The University Council oversees Massey from a governance perspective.
Constitution of Massey University 2024
How the Council operates
The functions of the University Council are:
- to appoint a chief executive in accordance with the Public Service Act 2020, and to monitor and evaluate the chief executive’s performance
- to prepare and submit a proposed plan if the institution is seeking funding under a funding mechanism that provides for funding via plans
- if the institution has a plan: to ensure that the institution is managed in accordance with that plan; and to determine policies to implement that plan
- to determine, subject to the Public Service Act 2020, the policies of the institution in relation to the management of its affairs
- to undertake planning relating to the institution’s long-term strategic direction.
Education and Training Act 2020 in relation to university councils
Massey Council structure
Council members
The Council is made up of 12 members and is headed by the Chair, who is:
- elected by the Council for a 1year term
- the ceremonial head of the university
- the Chancellor.
Council Chair / Chancellor
Alistair Davis
Vice-Chancellor
Pro Chancellor
Annually elected by the Council for a 1 year term.
Caren Rangi
Members appointed by the Minister
Current four Council members appointed for a 4 year term.
Ross Buckley
Angela Hauk-Willis
Mark Ratcliffe
Jo Davidson
Elected permanent member of academic staff
Current permanent academic staff member elected by academic staff for a 4 year term.
Distinguished Professor Gaven Martin
Elected permanent member of professional staff
Current permanent professional staff member elected by general staff for a 3 year term.
Rebecca Argyle
Elected student member
Current member elected by the students enrolled at the university for a 2 year term.
Michelle Matson
Members appointed by Council on nomination of the Vice-Chancellor
Current four members appointed by Council for a 4 year term.
Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae
Paul Brock
Alistair Davis
Caren Rangi
The University Council 2025
Back (L to R): Paul Brock, Rebecca Argyle, Alistair Davis, Angela Hauk-Willis, Mark Ratcliffe, Jo Davidson. Front (L to R): Ross Buckley, Jan Thomas, Michelle Matson and Gaven Martin. Absent: Caren Rangi and Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Council meeting dates
Part I of all Council meetings are open to the public, you are welcome to attend as an observer or request to present in open forum.
An open forum may be held at the commencement of the publicly available Part l session of any Council meeting. Members of the public may attend to address the meeting for up to five minutes on items.
Find more information about attending open forums
If you would like to attend Part I of a Council meeting, or present in Open Forum please contact governance@massey.ac.nz
2025
| Date | Day | Start time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 March | Thursday | 9am | Manawatū/online |
| 15 May | Thursday | 9am | Manawatū/online |
| 17 July | Thursday | 9am | Wellington/online |
| 18 September | Thursday | 9.30am | Auckland/online |
| 6 November (TBC) | Thursday | TBC | Manawatū/online |
| 4 December | Thursday | 9.00am | Manawatū/online |
Council meeting papers and agendas
Current
Past meetings
If you would like papers from earlier meetings, please contact governance@massey.ac.nz
Council sub-committees
The University Council has 3 sub-committees:
- Academic Board
- Finance and Assurance Committee
- People and Culture Committee
Council and committee contact
Governance Advisor
Governance and Assurance team
Contact the Governance and Assurance office for governance enquiries or more information about Council and Committee meetings.
Contact Massey
Massey University New Zealand
- Hours
8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
- contact@massey.ac.nz
- Free phone inside New Zealand
- Phone outside New Zealand
- Text
5222
- Web chat
- Fax
+64 6 350 5618
Related content
Public participation at meetings
Find out how you can participate in the public forum for the next Council or Academic Board meeting.
Strategy & charter
Read key te Tiriti o Waitangi elements in the Massey University Strategy and about our charter development.
Policies, procedures & guidelines
This page lists Massey's policies, procedures and guidelines.
Expertise search
Use out expertise search to find staff at Massey.