In this episode, Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr James Kierstead discuss administrative bloat in New Zealand universities, focusing on the rise of non-academic staff and its potential consequences.

Dr Kierstead shares some figures on the large number of non-academic employees compared to academic staff and compares the situation to other countries. The conversation considers why universities need non-academic staff, but also explores how many is too many.

Dr Kierstead's upcoming report aims to start a debate about how many non-academic staff are needed and how universities can balance their priorities to provide quality education and research while managing their finances.