THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO
Council: 16 March 2016
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 10 December 2015 (Part 1)
Present:
Mr Paul Adams, Rt Hon James Bolger, Dr Alison Campbell, Mr Merv Dallas,
Mr Ian Fitzgerald, Mr Simon Graafhuis, Mr Richard Jefferies, Mr Mike Pohio,
Professor Neil Quigley
Secretary:
Ms Helen Pridmore
In attendance: Professor Bruce Clarkson, Ms Duanna Fowler, Ms Peta Goldsworthy,
Professor Robyn Longhurst, Mr Indula Jayasundara, Mr Brandon McGibbon,
Mr Andrew McKinnon.
15.192 KARAKIA
The meeting was opened with a karakia by Mr Richard Jefferies.
15.193 ELECTION OF CHANCELLOR AND PRO-CHANCELLOR
Reported
1. That under the provisions of the Education Act 1989, Council was required to elect a
chairperson (Chancellor) and deputy chairperson (Pro-Chancellor); the Vice-Chancellor, staff
and student members of Council were not eligible for election to either office.
2. That the election of a member to fill the office was in each case to be for a stated period, not
exceeding the member’s term as a member of Council; the chairperson or deputy chairperson
held office for the period for which he or she had been elected, but was eligible for re-election.
3. That, as in past years, nominations for each position would be invited orally at the meeting
and if just one nomination was received and seconded, that person would be declared duly
elected; if more than one nomination was received and seconded for either position, a secret
postal ballot would be held at the meeting.
Considered
The election of a Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor with effect from 10 December 2015.
Resolved
1. By election of the members present that Rt Hon James Bolger be declared Chancellor for the
period 10 December 2015 to 31 December 2018.
2. By election of the members present that Mr Merv Dallas be declared Pro-Chancellor for the
period 10 December 2015 to 9 December 2018.
15.194 REGISTER OF INTERESTS
Confirmed
The Register of Interests dated 30 November 2015 (document C15/134).
15.195 APPOINTMENT TO THE STUDENT DISCIPLINE APPEALS COMMITTEE
Reported
1. That the constitution of the Student Discipline Appeals Committee provided for two members
of Council, appointed by Council.
2. That the members under this provision were Dr Alison Campbell and Mrs Jan Jameson.
Resolved
Following the end of Ms Jan Jameson’s term on Council, to appoint Mr Richard Jefferies as her
replacement on the Student Discipline Appeals Committee.
15.196 FINANCE COMMITTEE AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Considered
A proposal from the Secretary to Council with regard to the amalgamation of the Finance and
Risk Management committees (document C15/135).
Noted in discussion
1. That Mr Merv Dallas had worked with the Secretary to Council on a preliminary draft of a set
of terms of reference for an Audit and Risk Committee.
2. That concerns were expressed that the amalgamation of the Finance and Risk Management
committees might lead to a predominant focus on financial risks with less regard for academic
and other areas of risk associated with the University’s core business of education and
research.
3. That the review of the Finance and Risk Management committees should be undertaken not in
isolation, but as part of a more fundamental review of how the Council organises itself and its
sub-committee structure more broadly.
4. That consideration might usefully be given to establishing a committee that focussed on
people, performance and organisational culture.
Resolved
1. To appoint a subgroup comprising Dr Alison Campbell, Mr Ian Fitzgerald, Mr Richard
Jefferies and Mr Mike Pohio to work with the Vice-Chancellor to undertake a ‘governance
review’ and to bring for consideration to the 10 February meeting a set of options for the
future organisation of Council and its sub-committees.
2. In the meantime and pending the governance review:
a. to maintain the current Finance Committee and Risk Management Committee
constitutions and terms of reference
b. to appoint Dr Alison Campbell to replace Dr Tom Ryan (following the end of his term on
Council) as the staff member on the Finance Committee
c. to re-appoint Mr Merv Dallas as a member and chair of the Finance Committee
d. to appoint Mr Simon Graafhuis as chair of the Risk Management Committee.
15.197 COUNCIL FEES
Considered
The recommendation set out in document C15/136 with respect to Council fees.
Resolved
To adopt the new maximum fees for Level 3 TEIs as set out in document C15/136, with effect
from 10 December 2015.
15.198 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Reported
That the next meeting of Council would be held on Wednesday 10 February 2016.
Noted in discussion
That consideration would be given to holding one of the 2016 Council meetings in Tauranga.
15.199 PROCEEDINGS WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
Resolved
That the public be excluded from the meeting to allow consideration of the following items:
11. February Council workshop
12. General
The interests protected under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
and/or the Official Information Act 1982 which could be prejudiced by the conduct of these
proceedings in public are as follows:
 Item 11 concerned matters that needed to be protected in order to enable the University to
carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.
Helen Pridmore
Council Secretary