Call for expressions of interest for an appointment to Council

The University of Auckland Council (Council) is the governing body of the University.

Under section 2(a) of the Council Appointments Statute 2023, Council invites expressions of interest from persons who consider they meet the attributes required to fill one or more of the following four positions on Council:

• One person, being Māori and able to advise Council on issues relevant to Māori
• One person, being an alumnus of the University of Auckland
  • This means they have been awarded a qualification by one of the following:
    • The University of Auckland
    • The Auckland College of Education
    • The Auckland College of the University of New Zealand
• Two persons being able to provide skills specified by Council

Deadline

The closing date for expressions of interest is 5pm on Friday 25 July 2025.

Māori position

The University is seeking applicants of New Zealand Māori descent able to advise Council on issues relevant to Māori. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate governance and/or executive leadership experience and an understanding of the issues facing the University today.

Alumni position

The University is seeking applications from alumni who have demonstrated a connection, and commitment, to the University, and wish to further contribute to the University through the Council. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate governance and/or executive leadership experience. Applicants must be alumni of the University.

Skills positions

The University is seeking applicants to fill two positions on Council for members with specified skills. In terms of the specified skills, the University is seeking applicants with strong finance skills and experience in dealing with large organisations. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate strong governance and/or executive leadership experience.

Council seeks members who can contribute to the University in some or all of these areas:

Relevant to all positions:

Teaching and research

• Understanding of, and commitment to, academic freedom and institutional autonomy
• Understanding of excellence in education, training and research
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues faced by students
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues faced by various relevant communities,  particularly those that are under-represented among the students and staff of the institution

Community understanding

• Understanding of and sensitivity to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
• Understanding of and sensitivity to equity issues
• Understanding of what constitutes the public interest

Management skills

• HR/senior executive appointment experience
• Institutional strategic and operational planning
• High level organisational management
• Assessment of institutional policies
• High level finance and governance (opex and capex)

Reflecting the diversity of the community served

• Ethnic diversity
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Gender balance 
  

Additional requirement for appointment under section 3(b) of the constitution

• Māori applicants must be of New Zealand Māori descent, and able to advise Council on issues relevant to Māori

• Very strong finance and accounting skills and experience with large organisations
• Governance experience with large complex organisations

The appointments will be:

• For a term of up to four years, commencing 1 January 2026 for the person, being Māori and able to advise Council on issues relevant to Māori
• For a term of up to four years, commencing 8 September 2025 for: 
  • The person, being an alumnus of the University of Auckland 
  • The two persons being able to provide skills specified by Council

Submission

Expressions of interest, on the form provided on the website, should be emailed to Wendy Verschaeren, University Committee Executive at w.verschaeren@auckland.ac.nz.

Forms

Further information about Appointments to the University of Auckland Council.

Council Appointments Statute

Council Appointments Procedures  

The duties and functions of university councils are detailed in the Education and Training Act 2020.

Further information about University Council.