The University of Otago is considering making “several hundred” academic and general staff redundant as it battles falling student numbers.

In an email to students, Acting vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said due to a number of factors, including falling student numbers and Government funding not keeping up with rising costs, it was making “hard decisions” to ensure the institution was sustainable into the future.

“This includes the possible redundancies of several hundred academic and professional staff positions.

Applications for voluntary redundancies would open next work and more job cuts were likely later in the year.

More to come.