The decline in doctoral candidates at New Zealand universities poses a threat to the country’s goal of developing a knowledge-based economy. Historically reliant on low-value primary commodities, New Zealand aims to transition towards a high-value, innovation-driven economy. This shift promises not only economic growth but also enhanced living standards and public services. However, New Zealand has struggled to diversify its income and develop a high-knowledge workforce. Postgraduate education, particularly doctoral programs, has been financially burdensome due to a removal of student allowances for higher degrees in 2013 and a 16% reduction in government funding per student. Despite universities spending NZ$82 million on doctoral stipends in 2022, real funding has stagnated, leading to a decline in the number of doctoral students since 2019, contrasting with a slight increase in Australia.
