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Post-graduate students are petitioning the Auckland University of Technology over academic staff cuts - saying it's hugely disruptive and will impact New Zealand's research sector.
AUT planned to cut 170 academic positions - those affected had till last Thursday to take voluntary redundancy or face a compulsory layoff.
The petition states the criteria for selecting which staff would go was based on unjust and flawed performance criteria - something backed by the Tertiary Education Union which is taking legal action against AUT on similar grounds.
Susie talks to TEU organiser Jill Jones, and two PhD students: Sarah, and Melanie Welfare, who have both signed the petition requesting AUT reinstate staff.
AUT South Campus Photo: Supplied