University leadership
Get to know the leaders steering the University of Waikato's vision and strategy. To contact any of our leaders please email vco@waikato.ac.nz
Professor Neil Quigley
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Quigley was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato in early 2015. Professor Quigley has previously held positions at Victoria University of Wellington, where he was at different times Professor of Economics, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Provost, and at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, where he was Professor of…
Professor Alister Jones
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor Jones amongst other things, leads on international engagement and delivery with a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific regions, including development of offshore programmes and campuses. A former Dean of Education and Research Professor, he has had a long involvement in international education and has built educational research capability in a numb…
Associate Professor Tracy Bowell
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic (Acting)
I am currently Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning, a role that I have held for the past 7 years. Prior to this, I was a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Associate Dean Academic in the (then) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. I completed my BA (Hons) at the University of Sussex and my MPhil and PhD at the universities of Cambridge and Auckland,…
Dr Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori
He uri tēnei nō Te Rarawa ki Hokianga, Waikato ki Ngāti Haua, me he whāngai ki a Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao. My iwi affiliations connect me to the Far North of Hokianga, to Ngāti Haua in Waikato and I also have whāngai connections to the iwi of Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Pikiao.
While my disciplinary background is Māori Studies much of my research work has been a…
While my disciplinary background is Māori Studies much of my research work has been a…
Professor Gary Wilson
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research
Professor Wilson was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Research. Professor Wilson has held a number of national- and international-level strategic research and academic appointments. Prior to the University of Waikato, he was Chief Scientist and General Manager Research Strategy and Partnerships at GNS Science. He also previously held the role of Chief Sc…
Professor Patrick Leman
Pro Vice-Chancellor Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences
I am a developmental social psychologist, and my research explores how social relationships and wider social context influences children's and adolescents' understanding of themselves and others, and their acquisition of knowledge. I have active research interests also in the arts and psychology, mental health, and adults' epistemological understanding.
Professor Claire McLachlan
Pro Vice-Chancellor Education
Claire McLachlan is the Pro Vice Chancellor, Education at the University of Waikato. She was previously the Executive Dean, Institute of Education, Arts and Community at Federation University in Victoria, Australia. Claire has published 10 books, has over 200 research outputs, and has received over $7 million in research, consultancy and curriculum devel…
Professor Geoffrey Holmes
Pro Vice-Chancellor Health, Engineering, Computing and Science
I am the Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science. Prior to my appointment to this role in 2019 I was Dean of the then Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences here at Waikato.
Mr Matt Bolger
Pro Vice-Chancellor Management
Matt joined the University of Waikato in 2020 as Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Waikato Management School / Te Raupapa.
Prior to joining the university Matt held a variety of senior roles in New Zealand's largest company, the multi-national dairy co-operative Fonterra. Matt's work with Fonterra ranged from corporate strategy and financial structuring, to …
Prior to joining the university Matt held a variety of senior roles in New Zealand's largest company, the multi-national dairy co-operative Fonterra. Matt's work with Fonterra ranged from corporate strategy and financial structuring, to …
Mr Jim Mercer
Chief Operating Officer
Jim was appointed Chief Operating Officer in June 2018. He leads the Corporate Services Group, which encompasses Finance, Information Technology Services, Property & Infrastructure, Campus Operations, Planning Performance & Analytics, and Legal Services.
In his role as COO, Jim is responsible for shaping the University’s financial strategy, enterprise r…
In his role as COO, Jim is responsible for shaping the University’s financial strategy, enterprise r…