With the demise of the UNZ in 1961, it became "Massey College", part of Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). In 1960 a branch of VUW was established in Palmerston North to teach students by distance education, known as extramural study. In 1963 this branch amalgamated with Massey College to form "Massey University College of Manawatu", and on 25 September, the Massey University Act 1963 made it an independent university as "Massey University of Manawatu", with its present name being adopted in 1966.