Massey University Alumni

11/09/2026

Thanks to the generosity of Massey University Press, we have two of its latest publications to give away to our alumni: Ōtepoti Dunedin Architecture and Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2026.

For your chance to win, email [email protected] your name, address, and the book title you’re interested in by Sunday, 27 September. Good luck!

As a special thank you to our alumni, we’re offering an exclusive 20% discount on all MUP books. Don’t miss out!

Find out more: https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/news/2026-massey-press-august

10/09/2026

“It wasn’t that easy, but as long as you keep that goal in mind… well, look, here I am today.”

For Amiria Karekare, crossing the graduation stage was the reward for years of determination and balancing life’s many demands.

Amiria chose Massey University for its strong reputation and flexibility for distance learners. “One of the reasons I chose Massey was because it’s a very reputable university. They also made it so easy to study by distance.”

That flexibility proved invaluable. While studying online, Amiria was also working full-time, raising her family and embracing her role as a proud mum and nanny.

“It wasn’t that easy. But as long as you keep that goal in mind… well, look, here I am today.”

Like many distance students, she found that finding time to study alongside work and family commitments was her biggest challenge. Yet she says one of the greatest strengths of studying at Massey was the support she received from her lecturers.

“When you’re struggling, just reach out to your teachers. They’re amazing and have been so supportive. They’re very understanding, and when you need support, they’ll do everything they can to help you.”

Although Amiria credits much of her success to her own determination, she says believing in herself was just as important as staying organised.

“I’ve kind of just relied on my own inner strength to keep going.”

Graduation day was a moment to celebrate.

"My highlight is everything, the graduation itself and being able to walk across that stage. There were times when it became doubtful that I would make it here, so to be here today is definitely the highlight.”

For anyone considering studying while juggling work and family, Amiria hopes her story offers encouragement that it is possible with perseverance and by asking for help when it’s needed.

And she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Having completed her bachelor’s degree, she’ll be returning to Massey soon to begin a Master of Science in Psychology and continuing the journey she worked so hard to begin.

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

08/09/2026

A huge congratulations to Massey alumna Elinor-Plum King, who was named Player of the Match in the Black Ferns’ historic 52–20 win over South Africa in Johannesburg over the weekend!

Elinor-Plum, who graduated from Massey with a Bachelor of Science in 2025, delivered a standout performance, scoring two tries and helping the Black Ferns secure their first-ever victory over the Springbok Women on South African soil.

We’re incredibly proud to see one of our graduates making her mark on the international stage. Ka mau te wehi, Elinor-Plum!

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

Player of the MATCH
Congrats Elinor-Plum King 🖤

07/09/2026

You’ve changed your food product, but do you know how consumers will respond?

A new ingredient, a different supplier or a change to your process can affect taste, texture, appearance and consumer acceptance. Sensory evaluation can help you understand what those changes mean for your product.

Feast’s Quality Assurance & Control short course introduces the tools and approaches used to monitor sensory quality, develop sensory specifications and carry out sensory quality control testing.

Designed as a follow-on to the Introduction to Sensory Evaluation short course, it is ideal for people working in food quality assurance, food technology and sensory science.

💻 Available online
⏱️ Approximately seven hours of interactive learning
📅 Five weeks to complete
🎓 Professional development certificate

Learn more: https://www.massey.ac.nz/study/find-a-subject-course-or-qualification/short-courses-and-professional-development/quality-assurance-and-control/

06/09/2026

Great to see the Massey community in the Cook Islands coming together to connect, share experiences and look toward the future.

For Massey alumna Chiavanni Le’Mon, the visit was a special opportunity to strengthen connection and belonging for Cook Islanders. “It was wonderful to hear the different journeys within our local Massey community.”

Now studying toward her Master’s degree, Chiavanni hopes this visit will be the beginning of more opportunities for students and alumni here at home.

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