University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater, has indicated her intention to step down from her position after nearly six years in the role.
Professor Freshwater became the University’s first female Vice-Chancellor in March 2020 on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic. She successfully guided the University through a swift transition to online teaching, enabling domestic students and offshore international students to continue their studies.
University Chancellor, Cecilia Tarrant said Professor Freshwater had worked tirelessly in the face of extraordinary times for the tertiary education sector and will leave the University in a position of strength.
“Under Professor Freshwater’s leadership, the University has sustained its global positioning as a top-100 University (QS 65), maintained solid financials in an increasingly complex national and global context, increased domestic and international student numbers, and, in particular, seen significant growth in postgraduate students,” she said.
“During Covid-19, Professor Freshwater supported an extensive staff process to develop a new vision and strategy: Taumata Teitei Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025, which was updated in 2024. This launched a significant transformation agenda, which has been realised in the years since.
“We are grateful that Professor Freshwater has given us an extended notice period. This will allow the University to commence a full international search for a new Vice-Chancellor, while maintaining our momentum.’’
The University expects to formally farewell Professor Freshwater in the first half of next year.
