Business news

UC and the Gough Family Foundation have renewed their MBA Leaders Scholarship, enhancing its uniqueness with international opportunities and leadership growth.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as heart attacks, causes 32 percent of global deaths. UC researchers are creating technology to reduce this death toll. 

Congratulations to all Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury alumni who have been recognised in the New Year Honours List for 2025.

An international study found one in five employees report feeling lonely at work, and being in the office isn’t the key solution finds researchers from UC and the Institute for Life at Work. 

Two UC academics received awards at Aotearoa Business and Economics Research Translation Competition hosted by Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School. 

Statistics show over half the global population spends more than 2.5 hours daily on social media, UC research has looked at the psychological drivers and concerns behind excessive social media use.

New UC research into social media use could revolutionise how New Zealand’s premium gourmet foods, such as wine, truffles, and beef, reach global markets. 

As global meat consumption looks set to double by 2050, University of Canterbury research seeks ways to make protein transition painless.

New research shows people reject freebies and cheap deals for fear of hidden costs globally.

A UC PhD candidate is contributing to groundbreaking research to determine whether current Aotearoa New Zealand food policies promote healthy, sustainable diets. 

New research from the University of Canterbury is paving the way for New Zealand to emerge as a global leader in the Wagyu beef industry.

UC’s annual Trading Competition saw 175 teams navigate global markets using virtual funds, with top students achieving ROI of 334%.

UC researchers are developing an approach to ensure the resilience, sustainability, and profitability of Aotearoa New Zealand’s future of food supply.

Three UC people have been named finalists in the KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards 2024.

Are you thinking of Postgraduate study in 2025? We have a number of Postgraduate Scholarships closing mainly between 15 October and 2 December for study in 2025.

Climate Change Commission Chair and former UC Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rod Carr spoke at UC Business School recently.         

Many organisations are adopting Māori values, but UC research suggests Aotearoa could go further in exploring the benefits of an Indigenous economies approach.

A new UC business graduate has turned her enthusiasm for new experiences, community building, and advocacy into award-winning success, and a job she loves.

Have a go at entering one or more of our three Essay Prizes and get yourself some extra cash!

Tourists’ irresponsible behaviour around kea, such as feeding the birds, poses a potential threat to the species’ survival, new UC research has found. 

A stellar University of Canterbury MBA student has won the Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards.  

Unique UC behavioural research has revealed the extent of food waste produced by university students living in shared accommodation.

After almost two decades as a mechanical engineer, a growing interest in leadership led Kayne Davis to UC’s MBA programme and a step change in his career.

After the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are happy to put the pandemic behind us. But although the emergency has passed, supply chain management will never be ‘back to normal’ – at least not in the pre-pandemic sense. A new normal is being shaped by the lessons learned through the pandemic.

Three Canterbury businesspeople will accelerate their leadership journey at the University of Canterbury this year, with help from top mentors in their field. 

With international opportunities back on the cards, UC students are taking flight to bring broader world perspectives to their studies.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, embracing cutting-edge technologies is vital for maintaining a competitive edge.

An innovative Canterbury start-up that harnesses AI and other new tech tools to reduce medicine-related errors in pharmacies has won an international business award.

An innovative technology that allows Type 2 Diabetes risk assessments to be carried out in the comfort of people’s own homes took out the top award in this year’s HealthTech Challenge.

A Canterbury marketing academic promoting sustainable and healthy eating in the era of climate change has been recognised for her leading-edge work.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)’s Business School has become the first institution in Australasia to receive the Business School Impact System (BSIS) label.

The top 8 ventures hoping to transform the country’s health sector will be on show at the HealthTech Challenge 2023 Showcase and Award Evening next week at the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Canadian companies will soon be legally obligated to annually report on efforts to prevent and remediate forced and child labour in their supply chains.

Julia Arnott-Neenee could have made her millions overseas but chose to return to Aotearoa to stand up against inequity and advocate for the Pacific community in the tech, business and commercial sectors.

We caught up with University of Canterbury (UC) graduate Zoe Wallis of Forsyth Barr, and former Chief Economist of Deloitte and Kiwibank, ahead of the University’s 150th Anniversary Alumni and Community Weekend discussion, The New Zealand Economy: Current and Future Issues.

Jenny Jin, a Master of Business student from China, joined Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School Summer Micro-Internship programme for a taste of the real business world and an exciting job offer.

If we want New Zealanders to be better with money, we need to start at home suggests UC Senior Lecturer Steve Agnew on The Conversation.

Carl Davidson is one of New Zealand's best-known social scientists, with over 30 years of experience in the insights industry. His busy schedule includes being the founding partner of Research First, Senior Adjunct Fellow here at the University of Canterbury, and author of 10 books and has recently been selected as a 2023 Insight250 winner, acknowledging him as a leader in market research, data-driven marketing and insights.

An engineering graduate turned entrepreneur is driving a new solution to the environmental problem of dust pollution kicked up on gravel roads.

Inspiring experts and business leaders, including former Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield, are sharing their knowledge in a new series of video interviews.

On The Conversation Research Engineer Patricio Gallardo writes how a shift to coastal shipping and rail could cut New Zealand’s freight transport emissions and asks why we are not doing it.

Self-development was Xavier’s priority at first. The double degree graduate is now pursuing his passion for business.

Passion to improve supply chains for real-world impact has landed graduate Jessica Cameron a role to quench her thirst.

Eminent graduate, international businessman and philanthropist Mark Stewart awarded with an honorary Doctor of Commerce.

Learn about marketing medicine and lessons on healthcare, technology and reality in a pandemic from experts.

Rainbow community members in Aotearoa could soon be able to jump online to find doctors who are friendly and well-informed when it comes to meeting their health needs.

A new initiative offers Master of Business Administration graduates the ability to enrol in one free course each year.

From a fun card game to sustainable fishing gear, students have pitched their business ideas to a live audience.

UC student is in her element operating machinery in a processing plant that extracts an edible protein from leafy crops.

People living with endometriosis may soon be able to use natural products to manage symptoms, thanks to a University of Canterbury (UC) student.

Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) student could help identify eye problems and 50 other diseases, including diabetes and cancer.

A new scholarship is offering three Canterbury businesspeople the chance to learn from top mentors in their field.

While most people are taking it easy over the summer break, a University of Canterbury student is gearing up to swim 300km around a South Island lake, making a splash for mental health.

Economics alumnus, John Small (BA(Hon) 1990, PhD 1992) has been appointed Chair of the Commerce Commission in Wellington.

Ten academic staff members have received promotions, including four new Professors and one Associate Professor.

For Hannah Ensor, starting university as an adult was a daunting prospect, but the UC experience has provided her with fresh career opportunities and helped her launch a startup, bookitin.

On The Conversation, experts including University of Canterbury Associate Professor Huibert Peter de Vries and Dr Nadeera Ranabahu say refugees need more help to settle in NZ.

Three stellar young traders came out on top at the University of Canterbury Trading Challenge, hosted by CMC Markets in association with the UC Investment Society.

Only worry if you need to sell, says University of Canterbury Director Business Taught Masters Programme Stephen Hickson in a new article on The Conversation.

Over 150 Canterbury business leaders came together last Wednesday evening to listen to panellists discuss Leading During Complex Times at the UC MBA Thought Leadership Series presented by the UC Business School and Brannigans Recruitment.

More than 1500 Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) students will celebrate achieving their degrees at large-scale celebrations in Ōtautahi Christchurch next week.

On The Conversation, Associate Professor Bernard Walker investigates if the demands of striking firefighters calling for systemic change are too hot to handle for NZ employment law.

Philanthropy@UC A new scholarship has been established to recognise the significant contributions by Frank Tay during his 40-year tenure at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

Stuttering, swallowing problems and the risk of landslides have emerged as the stand-out topics in a fast-paced University of Canterbury competition for postgraduate students.

#EFMDEQUIS reaccreditation Recent graduate Amiria Reid’s (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Kai) love for her whakapapa, community and environment motivated her to do a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canterbury.

Why do people want to visit sites of atrocities and natural disasters? It’s a question University of Canterbury’s Professor Girish Prayag has been researching in his study of dark tourism.

The 2022 Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge climaxed in an outstanding Showcase during E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit. The gala evening on 21 June highlighted and rewarded the impressive prize-winning thinking behind the top 12 ventures entered in this year’s Challenge.

In a new article on The Conversation, Director Business Taught Masters Programme Stephen Hickson argues that removing GST on food is not the most efficient way to support New Zealand households.

An international classical ballet dancer has pivoted to mastering how to make museums easier for everyone to navigate, including people who are neurodivergent.

Airbnb hosts are more likely to face conflict with guests if they don’t set clear rules and boundaries, new research shows.

Social media platforms should hide the viewing metrics on malicious content posted by trolls as part of a more proactive approach to curbing their behaviour, according to new University of Sussex and University of Canterbury research.

A 15-minute ride to the edge of space costs up to $500,000, but a University of Canterbury (UC) Commerce student has found a way to experience outer space using a Virtual Reality (VR) Headset for a fraction of the price.

Three outstanding Canterbury businesspeople have been chosen from a number of high-calibre applicants for a new scholarship programme.

A mobile app being developed by the University of Canterbury (UC) will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ answering young people’s questions about sexuality.

In 2020 the need for social connection became clearer than ever as people locked down around the globe. Amid this change, University of Canterbury (UC) student David Huang realised there was an appetite for a fresh way of connecting with friends, and so the first social media app using augmented reality, Oasis AR, was born.

Promotion to the rank of Professor is a significant accomplishment, recognising academics who work at the forefront of their discipline with sustained excellence in teaching, research, and engagement with communities.

One of the world leaders in the area of auctions and mechanism design, academic economist and Emeritus Distinguished Professor John Riley, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Commerce by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

A new book examines why all governments ‘stuff up’, why policies often fail and what practical steps we might take to improve policy-making in Aotearoa New Zealand.

University of Canterbury 2021 Research Medal winner, UC Business School Professor Markus Milne, began researching ways to account for the social and environmental impacts of business some 30 years ago, when the field was very new.

In a new article on The Conversation, University of Canterbury's Associate Professor Jeremy Clark and Professor Jedrzej Bialkowski look at how regulators must get the balance right between encouraging new drug creation and safeguarding public health.

International students at the University of Canterbury will work with local businesses keen to expand into Asia under a new partnership scheme.

Drones, satellite imaging and artificial intelligence are some of the smart technology tools that could soon be used to ensure farmers and other food industry businesses are following health and safety rules.

Business leaders are welcoming Aotearoa New Zealand’s first undergraduate sustainability degree, saying the sector is crying out for more expertise as it faces new targets and competing goals.

Canterbury tertiary students have come up with innovative ideas to reimagine New Zealand’s healthcare system.

Bringing gaming technology and real-world examples into the classroom are some of the strategies used by award-winning University of Canterbury teachers to engage their students.

A new scholarship providing financial support and leadership coaching is being offered to outstanding University of Canterbury business students, thanks to the generosity of a high-profile Christchurch family.

Te Kura Umanga | University of Canterbury Business School is proud to partner with Taylor’s University, Malaysia to launch the new Bachelor in Accounting (Fintech) (Honours) degree.

A research team led by University of Canterbury Professor Pavel Castka is developing a system to make audits easier for New Zealand businesses.

University of Canterbury Business School’s incubator ThincLab played a vital role in the recent successful graduation of 25 entrepreneurs.

In a new article on The Conversation, UC's Associate Professor Bernard Walker says the government may have to intervene if the Canterbury vaccination programme continues to fall behind.

In an uncertain world, finding out what makes a business resilient will help owners and managers build a sustainable future.

Sustainable materials made from cabbage tree leaves and flax could soon be used to build high-performance skis and skateboards in Christchurch.

An innovative training tool being developed at the University of Canterbury will help software developers brush up on their communication, teamwork and social skills.

The CMC Markets University of Canterbury Trading Challenge has concluded with first-year Commerce student, Luc MacKay, winning the top prize with an impressive 429.86% return on investment (ROI).

Investors in Muslim countries gain higher returns from the share market during Ramadan in a quirk that could be linked to a lift in mood during the religious festival, University of Canterbury (UC) researchers have found.

Stephen Hickson is the Director of the Business Taught Masters programme and teaches Economics at the University of Canterbury.

University of Canterbury Economist Stephen Hickson delves into the Budget and government spending decisions. It's budget time and the usual scramble for a share of the pie is going on. In these somewhat unusual times, it is still important to make sure that the Government spends the money it takes in taxes as well as it can.

In a new article on The Conversation, Associate Professor Laura Meriluoto explains that the underlying productivity of the economy could be compromised if workers decide to leave the public sector.

A range of radical solutions are now a step closer to boosting the agricultural sector thanks to the Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge. Prize winners were named at the Showcase on 11 May.

The commercialisation of elite sport – including the sale, relocation and branding of professional sport clubs – is nothing new. The commercialisation of professional sport has driven huge changes in sports teams from being responsible to the public and local community and seen as a public good, to being responsible to the owners and shareholders of the commercial entities. This fundamental change sparks debate and controversy.

Imagine a world where a farmer can tell the difference between every sheep by just looking at them. Thanks to new sheep facial recognition technology employing AI this could soon be a reality. Genesmith is just one of the big ideas named today as a finalist in the Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge.

A Conversation with Frank Tay by Alfred Guender.

The University of Canterbury Business School has signed an agreement with Energy Academy to develop a new model for the delivery of academic content.

In times of uncertainty, seeking insight from people with experience leading businesses through change is critical.

Three University of Canterbury (UC) financial economists have shed light on a puzzling relationship between economic policy uncertainty and the Volatility Index (VIX) - fear gauge of the stock market, and how the quality of political signals impacts on this relationship in a new research paper.

Nine teams competed in a two-day Challenge to develop a winning marketing strategy and a 20th-anniversary event plan for Cedra Express - New Zealand's leading medical courier.

Innovation in the food, fibre and agritech sector looks set to solve some of the greatest challenges facing the sector thanks to ideas submitted to the Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge.

Learning through experience is at the heart of University of Canterbury (UC) lecturer Dr Christian Walsh’s award-winning teaching philosophy – preparing students to easily enter and apply what they have learned in a business setting.

The UC Business School has cemented its place in the top one percent of business schools worldwide accredited with the triple crown after confirmation of reaccreditation by AACSB.

Student entrepreneurs will pitch their innovative business and social enterprise ideas to industry experts in a lively competition in central Christchurch this week.

How is a Canterbury Business School lecturer with a background in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) helping to speed up the development of medicines?

How can New Zealanders better engage with Asia, at a time when we are more physically isolated from the rest of the world than ever?

Opportunity is everywhere if you are willing to grab it. For University of Canterbury (UC) student Charlie Kavanagh, who is graduating this week, UC has provided a number of opportunities for him to flex his entrepreneurial muscle and broaden his horizons with international travel.

University of Canterbury Law and Business student Grace Steinmetz is keeping her career options open. As a force to be reckoned with on a rugby seven’s field she’s eyeing the 2024 Olympics in Paris too.

The CMC Markets University of Canterbury Trading Challenge has come to a close with third-year Finance, Strategy & Entrepreneurship student, Connor Rogers, winning the top prize with a 152.48 percent return on investment (ROI).

Moves to see the University of Canterbury (UC) deliver the most advanced, smart cities focused MBA programme are under way as the University becomes the first university globally to sign as a Research and Knowledge Partner with the Smart Cities Council.

If your job has been impacted by COVID-19 and you’re thinking about next steps, now is the perfect time to apply for an MBA at the University of Canterbury (UC). Assistance with tuition fees is available in the form of a UC FutureU study grant, providing up to $7500 per person.

Christchurch is already seeing the benefits of a memorandum of understanding between the University of Canterbury (UC) and ChristchurchNZ, through an additional agreement with UC’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) to deliver various programmes, including ThincLab Canterbury.

Join a panel of local experts to discuss business marketing post-COVID-19 in the next University of Canterbury (UC) Business School Hihiko Webinar event, Marketing in the New Normal.

Growing ties between the Crusaders and the UC College of Business and Law are bringing invaluable real-world experiences for marketing and sports management students, as well as collaborative research ventures and conference opportunities.

Imagining the future of the General Practice was never going to be an easy task - especially tackling it in one weekend! Four teams of students from across Canterbury were given 48 hours to reimagine the way GPs were using digital tools and delivering virtual consultations.

Imagining a HealthPod located in the community, where patients with chronic illnesses could more easily monitor their symptoms, has won a team of health students the University of Canterbury Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) Digital Doctors Disrupt Challenge for 2020.

Andrew Barnes is a successful businessman who made headlines around the world by implementing the four day working week in his own company. Andrew visited UCE to speak about the benefits of a four day week for organisations.

The University of Canterbury has big goals for improving its sustainability. Last week, 50 UC students were given the opportunity to produce new ideas to help reach these targets at the Greening UC Challenge.

Budding University of Canterbury (UC) student entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas live on stage during a Dragons’ Den-style competition at The Piano next week.

The University of Canterbury has renewed it’s Partnership Agreement with the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) for another year.

‘Food for Thought’ is a five-day series of 15-minute talks in the city, bringing the university’s thought leaders to the public, so people can feed their minds while filling their tummies.

The University of Canterbury (UC) Business School and the Marketing Association have teamed up for a new initiative that aims to provide collaborative pro bono advice to charities.

The UC Business School and the Marketing Association have teamed up for a new initiative that aims to provide collaborative pro bono advice to charities.

Twelve University of Canterbury-led research projects have been green-lit by the 2019 Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau to the total of $6.54 million in diverse fields of research. The research covers four of UC’s five colleges, and includes research in engineering, management, computer science and software engineering, linguistics, political science and te reo as well as physical, chemical and biological sciences.

University of Canterbury (UC) student inventors and co-founders of tech startup Vxt, Luke Campbell and Lucy Turner have released their innovative app, another step in commercialising their smart assistant that converts voicemails to text.

The University of Canterbury’s (UC) top finance students have won the biggest finance competition in the country to secure their place representing New Zealand in South Korea.

Students’ big ideas and innovative thinking were celebrated to the tune of $85,000 at Entré’s $85k Challenge awards evening at the University of Canterbury (UC) this week.

Globally, locally, through their research and via community platforms, academics are leading climate change action, and none more so than University of Canterbury (UC)’s Associate Professor Bronwyn Hayward.

There was plenty of success for UC alumni at last night's Westpac Champion Business Awards, run by Champion Canterbury Ltd.

MYOB announced the University of Canterbury Business School as the recipient of the Education Partner of the Year at its 11th annual Australia and New Zealand Partner Connect Gala Dinner on 23 August in Melbourne.

This year, UC Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) and the UC International Relations Office sent Abel Gore (BCom), Alex Lyall (LLB/BA), and Nicole Nathan (LLB/BCom) to Fudan University in Shanghai.

Inspired by a study tour to Fudan, Chelsea Aitken and business partner Millie Morgan completed the UCE Summer Startup Programme with their venture New Zealand and Beyond.

Join us at the inaugural UC research futures symposium

Run by students, for students, Ignition Tutoring provides NCEA students with a flexible, accessible and relatable alternative to other tutoring services. We talk to previous summer student, Tom Maslin, the guy behind it all.

Tayla Johns, founder of Equilibrium Equine, has had a very busy and successful year. Tayla came second in entre’s $85k Startup Challenge, then took part in the UCE EY Summer Startup Programme.

An accounting professor’s boyhood love of the outdoors has inspired 30 years of research into the social and environmental impacts of organisations, and how they account for and communicate those impacts.

Adapting new data technologies may lead to fairer food prices for consumers and producers, by increasing transparency.

The University of Canterbury (UC) Business School has achieved EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation.

University of Canterbury Economist and Director of Business Taught Masters, Stephen Hickson explains why the Reserve Bank is heading into new territory with the cut to the OCR, and what impact it could have.

Results for the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) were revealed by the Tertiary Education Commission. UC Business School is excited to announce Marketing and Tourism ranked first in their subject area.

UC continues to produce top quality research despite challenges resulting from the Canterbury earthquakes.

Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School, in conjunction with MYOB, has run a successful teachers conference in 2019.

The Condliffe Annual Memorial Lecture took place on 1 April 2019 hosted by the Department of Economics and Finance of the UC Business School.

UCE Students Luke Campbell and Lucy Turner (both BSc) are on a mission to make voicemails more efficient with their business, Vxt - a voicemail inbox app that converts users’ voicemails to text and gives users smart tools to deal with a large amount of voicemail.

Robotic retailers, traveling by virtual reality, and pilotless planes are just some of the ideas that University of Canterbury students had for how digital disruption and emerging technologies will impact the future of travel.

Robotic retailers, traveling by virtual reality, and pilotless planes are just some of the ideas that University of Canterbury students had for how digital disruption and emerging technologies will impact the future of travel.