Distinguished Alumni
Every two years we acknowledge a number of our top-achieving alumni. Congratulations to our 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients.

Pamela Bell—BArch 2003, MArch 2009
Pamela Bell is the founder and former chief executive of PrefabNZ, and is one of New Zealand’s leading advocates for sustainable innovative building methods.

Rob Campbell—BA 1972, BA(Hons) 1974
Rob Campbell is a professional business director and an advocate for more equitable and responsible practices in business management.

Whaimutu Dewes, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Rangitihi—BA 1975, LLB 1977, MPA 1988
Whaimutu Dewes is a prominent business leader, particularly in the seafood industry, and a strong advocate for Māori economic development.

Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, Sa Petaia, Sa Te’o, and Sa Atoa—BA 1974, BA(Hons) 1977, MA 1982
Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop is a trailblazing Pasifika academic and an expert in a range of Pacific development issues.

Dr Alexander Gerst—MSc 2003
Dr Alexander Gerst is a highly regarded volcanologist and astronaut, who has undertaken two missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

Judge Carolyn Henwood—LLB 1971
Judge Carolyn Henwood has had a distinguished career as a judge of the District Court and Youth Court, and as a prominent supporter of the arts.

Previous recipients
Victoria University of Wellington graduates have gone on to do incredible things. See who has won a Distinguished Alumni Award in recent years.