An experienced and engaged teaching faculty are let down by an often disorganised administrative student service. Part of your course fees pay for student services, including administrative services, and thus some of those course fees are too high. For example, switching programs, getting advice on your degree, or knowing about the various clubs, wellbeing measures and other resources available through your student levy cost are not easily accessible and you often have to discover them through chance.
Most of the teaching was at a very high standard. I had two exceptions, which involved very poor quality course execution and are worth noting. One of these was in Public Policy (School of Government), the other in Maori Studies (Indigenous Science; School of Maori Studies).
Overall, I would recommend VUW as a tertiary institution but would make sure I understood the layout of student resources and what each potential course specifically involved, including career skills, before applying.