New Zealand's Auditor-General criticized University of Waikato for hiring Joyce Advisory without a competitive process, spending $1M in public funds from 2019-2023 with no clear reasons.

New Zealand's Auditor-General criticised the University of Waikato for hiring former National Minister Steven Joyce's firm, Joyce Advisory, without a competitive procurement process. The university spent over $1 million in public funds from 2019-2023, with no clear, documented reason for the services needed. The university admitted the errors and promised to report any future policy changes to the University Council.