed gold in the Senior Women’s Team Power event at the 2025 International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships. The experience taught her resilience, discipline and time-management skills she now hopes to bring into her teaching career.

Riding the distance

When Sam Shaw rolled into Wellington after riding 638 kilometres from Auckland in a single day, he had achieved something extraordinary – setting a new fastest known time for the solo ride. But for Sam, the achievement wasn’t just about speed. It was about preparation, perseverance and a lifelong passion for cycling.

Celebrating the success of sport and exercise graduates

Our newest Sport and Exercise graduates are turning their passion into purpose, pursuing further study, advancing research and building rewarding careers in sport, health and education. Their achievements reflect the diverse opportunities and pathways created during their Massey experience.

Interested in becoming an Alumni Ambassador?

Help strengthen the Massey alumni community in your region by becoming an Alumni Ambassador. As part of our Global Alumni Chapters, ambassadors play a valuable role in bringing alumni together, supporting local activities and sharing the Massey spirit around the world. Find out more about our Global Alumni Chapters and how you can get involved.

Help shape Massey’s global reputation

Massey has achieved its highest-ever ranking of 215th in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, while retaining its position as New Zealand’s third-ranked university. Our global reputation is built on the success and impact of our graduates. Register your interest to contribute to future QS reputation surveys and help showcase the value of a Massey education around the world.

Massey secures approval for second Joint Education Institute in China

We have received formal approval from the Chinese Government to establish a second Joint Education Institute (JEI) in China, marking a major milestone in the university’s transnational education strategy. The partnership will deliver three degree programmes in China, with the first student intake scheduled to begin in September.

Congratulations to Massey’s King’s Birthday Honours recipients

Alumni, staff and former staff have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026, including Professor Emeritus Sir James Chapman, was named a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literacy education. Alumnus Bryan Mogridge ONZM was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children’s health, governance and philanthropy.

A year of impact and achievement

The recent publication of Massey’s 2025 Annual Report highlights how the university continued to make an impact by championing knowledge, strengthening communities and shaping a better future for Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. At the heart of Massey’s academic offering is an unwavering commitment to student achievement, with more than 7,000 graduates joining our global alumni whānau last year.

Reconnect, reunite and celebrate in 2027

As we prepare to celebrate Massey University’s centenary in 2027, we’d love to hear from alumni groups planning reunions, class gatherings or opportunities to reconnect with fellow graduates.

Let us know what you’re planning and your proposed dates. We can help spread the word to your alumni group and support you in organising your reunion. We’d also love to include reunion dates and events in our centenary calendar for 2027.

Email us at alumni@massey.ac.nz.

Save the date – Sport & Exercise Experience Day – Manawatū

Thursday 16 July, 10:30am – 12:30pm

Join this hands-on workshop and explore the field of exercise to support people in improving their health and wellbeing. Experience our modern sporting facilities, including our sport performance lab on the Manawatū campus.

Save the date – Centre for Disaster Research celebrates 20 years – Wellington

2–4 November

The Joint Centre for Disaster Research will celebrate 20 years of research, education, and impact in disaster risk reduction and emergency management. We would love to welcome our alumni to Wellington to celebrate with us.

New ‘This Thinking Life’ webinar series

The popular webinar series hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences starts this month, offering a new line-up of short, accessible talks focused on the growing importance of human-focused skills in a rapidly changing world.

The free online series includes eight 30-minute webinars being held each Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm.

Catch Massey on the new season of Rural Delivery

The 2026 season showcases 12 stories from the College of Sciences, highlighting research, teaching and student initiatives that are helping shape the future of New Zealand’s primary industries.

New episodes air every Saturday at 8am on TVNZ1 and are also available on TVNZ+, Sky Open, Country TV, Pasifika TV, YouTube and the Rural Delivery website.

Remembering Professor Emeritus Robert Jolly

We wish to acknowledge the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert Jolly, MNZM, who made outstanding contributions to veterinary pathology and whose research helped bridge animal and human medical science.

Professor Jolly joined the inaugural staff of Massey’s veterinary faculty in 1965, and over the following 30 years, helped establish Massey as a centre of excellence in veterinary pathology while mentoring generations of students and researchers. Retiring from full-time duties in 1995, Professor Jolly remained closely connected to Massey as Professor Emeritus and an active research contributor.

Read about Professor Emeritus Robert Jolly’s legacy.

Share your expertise and support Massey research

Have you worked on sustainability advertising, environmental campaigns or green marketing initiatives? Massey PhD candidate Xue (Poppy) Zheng is seeking alumni with experience in these areas to take part in her research. By sharing your professional insights, you can help improve understanding of how sustainability and environmental messages are developed in marketing practice. Participation involves a confidential 45-minute interview, held online or in person. No confidential or commercially sensitive information is required. To find out more or express your interest, contact Poppy at x.zheng2@massey.ac.nz.

Connect with your alumni community!