Auckland University has put a freeze on hiring staff in a bid to claw back what it estimates will be $30 million in losses this semester due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The university has about 2000 Chinese students who cannot get into the country, due to a travel ban preventing any foreigners entering New Zealand if they have been in or transited through China in the past two weeks.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents and their immediate families are exempt from the restrictions, but have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Victoria University estimates the coronavirus could cost it $12 million this year, but the financial impact will flow into at least the next two years, and it will need to find significant cost reductions.
Auckland University Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon talks to Lisa Owen.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement: "This is a fast-evolving situation. The government is conscious of the impact the travel restriction might have on universities and continues to reassess it, with public health and safety kept front of mind."
