University leadership
Get to know the leaders steering the University of Waikato's vision and strategy.
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…
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…
Dr Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maori
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 Karin Bryan
Professor
I am an adjunct professor in the School of Science, and also a full professor at the University of Auckland (cross-appointed in the School of Environment and the Institute of Marine Sciences). I moved there after 22 years at the University of Waikato, and I still have strong collaborations, research programmes and doctoral students finishing at the Unive…
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…
Professor Patrick Leman
PVC Division Arts Law Psychology So
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.
Mr Matt Bolger
Pro Vice-Chancellor of 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 …