This paper reviews and critically evaluates recent reforms in higher education in New Zealand. It assesses the impact of the reforms on the social status of higher education and their impact on the reproduction of inequality. To help theorise possible forms of social inclusion and exclusion that might result from the reforms, the paper draws upon recent neo-Weberian sociology of education. The paper concludes that by reducing access to higher education and concentrating funding for research in the universities, the recent reforms can be seen as an attempt to create a more elitist system of higher education. (Contains 4 notes.)