WELLINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The University of Auckland has retained its place as the top-ranked New Zealand university in the latest report, QS World University Rankings announced on Wednesday.

Although it is ranked at top domestically, its ranking globally has dropped down the table for a third consecutive year, sliding three places to 88th in the world.

Meanwhile, on the ranking, all of New Zealand's eight universities were in the top 500 globally. Five advanced their positions from last year, whereas six dropped down the ranking.

The University of Otago was the second highest ranked New Zealand university on the list, at 176th globally.

Massey University saw the biggest improvement among New Zealand universities, jumping 45 places from 332nd to 287th.

Wellington's Victoria University was ranked at 215th and the University of Canterbury was just behind at 227th.

The University of Waikato moved up eight places to 266th, Lincoln University dropped from 317th to 356th and Auckland University of Technology came in at 442nd.