There are concerns that university funding is not keeping up with costs. 

A Tertiary Education Commission briefing paper suggests the financial books of Massey University and Wellington's Victoria University are deemed high risk. 

RNZ reports eight universities had forecast a combined deficit of $42 million. 

Universities New Zealand Executive Director Chris Whelan told Mike Hosking the Government controls about 70% of funding. 

He says they are making choices on expenditure, but it comes down to a conversation with Government. 

LISTEN ABOVE