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.
Pro-Chancellor Hon. Maryan Street MNZM
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.
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich
Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich is an elected staff representative on Council.
Pania Gray (Ngāpuhi)
Pania Gray is the independent chair of privately-held Education Services Limited.
Asifa Hanif
Asifa Hanif is an elected student representative on Council.
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.
David Smol
David Smol is the chair of GNS Science and is a director of Contact Energy, NZTA, and the Cooperative Bank.
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.