Structure and membership
The University Council’s structure and membership profiles.
Chancellor Alan Judge
Alan Judge assumed the Chancellorship from 11 February 2025 following election by members of the University Council.
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.
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich is an elected staff representative on Council.
Megan Evans
Megan is a Litigation Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, with global experience in employment and public law.
Pania Gray (Ngāpuhi)—Pro-Chancellor
Pania assumed the role of Pro-Chancellor on 1 December 2025 following election to the position by members of the University Council.
Asifa Hanif
Asifa Hanif is an elected student representative on Council.
Mei Fern Johnson
Mei Fern Johnson is an internationally recognised lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience in business law, major projects, and public-private partnerships.
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.
James Te Puni (Ngāti Porou)
James Te Puni is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Āhuru Mōwai and has been on the board of Barnardos NZ since 2015.
David Smol
David Smol is the chair of GNS Science and is a director of Contact Energy, NZTA, and the Cooperative Bank.