The University of Auckland has taken New Zealand's top spot in the latest QS World University Rankings.
It was the only New Zealand university in the top 100, bumped up from its 2015 placing of 82 to 81.
The University of Auckland was followed by the University of Otago, at 169, and the University of Canterbury, at 214.
Lincoln University made the biggest gain, up 30 places on last year's ranking to 343.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon says the high rankings will help encourage international researchers and academics to come to the country.
"We are focused on achieving a high level of excellence and this is a great result for the university and the country."
The University of Auckland has also been rated the most innovative university in New Zealand or Australia in the Reuters Top 75: Asia's Most Innovative Universities list.
"As New Zealand's and Australia's most innovative university we provide a rich source of innovation and skilled graduates to industry and to our wider society," Prof McCutcheon says.
The annual rankings are based on academic and employer reputation, staff-student ratios, research citations and the proportion of international staff and students.
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