AUT is being accused of putting business ahead of academics as it plans staff cuts

Around 230 staff could be sacked, with cuts to areas like Law, Business, Health, Environmental Science and Creative technologies.

The Tertiary Education Union says we need educated people to fill our skills shortage.

President Tina Smith says the university made a 12-million dollar surplus last year and seemed to be doing well.

She says the cuts came as a real shock.