Massey University to cut 53 jobs

Massey University says government funding cuts are behind a proposal to axe more than 50 jobs from its three campuses.

Under the plan the university would replace 120 current non-academic roles with 67 new positions at its campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington and Albany, it said today.

That would leave 53 people out of jobs.

Tertiary Education Union branch president Harvey Jones said the Government needed to step in to make sure cuts like this did not happen.

"It would be a travesty if government just watches from the sidelines at a time when we need to be helping more young New Zealanders get an education and contribute to their communities and the New Zealand's economy," Mr Jones said.

More jobs were at risk if funding levels were not increased, he said.

The union would be working hard to reduce the numbers of jobs lost before a preliminary decision on the cutbacks was made at the beginning of August, Mr Jones said.

- NZPA