"Tumu Whakarae - Vice-Chancellor"

Job Description:

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is one of the most distinctive research-intensive universities in the Southern Hemisphere, defined by academic excellence, civic purpose, and its unique role at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand’s capital city. With the marae at its heart and a longstanding commitment to scholarship, equity, and public service, the University plays a vital role in shaping national conversations and contributing globally through research, teaching, and collaboration.

The University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to serve as its next Tumu Whakarae - Vice-Chancellor. This is a rare opportunity to lead a globally respected institution that is well advanced in its clear and ambitious strategic trajectory. Reporting to Council and working closely with Te Hiwa, the Vice-Chancellor will provide intellectual, strategic, and operational leadership to ensure the successful execution of the University’s strategy and the continued strengthening of its academic standing, societal contribution, and global reputation.

The successful candidate will be a distinguished academic with a demonstrated record of impactful leadership within a complex tertiary environment. They will bring the strategic capability and organisational leadership required to guide the University through a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, ensuring academic excellence while positioning the institution for long-term success and sustainability.

Financial stewardship and organisational performance will be central to the role. The Vice-Chancellor will demonstrate strong commercial judgement and acumen, ensuring the University’s financial sustainability while enabling investment in strategic priorities. They will also be an accomplished and authentic ambassador, able to build enduring relationships with government, Māori partners, industry, alumni, donors, and international collaborators, strengthening the University’s influence and impact.

As Tumu Whakarae - Vice-Chancellor, you will inspire and enable a diverse and high-performing community, champion innovation in research and education, and uphold the values of a public-spirited university which has committed to realising the opportunities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to further advance the University. You will lead with integrity, intellectual authority, and vision, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and ambition. This is a defining leadership opportunity that will shape the future of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading universities and advance its contribution to knowledge, society, and the world.

How to apply: Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington will be supported in this appointment by the executive search firm The Insight Group. If you wish to discuss this role further in confidence and to submit your application please contact Dr Rohan Carr or Ms Emily Witts by phone: +61 3 9654 3288, or email: applications@insightgroup.com.au.

Close date for vacancy: Midnight NZT Friday 03 April 2026.

Tumu Whakarae
Te Herenga Waka
Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa

Ko Te Herenga Waka tētahi o ngā whare wānanga taumata rau ki te tuakoi tonga o te ao, He whare wānaga e tohu ana i te kounga o te mātauranga, i te kura whakaaro ki te tōnuitanga o te hapori, i runga i tāna noho ki te iho o te tāone matua o Aotearoa. Nā te noho o te marae ki te iho o te whare wānanga me te ngākaunui ki ngā mātauranga, ki te mana taurite me te taunaki i te pāpori. Ka noho mahurangi te whare wānanga ki te tārei i ngā kōrero ā-motu me te takoha i te kura whakaaro ki te ao whānui mā roto mai i te rangahau, ako me te mahitahi.

Kei te kimi te whare wānanga i tētahi manu whititua kia tū hei Tumu Whakarae. He uaua te kite i tēnei momo tūranga e tuwhera ana, arā, ki te ārahi i tētahi wānanga kauanuanu e māro nei tana kōkiri i tana rautaki i tōna ara. Ka mahi te Tumu Whakarae mō te Rūnanga, ā, ka mahi tahi me Te Hiwa ki te tuku punenga mātauranga, rautaki me te taurima i ngā mahi e eke ai te mahere rautaki a te whare wānanga ki te whakapakari haere i ōna mātauranga, tautoko anō hoki i te hapori me te whakaū i tōna rongo puta noa ki te ao.

He manu whititua mātauranga te tangata ka tohua, inā, e kitea nei tāna whakapuaki i tōna hautipua i roto i te ao o te whare wānanga. Ka tōia mai e ia ōna pukenga me ōna mōhiotanga ki ngā mahi hei arataki i te whare wānanga ki roto i ngā takahuritanga o te ao mātauranga e mau tonu ai i ngā mātauranga whakahirahira me te whakaū i te whare wānanga kia toitū ai tōna koiora.

Mātua ia ki tēnei tūranga ko te taurima i te māramatanga ki te taha tahua pūtea me te whakataki kaupapa mahi. Ka taea e te Tumu Whakarae ki te whakaraupapa i tōna maia ki te noho ki tā te kanohi hōmiromiro mo te taha arumoni, arā, e mauri tau ai te noho o te tahua pūtea o te whare wānanga, nōna, e kōkiri ana i te taha arumoni ki ngā rautaki matua. Hei tāpiri atu, he māngai manawa toa ia e taea ai te manaaki i te korakora o te ahi ki te taha o te kāwanatanga, hoa Māori, ahumahi, kāhui ākonga o mua, kaituku koha me te mahi tahi me nga mea o tāwahi ki te whakapakari i te whakahirahiratanga o te whare wānanga.

I a koe ka noho hei Tumu Whakarae ka riro māu e whakahihiko i te hapori kanorau, whakataki i ngā rangahau auaha me te ako, ā, ki te pupuri i ngā iho matua o te whare wānanga i raro i ngā kura huna o Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki te kōkiri whakamua i te whare wānanga. ka noho koe ki te arataki i te whare wānanga i runga i te pono, mana mātauranga me te ngākau arotahi, hei poipoi i te ahurea whakamana i te kounga o ngā mahi, mahi tauawhi i te tangata me te whakaea wawata. He kōwhiringa tēnei hei tārei i te anamata o tētahi o ngā whare wānanga whakaihuwaka o Aotearoa, inā rā, kia kōkiri i tōna tāpaetanga ki te ao mātauranga, pāpori, ā, tae noa ki te ao whānui.

Mō ngā āhuatanga e pā ana ki tēnei tūranga kei te tautokotia a Te Herenga Waka e te rōpū The Insight Group. Mehemea e piranga ana koe ki te matapaki tūmata whāiti i ngā āhuatanga o tēnei tūranga me te tono mō te tūranga nei whakapā atu ki a Dr Rohan Carr, Ms Emily Witts rānei mā te waea: +61 3 9654 3288, Īmērā: applications@insightgroup.com.au.

Ka katia te tono mō tēnei tūranga ā waenganui pō NZT Paraire 3 o Aperira 2026.