Victoria University of Wellington pays tribute to former Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has paid tribute to University of Auckland Emeritus Professor Stuart McCutcheon who died on Friday 6 January.

Stuart McCutcheon

Professor McCutcheon was Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington for four years in the early 2000s, until his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland in 2005. He held the role of VC at Auckland for 15 years until his retirement in 2020.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington Professor Jennifer Windsor said Professor McCutcheon made a major contribution to the University during his time as Vice-Chancellor.

“Student enrolment increased, there was a marked financial recovery, and the establishment of new research centres. This included the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research relocating to our Kelburn campus and agreement to form a joint centre of excellence for the study of music with Massey University (now the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī at Victoria University of Wellington).”

The merger with the Wellington College of Education, to form a Faculty of Education within Victoria University of Wellington, was completed during Professor McCutcheon’s term as Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Windsor says “It was under Stuart’s watch that we also named our Wellington-based campuses—Karori; Kelburn; Te Aro; and Pipitea.

“Stuart was widely respected and was also a personal friend of many in the University community. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the McCutcheon family at this time.”

Incoming Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington, Professor Nic Smith, worked with Professor McCutcheon for many years. He says “Stuart made enormous contributions at Massey, Victoria, and Auckland universities but his influence also transcended individual institutions to leave an indelible mark on tertiary education as a whole in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“He was a remarkably clear thinker and a passionate advocate for the independence and importance of universities.

“Like many others who were lucky enough to work with Stuart, I will sorely miss his generous counsel, perceptive insights and unfailingly good (and often self-deprecating) humour.”

Nic Smith takes up the role of Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington on 16 January 2023.

Read more about Stuart McCutcheon’s contribution on the University of Auckland website.