University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor Greg CookThe University of Otago is not planning to build weapons as part of any partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), it says. Deputy vice-chancellor for research and information Prof Greg Cook said weapons were not the plan. "It is important to be clear that as part of the RFI (request for information), the university is not proposing to build defence weapons. However, Prof Cook said weapons would not be a focus of any partnership with the NZDF. Asked about concerns from staff who might have objections to working with the NZDF, Prof Cook said there was no requirement for anyone to work on these projects.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 23, 2026 04:40 UTC