Emeritus Professor Stuart McCutcheon (1955–2023)

Emeritus Professor Stuart McCutcheon, who died on 6 January aged 68, was a highly valued and hugely respected member of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee for nearly 20 years, four of them as Chair.

Emeritus Professor McCutcheon was Vice-Chancellor of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland from 2005 to 2020 and before that of Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington from 2000 to 2004.

During that time, he was Chair of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara in 2004 and 2005 and again in 2017 and 2018. He was Deputy Chair in 2006 and 2019.

“As Chair, Deputy Chair and a longstanding member of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Emeritus Professor McCutcheon was held in great esteem and appreciation by fellow Vice-Chancellors and other colleagues for his incisiveness and robust advocacy on behalf of not only the two universities he led but the sector as a whole,” says Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan.

“His was a voice of much wisdom and New Zealand higher education is the better for his many years of dedicated service.”

Read the University of Auckland’s obituary and Victoria University of Wellington’s tribute.