Welcome pōwhiri for Vice Chancellor Professor Nic Smith
Watch on YouTubeVideo summary
The video introduces Professor Nic Smith as he assumes his new role as Vice Chancellor at Auckland University, marking a significant return to an institution where he has previously served as an undergraduate student, postgraduate researcher, lecturer, and dean. Although this is not his first time on campus, the event holds special meaning given that his father once worked there, adding a personal layer of connection to his appointment. The ceremony begins with a traditional pōwhiri welcoming ritual, which includes a haka performed by the Māori and Pacific Engineering Group; notably, Smith himself participated in this performance since he wrote it during his earlier tenure at the university, symbolizing both respect for past contributions and excitement for future leadership.
In defining the scope of his new responsibilities, Professor Smith explains that while the Vice Chancellor functions similarly to a chief executive officer within a corporate structure, their role extends deeply into academic strategy and research direction. His primary mission is to foster a culture built on trust and aspiration among the university's talented community, ensuring that innovative ideas can flourish and contribute meaningfully to society. He emphasizes that this leadership position requires balancing administrative duties with the crucial task of guiding the institution toward important goals related to education quality, environmental stewardship, and national well-being.
Looking forward, Smith highlights several critical areas where the university must focus its efforts for future generations, including protecting the environment, advancing the education of children (tamariki), and improving public health across New Zealand. He expresses enthusiasm about how Auckland University will leverage its unique position to make a tangible difference in these vital spaces. By connecting his personal history with the institution's broader mission, he frames this appointment not just as an administrative change but as a continuation of a legacy that aims to inspire students, staff, and the wider community through shared values and ambitious academic pursuits.
Read the full video transcript
We are delighted today to be having the
special [music] pawhiri welcoming our
new Vice Chancellor Professor Nick
Smith.
>> Even though Nick has been at Auckland
University before, this is his return in
a very special role.
>> My father used to work here. I was an
undergraduate, I was a postgraduate,
[music] I came as a lecturer, I was a
dean, and and now to come as Vice
Chancellor is both humbling and also
exciting. [music]
>> The Vice Chancellor is the equivalent of
a chief executive in a company, [music]
but they're also responsible for the
academic and research strategy and
making sure [music] that we move forward
and meet some of those really important
goals.
>> My main function is to create a culture
of trust and aspiration across a
talented community and support the
extraordinary things that emerge.
>> Here the Maori and Pacific Engineering
Group performed a haka that was written
in Nick's time.
He knows how to perform that haka, so
that just was a very special reminder on
what he'd done here before and thinking
about what he can do into the future.
>> We need to hold on to the things that
are going to be important [music]
to the next generation, how we protect
our environment, how we advance the
education of our tamariki, how we
improve the health of the nation. Those
are big questions which the university
is uniquely positioned for.
And I'm excited about the difference
that Waipapa [music] Taumata Rau will
make in those spaces.