“Studying Economics and Finance at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is great, because I'm learning how to view the world from a different perspective. We look at why people and businesses make decisions, and we learn about the economy we all live in.

“I've had some incredible lecturers who have inspired me to try harder, learn more, and do better. No one expects you to understand difficult concepts straight away. You just have to be comfortable being in the unknown and problem-solve your way through it.

“My experience at the University has shown me that what I'm studying is relevant and important and that I can make an impact.”

Madeline has had opportunities to explore what she is studying outside of the classroom. She was supported to attend the University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in China, which gave her the chance to meet students from around the world. And at the start of her final year she went on a Wellington School of Business and Government trip to Brazil to learn about sustainable development. She spent two weeks studying at a top business university and two weeks in the Amazon in an immersion experience.

“You just don’t know what amazing opportunities you will have when you study here. Never would I have thought I'd be sleeping in a hammock in the middle of the Amazon or meeting other like-minded people from around the world!”

When considering universities, Madeline chose Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington because she wanted to study and live in Wellington.

“It looked like such a fun, vibrant city and it has definitely lived up to that expectation. With the University being based in the city, it’s easy to have a good work–life balance and catch up with friends after uni. There’s always something to do in Wellington.”

Economics at the University has never failed to challenge me and the programme really offers its students a wide range of choice, which is vital for such a broad subject.

Being involved in groups such as Te Pūtahi Atawhai was a really valuable opportunity. Having older Māori students mentor me really helped in my first year, while being able to provide the same āwhina (help) to younger Māori students in my latter years of study was a really rewarding way to give back, not only to the University but also to my fellow Māori students.

Wellington’s a great city to live in for young people and there are always plenty of things going on. Being in a hall of residence in my first year smoothed the transition to the city and was an experience that I look back on with only fond memories.

I have been fortunate enough to have secured a position at the Treasury. Not only is it a place where economics from the classroom can be put into practice but it is also a place where one small change can have an impact on a large number of people.

Studying Economics and Accounting meant Caitlin was able to develop an understanding of both the external, macro perspective and internal, management perspective of how the business world operates.

“The lecturers at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have studied at world-class universities, and each of them brings an unmatched passion and talent.

“The University offers courses you won’t find anywhere else in the world, such as one on the relationship between natural disasters and economics.”

“The opportunities offered to me at the University truly cemented the great experience I had during my degree. Over the course of my study I worked part-time at Wellington University International and I tutored at the Wellington School of Business and Government.”

In her second year, Caitlin also received a full scholarship to study for a semester in Poland at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Caitlin chose to study in Wellington because it is New Zealand’s decision-making powerhouse.

“Sitting in lectures right across the road from Parliament helped provide a strong sense of purpose and context to what we were learning.

“The city’s culture is also unbeatable, guaranteeing that anyone and everyone can find their place. Plus, being able to walk down the street to some of the best cafés in the world is always a bonus.”

Going to university is about learning, but also about the social life and having fun. Victoria University of Wellington provides both. You will find that the University is big enough to get good variety and a depth and range of expertise in classes, and small enough that you won’t just be lost in the crowd. The standard of education is high and the School of Economics and Finance is rated number one in New Zealand for research.

Macroeconomics provides a way to think about some big questions facing society: What caused the great recession, and how can we avoid a repeat? Why are some countries poor, and can we end global poverty? Is economic growth sustainable? Students enjoy using the theoretical frameworks learnt in class to engage with these big questions.

My current research investigates the effects of tax reform on the macro economy, including GDP, employment, tax revenues and inequality. The main challenge is to realistically model how people will respond to changes in taxation—will they work less, will they save more and how will all these decisions interact?