Despite the decline in student numbers, ''one-off income gains'', including $3.5 million in insurance recoveries for work done repairing buildings in Christchurch, meant the university's operating surplus for the year was expected to be up on previous expectations.
The university is now estimating that 18,577 equivalent full-time students (Efts) will enrol this year, which is 2.87% down on expectations at the start of the year and 1.97% down on the 18,951 enrolled last year.
Director of financial services Grant McKenzie said this had made preparing the budget review difficult.
''The continuing decline in student numbers has created considerable financial pressure,'' he said in the review, tabled at yesterday's council meeting.
The decline in student numbers was expected to cause a drop in income of $5.39 million from what was budgeted at the start of the year, with income from tuition fees expected to be down by $3.545 million and government funding expected to be down by $1.845 million.
Mr McKenzie said despite falling student numbers, ''one-off income gains'' and ''cost savings'' meant the university's budgeted operating surplus of $18.253 million was expected to be $2.331 million higher than previously expected.
''The organisation is in a healthy financial position, with very little debt and significant cash reserves,'' Mr McKenzie said.
