Massey University Alumni

02/09/2026

Join us in the October Webinar Series: three expert speakers, three fascinating topics and a month of learning. From caring for your pets and navigating artificial intelligence (AI) to understanding New Zealand’s democracy, there’s something for everyone.

Webinar 1 – So your pet needs anaesthesia

Wednesday 7 October 12pm-1pm

When your pet needs surgery or a procedure, it’s natural to have questions. Professor Erik Hofmeister will describe what happens when your pet is anaesthetised, the real risks, what you can do to minimise them, and how veterinary anaesthesiologists can help make anaesthesia safer for your pet.

Register here: https://massey.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RDRXp56_SgKSl3jcxspR3Q #/registration

Webinar 2 – Working smarter with AI: Practical tools for today’s world

Thursday 15 October 12pm-1pm

AI is rapidly changing the way we work, but what does that mean in practise? This session will provide a simple introduction to AI, explain how different AI tools vary, and explore how they can be customised for specific needs. Professor Ruggiero “Rino” Lovreglio will showcase practical examples of how AI can support everyday tasks, from creating tailored assistants to automating repetitive workflows.

Register here: https://massey.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TvpgX5YuRtayATKfPpFPZQ #/registration

Webinar 3 – Your questions answered: Understanding elections in New Zealand

Thursday 29 October 12pm-1pm

With New Zealand’s General Election approaching, there’s no better time to understand how our electoral system works. Join Professor Richard Shaw for an engaging discussion exploring what happens when you cast your vote, how elections work, and how those votes contribute to the formation of a government. This session will provide practical insights to help you engage with the democratic process with greater confidence.

Register here: https://massey.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EdlDpU0jQlyFLEL_ANPUIw #/registration

31/08/2026

Are you ready to advance your career in nutrition and dietetics?

If you are passionate about how food, health and wellbeing connect, becoming a registered dietitian could be your next step towards making a real difference in people’s lives.

Join our upcoming webinar to learn more about Massey University’s accredited Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Webinar: Explore Nutrition and Dietetics at Massey
Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026
Time: 7pm – 7:45pm

Register here: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/events/advance-your-career-in-nutrition-and-dietetics/

30/08/2026

Seeing her mother watching proudly from the audience was the moment that meant the most to Itisha Bhadauria as she crossed the graduation stage.

Now graduating with a degree in Animal Science majoring in Genetics and Breeding, Itisha says the moment was made even more meaningful by sharing it with the people who supported her journey from the very beginning.

“My parents and brother sacrificed a lot to let me be here. They put in so much effort, time and emotional support into helping me through my degree, so it was really special that they got to share this moment with me,” she says.

“My partner was another major pillar of support. He was there for me through all the late-night assignments and daily pressures of university. I’m blessed to have so many people in my corner.”

Originally from India, Itisha chose Massey University because of its strong global reputation in veterinary and animal sciences.

“I knew Massey had world-class education, especially in veterinary science and animal science. And I knew New Zealand was a beautiful country. I wanted to come and see what it was all about while advancing my education as well,” she says.

Her passion for animals began at a very young age.

“I’ve always had an immense love for animals since I was about five years old. I always knew I wanted to build my career around helping animals, whether it be a cat or a cow. Just the thought that I might someday be making their lives better gets me out of bed in the morning.”

Not surprisingly, cats remain her favourite animal. “My favourite animal is a cat. I love cats,” she laughs.

Like many international students, Itisha says one of the biggest challenges during her studies was balancing university life with personal responsibilities while still making time to enjoy life outside study.

“Unexpected things can happen at the same time as university. You have to make sure you get all your work done while also having balance, enjoying yourself, exploring the country and doing your assignments. That was probably the most challenging part.”

Alongside the academic journey, Itisha says the friendships and connections she built at Massey became some of the most rewarding parts of university life.

“My favourite memory is meeting new people from all different walks of life through university. Massey has truly introduced me to people who will be lifelong friends.”

Although graduation marks a major milestone, Itisha is already looking ahead to the future. She is currently continuing her studies through a master’s programme and hopes to build a career in animal and cattle science research.

“Next is working on my thesis and hopefully building a career as a dairy scientist. I truly want to make a difference for the better in the dairy industry.”

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

28/08/2026

Our latest alumni newsletter is now live! We’re excited to share stories, updates and opportunities to help you stay connected with Massey and our wider alumni community.

In this issue, you can:

* Find out more about Massey’s new strategy and what it means for our community.
* Meet inspiring College of Sciences alumni making a difference in New Zealand and around the world.
* Discover upcoming opportunities to connect, including the Golden Alumni Lunch and events in Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
* Join our October Webinar Series for three fascinating talks from expert speakers.
* Explore the latest publications from Massey University Press and be in to win.

We hope you enjoy the latest issue!

Read it here: https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/newsletters/alumni-2026-august

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

We loved seeing our alumni and friends come together across our three campuses to take part in our strategy launch last night, make new connections and catch up with familiar faces.

Centred on the theme of connecting people, place and possibility, the strategy reflects our distinctive strengths and commitment to advancing knowledge of the living systems that sustain New Zealand and the world.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter says the strategy builds on Massey’s 100-year history while positioning the university to become New Zealand’s most applied and connected tertiary institution.

“A key part of the strategy is ensuring that Massey becomes a place of lifelong learning – making it easier for graduates and alumni to return to the university whenever they have further education needs.”

24/08/2026

What does it take to help a region grow and thrive? For Massey alumna Tiffany Bower, it starts with being a “people-connector.”

As Industry Development Lead for the Digital Economy at Sunshine Coast Council, Tiffany brings founders, businesses and organisations together, drawing every day on the communication skills she developed through her postgraduate studies.

“My Postgraduate Diploma in Communication has given me a real breadth of skills and knowledge that I draw on nearly every day, in both work and personal life. In fact, I draw on the learning a lot more than I ever thought I would,” she says.

A lot of her current job involves building relationships, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. One of the aspects she enjoys most is working with local startup founders, understanding their goals and challenges, then connecting them with people and organisations that can help.

“In ‘innovation-industry’ speak, I’m often referred to as an ‘ecosystem enabler.’ I find great satisfaction in working out the levers to pull, lighting the pathway for someone and the long-lasting relationships that result.”

The skills she developed through her studies continue to underpin that work, particularly interpersonal communication, strategic public relations, advocacy, strategy development and stakeholder management.

“It’s proof that a strong grounding in communication theory and practice translates directly into real-world impact.”

Read more:

A ‘people-connector’ is how alumna Tiffany Bower describes her role helping businesses, industries and the wider Sunshine Coast region grow and thrive.

20/08/2026

Our alumni had a wonderful time reconnecting in Papua New Guinea! It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up, make new connections and celebrate our Massey community.

More Pacific events are coming soon! Join us in Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands to connect with fellow alumni.

Samoa
Monday 31 August 6pm-8pm
Upolu Room, Taumeasina Island Resort, Apia
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/massey-university-event-in-samoa-tickets-1996918795874

Tonga
Tuesday 1 September 6pm-8pm
Lave’itavake Lounge and Terrace, Nuku’alofa
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/massey-university-event-in-tonga-tickets-1997514374265

Cook Islands
Wednesday 2 September time 6pm-8pm
Nautlius Resort Restaurant, Nautilus Resort, Muri Beach, Rarotonga
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/massey-university-event-in-cook-islands-tickets-1998394559924

We look forward to seeing you there

19/08/2026

Fifty years, more than 3,000 graduates and countless lives changed.

For half a century, Massey University’s Bachelor of Social Work has prepared graduates for a profession built on compassion, advocacy and social justice.

This year, Massey is marking the programme’s golden anniversary alongside Aotearoa Social Workers’ Day, celebrating five decades of educating practitioners who are often described as the “human face of a caring society”.

Read more: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/fifty-years-of-social-work-generations-of-impact/