Auckland University ordered to pay scientist over NZ$200,000

New Zealand’s University of Auckland has been ordered to pay scientist Siouxsie Wiles NZ$205,059.94 (US$123,000). The payout – revealed in an Employment Court decision on Wednesday 4 June – is towards Wiles’ legal costs, after a three-week hearing in the Employment Court last year, reports RNZ.

In that case, the court found the university breached its contractual obligations to protect Wiles as harassment against her intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it did not find the university had breached Wiles’ academic freedom, or claims related to Te Tiriti.

In her decision on Wednesday, Judge Joanna Holden said the parties were encouraged to agree to costs, but due to the university’s response Wiles found it necessary to return to court.
Full report on the RNZ site