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 chief executive of WellingtonNZ.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith

Professor Nic Smith is the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington.

Pro-Chancellor Hon. Maryan Street

Maryan brings extensive governance acumen to the University Council with leadership experience inside and outside Parliament.

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.

Alan Judge

Alan Judge chairs the finance committee of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich

Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich is an elected staff representative on Council.

James Te Puni (Ngāti Porou)

James Te Puni (Ngāti Porou) is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Āhuru Mōwai and has been the Chair of Barnardos NZ since 2015.

Cath Nesus (Ngāti Porou)

Cath 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.

Richard Arnold

Professor Richard Arnold is an elected staff representative on Council.

Jaistone Finau

Jaistone Finau is an elected student representative on Council.

Kelly Mitchell

Kelly Mitchell is an elected student representative on Council.