2026 news

A UC-led study reveals how a kea without an upper beak became the dominant male in his group through a unique fighting strategy - jousting.

Congratulations to all our students who celebrated their graduation this week.

For Phoebe Naske and Kelvin Milne, studying Forestry Science at UC led directly to employment through practical learning and strong industry connections.

Designing games to teach quantum computing concepts, Bella Hill has combined creativity and technical learning through her Software Engineering studies at UC.

After years of working in business and real estate, Cornell Prinsloo returned to university to retrain in law and is now working in the field.

The first cohort of UC’s Gough MBA Leaders Scholarship recipients are graduating, marking a milestone for both the programme and its future-focused leaders.

A commitment to community has defined the student experience for graduate Jade O’Connor, whose time at UC has left a lasting impact on Pacific student life.

Helping Māori and Pacific communities become more savvy with their savings is a huge motivator for UC Bachelor of Commerce graduate Rohm Dixon.

The ravages of climate change in Samoa are not only playing havoc with the physical environment but are robbing its people of their identity. 

UC social work graduate Kartik Kumar is looking forward to making a difference working with whānau who may be experiencing challenges.        

Following family footsteps in her choice of degree has proved the right decision for Isabelle Peet who is now working as a graduate civil engineer at AECOM in Christchurch.

From small-town beginnings to a full scholarship, UC graduate Kayla Bishell has found her voice, her purpose and a passion for behaviour change.

Māori perspectives on dementia are informing aged care policy, as a UC PhD graduate puts her degree into practice.

The first cohort of UC’s Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) is already making an impact in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

For Kenny Brown and Lotu Ausage, graduating in the first cohort of UC’s Mātauranga Māori education pathway offers an opportunity to help tamariki thrive in early education.

Two UC graduates are preparing to take their research into culturally grounded education to the next level.

After years helping UC students graduate, UC staff member Heather Couch has completed her own degree, studying part-time for nearly a decade alongside work and family commitments.

UC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT-Madras, to strengthen international academic collaboration and create new global opportunities for students.

Three UC researchers have been selected as 2026 Fellows of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, recognising the international impact and excellence of their work.

This week we welcomed hundreds of Taiohi Māori to explore UC, and connect with study pathways, campus life, and support available for their future.

UC has led a project to build New Zealand’s largest wave buoy network, delivering free real-time marine data to councils, communities and scientists.

A UC scientist contributing to a magma drilling project in Iceland could help shape New Zealand’s geothermal and volcanic research.

The most productive breeding season since 2022 has given UC students and researchers fresh hope for kororā/little penguins at Pōhatu/Flea Bay. 

Four University of Canterbury (UC) subjects now rank in the world’s top 100 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, released yesterday. 

Tuvalu Prime Minister Hon. Feleti Teo OBE visited UC, connecting with students, staff and the Pacific community while contributing to a timely discussion on climate resilience.

A UC-led study shows AI can predict wildfire risk more accurately than existing indices, offering faster warnings and significant cost savings for fire agencies.

Two UC leaders are named in The Press 2026 Power List, recognising their leadership and impact across Christchurch and Aotearoa.

From Bob Hawke’s push for APEC to Deng Xiaoping’s opening of China, a new book edited by UC Professor Alex Tan explores leaders who have reshaped the Asia-Pacific.

The application round for the 'UC Doctoral Scholarships' is now open and will close 15 May - these scholarships are for those who plan to start their doctoral studies before the end of 2026.

A new UC open dataset reveals how New Zealand’s hourly and regional energy demand could evolve by 2050.

The University of Canterbury (UC) community came together on Sunday 15 March to take part in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s iconic FreshChoice City2Surf fun run event.

UC research examines ChatGPT’s translation of mental health questionnaires into Mandarin, with inconsistent results raising concerns for clinical use.

Four University of Canterbury students are packing their running kit and heading to China next week to compete in the Wuhan Marathon.

At-home hearing screening tests are available in te reo Māori as well as English, thanks to the efforts of a Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) team.

If financial literacy tests reward quick calculations, are we measuring money skills, or something else?

Even subtle, unspoken biases can have a big impact on staff and organisations, says a visiting workplace discrimination expert. 

How do managers decide what ‘best’ really means when they say they’re hiring the best person for the job? 

An ongoing challenge in global climate modelling is being addressed by HALO-South a German-Christchurch collaboration.

UC hosted a special screening of Holy Days, the first international feature film to use UC’s Kōawa Studios as its production base.

New research highlighting the links between harm to animals and harm to people, is influencing frontline responses to domestic violence.

A major global review led by UC researcher outlines practical, catchment-scale solutions to help rivers worldwide “soak up” increasingly extreme climatic events. 

Fifteen years on from the destructive Christchurch earthquake, UC researchers are exploring new ways to more accurately forecast earthquake hazards.

First an orchid species, now a whole new genus – a UC botanist is honoured again as a daisy genus is named after him.  

A deepening connection between UC and technology frontrunner Lumin is bringing spinoffs for UC students and graduates. 

Internships with the Crusaders are giving students hands-on experience, helping them turn classroom learning into career-readiness skills.

A warm Canterbury day helped welcome new students and whānau to UC’s Herea tō waka | Welcome Day, as UC’s Ilam campus buzzed with energy for the start of 2026.

UC has opened a new purpose-built hall of residence that supports student wellbeing, belonging and a smooth transition to university life.

An international expert in quake-related land damage, who played a key role in the recovery following the Canterbury earthquakes, is being celebrated after a 40-year career.

University of Canterbury leaders have joined global peers in India to discuss purpose, partnership and the future of higher education.

Landslides, coastal erosion, and the impacts of major storms and sea level rise are increasingly threatening New Zealand communities. 

These scholarships are principally for our current undergraduate students but there are some postgraduate and doctoral scholarships too. 

About 20 scholarships of $15,000 each are available for students studying in their second year of an undergraduate degree at UC. 

Floodwater doesn’t have to be deep to be dangerous — sometimes it just has to be moving.

A delegation from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey has visited the Kingdom of Tonga.

A community-led pest trapping programme at Barnett Park is helping restore native birdlife and strengthen connections to nature for the Redcliffs community.

Two high profile, award-winning novelists will share their creative writing nous with students at the University of Canterbury this year.

From seaweed packaging to AI and fintech, UC student founders will pitch their impact-driven ventures in front of judges and a live audience at an upcoming Christchurch event. 

A UC student is turning surplus seaweed into compostable packaging, using science and curiosity to tackle plastic waste in Aotearoa.

How are screens fitting into the mix for you these school holidays?

Congratulations to our UC alumni recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours, reflecting decades of service and leadership across Aotearoa New Zealand.

What do the ancient Greeks have in common with LEGO, modern-day maths and engineering?  It’s a question UC’s Teece Museum explores in its latest exhibition, Bricks of Olympus.

Breakthrough research has established the world's first framework for detecting sudden declines in underwater light that threaten coastal marine ecosystems.

A University of Canterbury maths professor has become the first person from outside the United Kingdom to receive a prestigious astronomy medal. 

A student startup is turning complex blockchain theory into a safe, ‘flight simulator’ for real-world skills, backed by UC’s Summer Startup Programme.

Each year, 60 Year 13 girls join UC’s WiE CAN camp, an initiative to boost female enrolments in engineering and help close the profession’s gender gap.