Over the last 12 months Professor Judyth Sachs has interviewed all eight Vice Chancellors of New Zealand's universities for Studiosity's podcast, 'Reimagining Higher Education'. This series of interviews reveals a sector deeply engaged in re-evaluating its purpose and adapting to a rapidly changing world.
These leaders are grappling with significant challenges, from financial pressures and the changing demands of students and employers to the profound impact of technology and a shifting social landscape. Their collective insights provide a clear picture of the opportunities and obstacles facing higher education in New Zealand.
"I really essentially fell in love with the power of a university, in terms of its capacity to build a nation." - Professor Jan Thomas, VC of Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
"What drives me is my absolute belief in the transformative power of education." - Professor Cheryl de la Rey, VC of University of Canterbury
The changing nature of learning, and the role of the University
A key theme across all interviews is the need to redefine the educational experience. The Vice Chancellors recognise that simply delivering the content is no longer enough; universities must foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of belonging.
As Professor Nic Smith of Victoria University of Wellington puts it,
"We should be the force for binding people together, for bringing humility and respect and evidence and understanding. But we can't do it the way we've always done it. We have to do it in different ways. And I think that's a huge challenge and opportunity for us at a strategic level.".
The traditional model of a didactic lecture is being challenged, with a greater emphasis on providing a holistic, transdisciplinary, and experiential education. Lincoln University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Grant Edwards, highlighted the importance of practical experience, such as internships and work-integrated learning, as a key part of student development.
"Without curiosity learning is very difficult, you know, as every teacher knows when you have a curious student then the journey is very easy and you're sort of a guide." - Professor Damon Salesa, Auckland University of Technology
The impact and opportunity of AI
The rapid rise of AI in higher education and beyond is viewed as both a major challenge and a transformative opportunity. New Zealand's Vice Chancellors acknowledge the threats AI poses to traditional assessment methods and the potential for it to diminish students' motivation to build foundational knowledge. However, they are not shying away from it. Instead, they see AI as a tool for both productivity and learning.
The consensus is that universities must adapt by focusing on skills that AI cannot replicate, such as creativity and critical analysis. They are committed to using AI to enhance the student experience, for instance, through personalised learning and more relevant examples in teaching. The University of Auckland's Vice Chancellor, Prof Dawn Freshwater, believes universities have a role to play in navigating the "post-truth crisis" by leading with integrity and purpose and a relentless pursuit of truth.
"Content and discipline knowledge is important, but it's not the be all and end all. Having that relational curriculum and preparing our students to be civilised in a future that may appear to be becoming even more uncivilised with AI and technology and all of the things that we're dealing with - so critical thinking, empathy, judgement skills, moral reasoning, how to use data to inform decisions - there's a lot that we have to do as part of the education to prepare students." - Prof Dawn Freshwater, VC of the University of Auckland
Rising to the challenge of funding and policy
Another recurring theme is the significant financial pressure facing the sector. The university leaders note that universities are collectively forecasting deficits for the first time in history, driven by inflation and declining domestic and international student enrolments.
"...it's about securing social licence... it's making sure that we're meeting the needs of industry and employers." - Professor Damon Salesa, VC of AUT
The government's new initiatives, including a new Tertiary Education Strategy and a simplified research funding model, are aimed at modernising the sector. There is a continuous need to balance public investment with the long-term value of education and research. This is reflected in the comments of Professor Neil Quigley from The University of Waikato , who notes that the government controls approximately 80% of university income and that funding has not kept pace with inflation. Prof Grant Edwards also highlighted that a university’s financial sustainability is challenged by funding limits, despite the desire to increase student numbers.
A return to foundational values
Despite the external pressures, there is a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to core university values. These leaders believe in the enduring mission of the university as an "anchor institution" for society. They emphasise the university's role as a "critic and conscience of society" and as a place for intellectual debate and the preservation of New Zealand's cultural heritage.
"I feel that the students I'm meeting are much less, you know, one qualification focused, they're quite purpose driven." - Hon Grant Robertson, University of Otago
The Importance of People and Place
Across all the interviews consistently, there is a return to the human element. The Vice Chancellors stress the importance of fostering a sense of community, listening to students and staff, and building trust. They also speak passionately about the unique role their institutions play in their local communities and the country as a whole. For Prof Damon Salesa of Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the university "is a university that lives and dies with the communities it serves, which are international, but also national, but especially here in Auckland". Lincoln University's VC Prof Grant Edwards mentioned his institution’s focus on the land-based sectors, which are vital to the New Zealand economy.
Hon Grant Robertson, a Dunedin native, described the University of Otago as his place to stand, a Māori concept known as Tūrangawaewae. He feels a strong responsibility to enhance an institution that played a significant role in his life and New Zealand's history. The leaders believe that a university's identity is inextricably linked to its physical location and the people who inhabit it, and that this sense of place is a key differentiator in a competitive national market.
This collection of interviews reveals a sector in a state of flux, yet one guided by a clear sense of their own purpose and mission. The Vice Chancellors of New Zealand are not just managing institutions; they are reimagining them to be resilient, relevant, and responsive to the needs of a new generation and a changing society.
- Follow Studiosity's podcast 'Reimagining Higher Education' on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The episodes with these New Zealand leaders can be found here:
- Prof Cheryl de la Rey, VC of University of Canterbury
- Prof Damon Salesa, VC of AUT
- Prof Dawn Freshwater, VC of the University of Auckland
- Prof Grant Edwards, VC of Lincoln University
- Hon Grant Robertson, VC of University of Otago
- Prof Jan Thomas, VC of Massey University
- Prof Neil Quigley, VC of the University of Waikato
- Prof Nic Smith, VC of Victoria University of Wellington
