The new Council results from a legislative change, which requires universities and wananga to decrease the size of their councils to a maximum of 12 members.
“The Council membership reflects the demographic that we work in and serve,” says Sir Neville. “We have a diverse and effective team in place to help ensure Victoria achieves its ambitious strategic goals and grows in both size and influence.”
Sir Neville says he is proud of the process run at Victoria to determine the Council’s new membership, which he describes as “robust, unique and inclusive”.
A range of stakeholders, including staff, students, alumni, friends and supporters of Victoria, participated in consultation to determine a new structure. Elections were held for the two staff and two student positions. In addition there was a public process for seeking nominations for external members.
“Our new Council has the knowledge, skills and experience needed to serve the University and its stakeholders extremely well over the next decade.”
Members of the 2016 Council are:
Sir Neville Jordan KNZM—Sir Neville, the current Chancellor, is a Wellington investor and adviser in science/technology. Executive Chair of his company, Endeavour Capital and Past President Royal Society NZ.
Neil Paviour-Smith—Neil Paviour-Smith is Managing Director of Forsyth Barr and a director of the New Zealand Exchange and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Dame Patsy Reddy DNZM—Dame Patsy Reddy is Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission and Education Payroll Ltd and also a chief Crown negotiator for Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
Dame Therese Walsh DNZM—Dame Therese Walsh is a sports administrator who was the Chief Operating Officer for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and head of the organising committee for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Professor Grant Guilford—Grant Guilford is Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington.
Professor Maryanne Garry—Maryanne Garry is a Professor in Victoria University’s School of Psychology.
Associate Professor Kate Hunter—Kate Hunter is an Associate Professor in Victoria University’s School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations.
Jonathan Gee—Jonathan Gee is the 2016 President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA).
Jacinta Gulasekharam—Jacinta Gulasekharam is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce and is actively involved in Victoria’s student association.
Roger Taylor MNZM—Roger Taylor, a former financial consulting partner with Ernst and Young and an experienced director, chairs the current Victoria University Council Finance Committee.
Robyn Bargh CNZM (Te Arawa)—Robyn Bargh is an experienced director and the founder and former Managing Director of Huia Publishers.
Farib Sos MNZM—Farib Sos has substantial educational and business experience in both the private and public sectors in sectors ranging from energy and resources to health and the environment.