The University of Otago has maintained its overall position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings announced today.
Otago University is placed in the 201-250 band, retaining the place it has held for the past two years.
This latest ranking follows an improved placing of 151st - up from 169th - in the earlier 2017 QS World University Rankings, which were announced in June.
The rankings are based on assessments of research-intensive universities across their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
Otago external engagement deputy vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said the result confirmed Otago University's ''strong position within the top echelon of the top 2-3% of universities worldwide, and as one of New Zealand's top two universities''.
Times Higher Education has just published the 14th annual edition of its World University Rankings, and what it terms the ''definitive list of the top 1000 universities'' from 77 countries.
''This year, New Zealand's leading institution, the University of Auckland, has plummeted to its lowest position in the rankings to date - falling 27 places to 192nd position,'' it said.
Compared with last year, Auckland University had experienced ''lower teaching and research reputations and a poorer citation impact''.
Most of New Zealand's eight universities had ''maintained a steady performance'' this year.
Otago, Canterbury, and Massey Universities had all maintained their performance, and Waikato University had jumped from the 401-500 band to the 351-400 grouping.
Auckland University's decline occurs as some Asian universities have consistently risen up the table.
Global rankings editorial director Phil Baty said Auckland University's decline in the world rankings was ''a big blow to New Zealand''.
If current trends continued, New Zealand might not have a world top 200 representative for the first time in future years.
''New Zealand will need to up its game if it wants to remain a key global player,'' he said.
