
The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest established university, founded in 1869, and has earned an international reputation in the fields of humanities, sciences, health sciences, and business. There are 18,000 students enrolled at Otago, including over 2000 international students representing 87 countries. The buildings are a beautiful blend of historic structures and modern facilities clustered around courtyards, gardens, and a river.
Established in 1964, the University of Waikato is New Zealand's most modern and innovative university, widely recognized for its academic excellence, with an enrollment of more than 13,000 students. Waikato has the highest proportion of indigenous Maori students of any campus in New Zealand. The Maori character of the campus is an important aspect of its overall identity, with the School of Maori and Pacific Development recognized as an international leader in teaching and research for the benefit of New Zealand, the Pacific, and the international communities it serves. The courses concerning New Zealand/Pacific Society and Culture are especially popular with international students.