Structure and membership
The University Council’s structure and membership profiles.
Chancellor John Allen
John Allen assumed the Chancellorship on 1 January 2022. He is the chief executive of WellingtonNZ.
Pro-Chancellor Hon. Maryan Street
Maryan brings extensive governance acumen to the University Council with leadership experience inside and outside Parliament.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith
Professor Nic Smith is the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington.
Professor Richard Arnold
Professor Richard Arnold is an elected staff representative on Council.
William Bell-Purchas
William Bell-Purchas is an elected student representative on Council. His term starts on 1 January 2024.
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich is an elected staff representative on Council.
Jaistone Finau
Jaistone Finau is an elected student representative on Council. His term ends on 31 December 2023.
Pania Gray (Ngāpuhi)
Pania Gray is the Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and a board member of the New Zealand Film Commission.
Alan Judge
Alan Judge chairs the finance committee of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
David McLean
David has had a career as a lawyer and a banker and is a member of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women.
Kelly Mitchell
Kelly Mitchell is an elected student representative on Council.
Cath Nesus (Ngāti Porou)
Cath Nesus chairs the Te Aka Matua Committee. She has worked both as a senior public servant and as a consultant, providing advice to support Māori development.
James Te Puni (Ngāti Porou)
James Te Puni is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Āhuru Mōwai and has been the Chair of Barnardos NZ since 2015.