Student election
Students elect a new representative on the University Council each year for a two-year term. View the results of the 2025 election.
Two student members of the University Council are elected by their fellow students. The student representatives serve overlapping two-year terms, which means that there is an election every year.
Declaration of result
The result of the 2025 student election that closed at 5 pm on 15 August 2025 is:
CandidateVotes received
BELL-PURCHAS, William1,058
CAMPBELL, Mairangi482
KINGSFORD, Ben394
GRAVES, Rachel231
WALLACE, Max148
BRAR, Navi112
ZAKARIA, Pangeran103
DHEL, Ahtong59
PAIKEA-WENTWORTH, Hayze41
TONKIN, Jack40
INFORMAL0
BLANK4
I therefore declare William Bell-Purchas to be the successful candidate in this year’s student election. William will be appointed by Council to a two-year term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027 at its meeting to be held on 8 September 2025.
The voter return was 13.77%, being 2,672 votes cast from 19,403 eligible electors.
Dated at Wellington this 15th day of August 2025.
Caroline Ward
Returning Officer—Victoria University of Wellington
Election procedure
The election has been conducted in accordance with the Council Membership Statute (PDF) and the Council Elections Procedure (PDF).
To find out more
For more information, contact the Returning Officer.
Caroline Ward
Secretary to Council
Vice-Chancellor's Office