NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Iran's embassy has our Government in its sights and Air New Zealand says a reset is needed | Thursday, February 26, 2026
Victoria University of Wellington vice-chancellor Nic Smith has announced he is stepping down from his role in the capital’s university to take up the same position at the University of Auckland.
“Serving Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Smith said.
“I have deeply valued the relationships, conversations and shared purpose within this community, and I will miss working with you.”
Victoria spent five months recruiting domestically and internationally for a vice-chancellor before hiring Smith in January 2023.
His most recently reported total pay package at the uni was $619,000.
His two most recent predecessors, Grant Guilford and Pat Walsh, served as vice-chancellors for 12 years and nine years, respectively.
“It is very sad to see him go,” students’ association president Aidan Donoghue told the Herald.
“It’s a loss for Victoria, but I’m sure it’s a really good gain for Auckland.”
Donoghue said Smith came into the vice-chancellor role during “quite a tumultuous time” and had to make “tough decisions that didn’t always curry favours” to try to help the university’s financial position.
He said while he and Smith “did not always agree” with each other, Smith made “a really good impression” in their short time together.
“When he has made a mistake, he owned up to it and then corrected that in the future,” Donoghue said.
“For whoever replaces him, our expectations are that we continue that really good working relationship with the university.”
The university said a recruitment process to find Smith’s replacement would begin immediately.
Outgoing Victoria vice-chancellor Nic Smith.
Smith said Victoria was “special” because it was a place where people with diverse views would vigorously debate and connect despite their differences, which was “something our society needs now more than ever”.
He said the decision to leave had not been “easy”.
Victoria University of Wellington chancellor Alan Judge said Smith worked closely with the university to achieve financial stability and made the most of the opportunities that come with being located in the capital city.
Smith said domestic and international enrolments had stabilised, which was very important for the university’s long-term sustainability.
“Under his leadership, the university has enjoyed a positive reputation, and he has left the university in a good space for future leaders to build on,” Judge said.
Victoria University says a recruitment process to find Nic Smith’s replacement will begin immediately. Photo / RNZ
The Tertiary Education Union welcomed the news that Nic Smith would be joining the University of Auckland and looked forward to meeting with him, national secretary Amy Ross said.
She told the Herald that Smith “understands the issues for those working in our universities” and “demonstrated a willingness to engage with union members and their concerns and issues”.
“This year we require strong advocacy from all parts of the tertiary sector to fix underfunding that [has] meant too many people don’t have secure jobs or certainty about how they can progress.”
