Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money has criticised the University of Auckland for inadequate processes in managing complaints about bullying, harassment, and harmful sexual behaviour.
Money said the institution's practices should be exemplary given its academic standing and responsibility for student and staff safety. "They've got leading academic space there. They are an educational institution who is responsible for the safety of rangatahi and young people and adults. So I would really expect that their practices and processes be second to none, but it doesn't look like they are when I review them," she said, according to RNZ.
The University maintains it has strong policies, procedures and guidelines to manage investigations into bullying, harassment and discrimination. However, Money disputes this assertion, describing the policies as outdated. The framework received its most recent update in 2024 and will not be revisited until 2029.
Money has written to the University requesting information on when the policies will be revised. "For example, they don't include the stalking law. I think another big issue for me is the lack of clarity around what an informal versus a formal process is, and how much work it seems a victim or survivor needs to do to get the university to consider their complaint or even hear their complaint. It seems very heavy in terms of a victim doing all the heavy lifting," she said, according to RNZ.
In 2022, the University commissioned an independent examination of its student disciplinary procedures after permitting a student who had twice raped another student to remain enrolled. That examination produced 70 recommendations, but it appeared to apply only to cases involving students as the subject of complaints, not staff.
Money said complainants at tertiary institutions face particular barriers compared to other workplaces. "It's the whole power and control dynamic which always leaves the victim survivor on the back foot the whole time. It's also why many students that I've worked with in a tertiary environment choose not to disclose until they've graduated. And again, they're judged for that, and investigations can question the veracity of their complaint because they've chosen to delay. They do not want to be fighting the very institution that should be giving them their graduation until they have graduated. It's a very common but heart-wrenching outcome," she said, according to RNZ.
Money said one of her current priorities is establishing an accessible, transparent, and simplified complaint process across the tertiary sector. "At the moment, if you're a complainant in education, it's very difficult to know where to complain to and how do I complain. For example, is it the board of trustees? Is it ERO? Is it NZQA? Is it the university body? Who is it?" she said, according to RNZ.
NZQA is collaborating with Money to reform the complaint process. Efforts are under way to consolidate complaint channels, and an initial meeting was held in May 2026 bringing together representatives from NZQA, the Ministry of Education, the Teaching Council, the Education Review Office, and the Tertiary Education Commission.
The University stated it regards sexual harassment, bullying and similar conduct as serious matters and has a comprehensive set of policies available. It has policies requiring all parties to take reasonable steps to prevent victimisation of complainants during complaint proceedings. Staff can access clinical psychologists and trauma-informed practitioners through an employee assistance programme, while students can access counselling services.