Otago University says a number of factors have led to a proposal to cut staff - not just falling student enrolments.

Several hundred staff could be laid off because of a 60 million dollar budget shortfall, in plans revealed yesterday. 

The university's acting Vice-Chancellor, Helen Nicholson, said while its 2023 forecast was accurate, the environment has changed significantly.

RNZ's Otago/Southland reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Katie Scotcher