Abstract pattern in green, grey, and white.

Explore leadership

Good leadership is our future. As New Zealand’s capital city university, we offer many opportunities for you to get involved and develop your leadership potential.

Leaders at our heart

Top school of government

We boast New Zealand's only School of Government, with close connections to Parliament.

Leadership programme

Around 1,500 students take part in our free Wellington International Leadership Programme each year.

Inspiring change

Our annual Leadership Week empowers young people to generate ideas, set the agenda, and make change.

What is leadership video

Watch our experts

Study options for leaders

Leadership is strongly connected to government, politics, and business—but good leadership is important in all parts of life. Develop your leadership skills, your confidence, and your vision for a better future in a subject you care about.

Student in pharmacy holding a health textbook.

Bachelor of Health

Follow your passion for improving people's health and wellbeing and make a real difference in the community.
Pipitea campus opposite the Beehive, NZ's government buildings

Bachelor of Arts

Study politics and international relations in the political capital of New Zealand, close to Parliament, national archives, and foreign embassies.
Master of Professional Management

Bachelor of Commerce

Get a strong foundation in private business and public administration and gain skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership.

Master of Indigenous Studies

Explore indigenous perspectives on sustainable development, resource management, governance, language, education, economics, or science.

Master of International Trade

Gain an edge for success in the global community with multidisciplinary study, and discover the complex world of international trade.

Master of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

A one-of-a-kind degree that combines three complementary disciplines to give you a broad understanding of the world and social decision-making.
Explore more programmes
Portrait of Rawinia Higgins.

It’s not about us. It’s about the world that I’m going to shape for my grandchildren. Will I be a good ancestor?

Dr Rawinia Higgins

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori)

Leadership in action 

A woman with dark hair stands facing the camera, smiling.

Revitalising a language

Dr Rawinia Higgins is at the forefront of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native language revitalisation.
Close up of a Māori waka (canoe) with a warrior sculpture pulling on a rope.

Promoting Indigenous knowledge

Dr Ocean Mercier discusses how can we use Indigenous knowledge to create a richer, deeper picture than Western science can provide alone.
Looking through a fence at the front of a dark and grey prison building

Reinventing justice

How can we transform a broken justice system? Dr Lizzy Stanley explores systemic changes that can have a big impact.
Rutherford House set against a blue sky.

Capital city connections

Study in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, and benefit from our strong connections to leaders in government, industry, and national organisations.

Explore Wellington

Find out more