[1] Prior to this, the University of Otago had taught some students from the final years of its medical course in Auckland through a branch faculty of the Dunedin School of Medicine.

The University of Auckland welcomed the commitment by New Zealand and Australian prime ministers to fund NZ $3 million over 2 years for a trans-Tasman project to investigate potential vaccines against Rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic fever is a major health concern in NZ and Australia, particularly in Maori, Pacifica and Aboriginal communities, which have the highest rates in the world.

This vaccine project complements ongoing public health programs which contribute to high rates of disease in New Zealand and Australia.

The University has considerable expertise in both the basic science of group A streptococcus infection and public health approaches required to take high rates of rheumatic fever as per Professor John Fraser, former Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.