Massey University chancellor Chris Kelly steps down after comments criticised as sexist

Chris Kelly has resigned after he said a female veterinary graduate was worth only "two-fifths"of a full-time veterinarian. Photo / File

Massey University's chancellor will step down from the role following his comments that a female veterinary graduate was worth only "two-fifths"of a full-time veterinarian.

Chris Kelly's comments, published last week, have been criticised as sexist, outdated and insulting.

He told Rural News that a female graduate was less of a vet because she had to take time out for marriage and family. He has since apologised via Twitter.

Massey Chancellor Chris Kelly has today advised the University that he intends to step down from his position https://t.co/7IG4RHbfML

— Massey University (@MasseyUni) December 14, 2016

The university announced today that Kelly had advised the university he would step down, effective immediately.

Kelly said his decision followed media coverage of his comments.

"Having had time to carefully consider the views of many staff, students and stakeholders, I believe that it is in the interests of the University that I step aside," he said.

Kelly had told Rural News that when he went through vet school it was dominated by men.

"Today it's dominated by women.

"That's fine, but the problem is one woman graduate is equivalent to two-fifths of a full-time equivalent vet throughout her life because she gets married and has a family, which is normal.

"So, although we're graduating a lot of vets, we're getting a high fall-out rate later on."

Kelly is a Massey University graduate who worked as a veterinarian and for 12 years headed the state-owned enterprise Landcorp before his retirement in 2013.

He has been a member of the Massey University Council since 2005 and Chancellor since 2014. The chancellor chairs the University Council, which is responsible for governance of the University.

In the Queen's Birthday Honours this year he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to agriculture.