Dawn Freshwater reflects on six years as vice-chancellor

When I arrived at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, I was full of enthusiasm, intention and ambition.

It quickly became clear, however, that I had arrived at a particularly complex moment in the life of the University. I had only met a small number of colleagues face to face before the pandemic changed how we worked, taught and connected. It was not quite the beginning I had imagined and, as I have said before, I might have packed more had I known what lay ahead.

Yet what followed revealed something important about this university and its people. There was a shared sense of purpose and a remarkable collective effort to keep things moving. That experience showed us what we were capable of and set the tone for everything that followed. It shaped how we worked together and what we achieved together as a University community.

It also gave us a clearer sense of where we were heading next. This was reflected in the development of Taumata Teitei: Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2028, drawing on the ideas and contributions of staff and students across the University. At its core is a commitment to pursuing excellence, even in the face of uncertainty. It has brought a stronger focus on sustainability, the value of our work and ensuring that what we do remains relevant to the communities we serve.

You can see this in the strength of the University today. Our research continues to grow in quality and impact, supported by greater collaboration and a focus on areas where we can make a meaningful difference. We have reinforced our position as a leading university, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

We have also continued to invest in the student experience, including new and upgraded spaces such as Hiwa Recreation Centre, B201 and Old Choral Hall. These play an important role in how students engage on campus, and it has been particularly rewarding to see them come to life.

We began Semester One this year with record enrolments, marking renewed growth in our student community. That is a strong signal of the confidence in what we have built.

Just as important has been the way we have strengthened our partnerships beyond the University. Over the past six years, we have built meaningful relationships by working alongside business, government and community organisations.

Our partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, through our Kōtuitanga, has been central to this. I am grateful for the guidance and support they have provided, and for the role they continue to play in shaping how we think about our place and responsibilities as a university. Together, these partnerships have extended what the University can offer and how we contribute to the city and the country.

Change will continue to shape the environment in which universities operate, just as it has over the past six years. Advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies are already shaping how we teach, learn and undertake research. These changes matter, but they are not the answer to everything, and they do not replace what is most important.

Connection will remain at the heart of what we do. Having experienced a time when we were not always able to gather in person, we are reminded of the importance of being able to connect with each other directly and to share experiences in ways that cannot be replicated digitally. Universities are places where that happens every day.

It has been a privilege to serve as vice-chancellor of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. I have always seen this role as one of stewardship, building on what came before and working alongside others to help shape its next chapter.

What we have achieved has been a collective effort. It reflects the commitment, care and ambition of our staff, our students and our wider University community.

As I leave, I do so with confidence in the future of the University. What we have built together provides a strong foundation for what comes next.

Ngā mihi nui
Dawn

Professor Dawn Freshwater
Vice-Chancellor