Victoria University of Wellington facts for kids
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Te Herenga Waka
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| Motto | Latin: Sapientia magis auro desideranda |
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Motto in English
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Wisdom is more to be desired than gold |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1897 |
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Academic affiliation
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ACU, AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS |
| Endowment | NZ$83.6 million (31 December 2021) |
| Budget | NZ$460.5 million (31 December 2021) |
| Chancellor | John Allen |
| Vice-Chancellor | Nic Smith |
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Academic staff
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1,147 (2021) |
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Total staff
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2,329 (2021) |
| Students | 23,090 (2021) |
| Location |
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New Zealand
41°17′20″S 174°46′06″E / 41.28889°S 174.76833°E |
| Campus | Urban |
| Student magazine | Salient |
| Colours | Green and white |
Victoria University of Wellington (Māori: Te Herenga Waka) is a public research university located in Wellington, New Zealand. It was started in 1897 by a special law from the New Zealand Parliament. For many years, it was part of the larger University of New Zealand.
The university is well known for its strong programs in law, humanities (like history and literature), and some science subjects. It offers many other courses too. Most first-year courses are open to all students. However, to get into the second year of some popular programs, like law or engineering, students need to meet specific requirements.
Victoria University has been recognized for its excellent research. In 2012 and 2018, it had the highest average research grade in New Zealand's Performance Based Research Fund. It was also ranked among the top universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings in 2020.
Contents
Discovering Victoria University's Past
Victoria University of Wellington was first called Victoria University College. It was founded in 1897. The name honored Queen Victoria on the 60th anniversary of her coronation. In 1961, the University of New Zealand was dissolved. At that point, Victoria University of Wellington started giving out its own degrees.
How the University Began
In 1868, the New Zealand government created a law to help set up universities. This led to the creation of the University of Otago and Canterbury College. People soon wanted a university in Wellington too.
A special group looked into higher education in 1878. They suggested having four university colleges, including one in Wellington. However, a financial problem in Great Britain caused delays.
Robert Stout, who was a Premier and later a Chief Justice, was a big supporter of the Wellington college. In 1886, he suggested the college could focus on law, political science, and history. He also thought the Colonial Museum staff could help with geology and natural history. This idea, however, was not approved.
The University is Established
In 1897, the Premier, Richard Seddon, decided it was time to establish the college in Wellington. He had just received an honorary law degree from the University of Cambridge during Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He thought creating a college would be a great way to mark the Queen's special year.
When he introduced the Victoria College Bill, Seddon said, ‘I do not think there will be any question as to the necessity for the establishment of a University College here in Wellington.’
The college was to be run by a council of 16 people. Their first meeting happened on May 23, 1898.
First Professors of Victoria College
The first professors who taught at Victoria College were:
- John Rankine Brown – Professor of Classics
- Hugh Mackenzie – Professor of English Language and Literature
- Thomas Easterfield – Professor of Chemistry and Physics
- Richard Cockburn Maclaurin – Professor of Mathematics
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Early Years of the College
Even though Victoria College was officially started, it didn't have its own buildings for the first ten years. Classes were held at Wellington Girls High School and another technical school building.
The professors worked to create a unique identity for the college. In 1902, they chose the motto "Sapientia magis auro desideranda," which means "Wisdom is more to be desired than gold." In 1903, the college adopted a badge and coat of arms. The college colours, dark green and gold, were inspired by the gorse plants on nearby Tinakori Hill.
The college also planned to create a law professorship to make its Law School the best in the colony. They hired George von Zedlitz for modern languages and Harry Borrer Kirk for biology.
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Building the Kelburn Campus
In 1901, a wealthy farmer named Charles Pharazyn offered to donate money if the college was built on a hilly piece of land in Kelburn. This was a good location because Pharazyn also had a financial interest in the Wellington Cable Car, which was being built nearby. The cable car, completed the next year, still helps students get from the city center to the university.
Construction began in 1902. The main building was designed in the Gothic Revival style. The governor of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, laid the foundation stone in 1904.
The building opened in 1906, but it wasn't fully finished. It was added to as the college grew. Students built tennis courts, a gym, and a social hall. The main building was named the Hunter Building, after Professor Thomas Alexander Hunter. After World War I, new wings were added, providing more teaching areas and a new library.
Growing and Expanding
In 1960, a branch of the university was opened in Palmerston North. This branch later merged with Massey College and became Massey University in 1964.
In 2004, Victoria University celebrated the 100th birthday of its first main building, the Hunter Building.
Victoria University has grown beyond its original Kelburn campus. It now has campuses in Te Aro (for Architecture and Design) and Pipitea (near Parliament, for Law and Business). The university also has research institutes and laboratories in other areas, including Lower Hutt and Island Bay. In 2015, Victoria opened a new campus in Auckland to meet student demand.
Considering a Name Change
In 2018, the university considered changing its name to the University of Wellington. The Vice-Chancellor, Grant Guillford, said this would help reduce confusion with other universities named "Victoria" around the world. The university also planned to change its Māori name to Te Herenga Waka.
However, many people, especially former students and current students, strongly opposed the name change. After much discussion, the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, decided against the name change in December 2018. He said there wasn't enough support from staff, students, or alumni. In 2019, the university council agreed not to fight this decision.
Despite this, the university has started using "Wellington's University" in some of its promotions. In 2021, it even spent money on a new sign that highlighted the word "Wellington."
Financial Challenges in 2023
In May 2023, Victoria University faced a financial problem. There were fewer students enrolling, and government funding was lower than expected. To help with this, the university considered reducing its staff. However, the New Zealand Government later announced more funding for universities, which helped save some of the planned job cuts.
In October 2023, the university also looked into selling some properties to help with its finances.
How the University is Run
The university is managed by its University Council. This council has 20 members, including people elected by graduates, staff, and students, as well as people appointed by the Minister of Education.
The head of the university's administration is called the Vice-Chancellor. Since 1957, several people have held this important role. The current Vice-Chancellor is Nic Smith, who started in January 2023.
Entry to most courses for New Zealand residents is open. However, some courses, like Performance Music, require an audition. For certain degrees like Law or Architecture, students need to be selected to enter the second year.
The university also owns the New Zealand School of Music.
University Faculties
Victoria University of Wellington has several faculties, which are like different schools or departments. These include:
- Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
- Wellington School of Business and Government
- Wellington Faculty of Education
- Wellington Faculty of Engineering
- Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research
- Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Wellington Faculty of Science
- Wellington Faculty of Health
Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law is located in the historic Old Government Buildings. This location is very close to the New Zealand Parliament and courts, which is perfect for studying law. The faculty is highly ranked globally and is known for its strong research in law.
University Campuses and Buildings
Victoria University of Wellington has three main campuses in Wellington city. It also has a smaller location in Auckland.
Campuses in Wellington
- The main campus is in the Kelburn suburb. It looks over the Wellington Central Business District. This campus is home to the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Education, and Health. It also has the university's main library and administrative offices. Students can find cafes, a bookstore, health services, childcare, and a sports center here. The Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association is also based at Kelburn.
- The Pipitea campus houses the Wellington School of Business and Government and the Faculty of Law. It's located near the New Zealand Parliament Buildings. This campus has its own libraries for Commerce and Law. Student services like health and recreation are also available here.
- The Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation is located at the Te Aro Campus. This campus has a specialized library for Architecture and Design.
Auckland Location
The School of Business and Government offers some courses at a location in the Auckland CBD.
Other University Facilities
The Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory supports research on marine life and coastal environments. It is located on Wellington's south coast.
The Miramar Creative Centre is near the Wētā Workshop buildings. It helps students get work experience and connect with New Zealand's film, animation, and game design industries.
University Library
The university library started in 1899. Its collections are spread across four locations: Kelburn Library, Law Library, Architecture and Design Library, and Commerce Library. The library also has many online resources, including digital books and journals.
The library holds about 1.3 million printed books. It provides access to 70,000 print and electronic magazines and 200,000 e-books. It is one of only three libraries in New Zealand that officially stores documents from the United Nations System.
The J. C. Beaglehole Room is where all the university's historical documents and rare books are kept. It offers a special research service for these items.
The New Zealand Electronic Text Centre (NZETC) is a digital library. It contains important New Zealand and Pacific Island texts and materials. The library also has online places where the university's research is made freely available.
From 2003 to 2010, the library was home to two famous cats, Tessa Brown and Sandy Rankine!
Campus Development Projects
Te Huanui and 320 The Terrace
In 2014, the university bought the empty Gordon Wilson Flats building. This building was close to the Kelburn campus. The university wanted to create a link between the city and the campus.
The university planned to remove the flats and build new teaching and research facilities. They also wanted to create a pedestrian and elevator link up to the Kelburn campus. This project is called 'Te Huanui'.
National Centre for Music
In 2019, Victoria University, working with the New Zealand School of Music, signed an agreement to create a new National Music Centre. This center will be located in the Wellington Town Hall once its renovations are finished.
The Vice-Chancellor, Grant Guilford, believed this center would greatly improve music education. He said it would offer "state-of-the-art teaching, rehearsal, research and performance spaces."
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The Living Pā
The Living Pā is a project to redevelop the university's marae (a Māori meeting ground) and the surrounding area on the Kelburn campus. This project involves removing some older buildings and constructing a new one. The new building will be designed using special principles to be very sustainable and environmentally friendly. Work on this project began in mid-2021.
Academic Achievements
| University rankings | |
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| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 401–500 (2023) |
| QS World | 244 (2025) |
| THE World | 401–500 (2024) |
| USNWR Global | =495 (2023) |
University Rankings
| Year | QS World University Rankings | Academic Ranking of World Universities | Times Higher Education World University Rankings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 236 | ||
| 2021 | 223 | ||
| 2020 | 215 | 301–400 | 501–600 |
| 2019 | 221 | 301–400 | 401–500 |
| 2018 | 219 | 301–400 | 401–500 |
| 2017 | 228 | 301–400 | 351–400 |
| 2016 | 229 | 301–400 | 351–400 |
| 2015 | 275 | 276–300 | |
| 2014 | 265 | ||
| 2012 | 237 |
Research and Innovation Centres
Victoria University has over 40 research centers and institutes. These are places where experts conduct important studies and make new discoveries. Some of these include:
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- Robinson Research Institute
- Ferrier Research Institute
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
- Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory
- Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand
- Language Learning Centre
- Adam Art Gallery
- New Zealand Electronic Text Centre
- Antarctic Research Centre
- International Institute of Modern Letters
- New Zealand India Research Institute
Student Life at Victoria University
Student Groups and Media
- Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association (VUWSA): This is the main student organization that represents students' interests.
- Salient: This is the university's student magazine, written by and for students.
Student Accommodation (Halls of Residence)
Many students live in halls of residence, which are like dorms. Some halls provide meals (catered), while others allow students to cook for themselves (self-catered).
- Victoria operated halls
- Boulcott Hall (catered)
- Capital Hall (catered)
- Joan Stevens Hall (catered)
- Katharine Jermyn Hall (catered)
- Te Puni Village (catered)
- Weir House (catered)
- Willis St: Cumberland House (catered)
- Willis St: Education House (self-catered)
- University Hall (self-catered)
- University Hall: Whānau House (self-catered)
- Privately operated halls
- Victoria House (catered)
- Helen Lowry Hall (catered)
- Everton Hall (self-catered)
- Stafford House (self-catered)
Famous People from Victoria University
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Many notable people have studied or worked at Victoria University of Wellington. These include:
- Prime Ministers of New Zealand: Chris Hipkins, Bill English, Geoffrey Palmer, and Jack Marshall.
- Artists and Performers: Jane Campion (Oscar-winning director), John Clarke (comedian), Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie (from Flight of the Conchords), Taika Waititi (filmmaker), and Fran Walsh (Oscar-winning writer).
- Writers and Poets: Fleur Adcock, Barbara Anderson, Hera Lindsay Bird, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, Lloyd Jones, Vincent O'Sullivan, Beverley Randell, Jacqueline Sturm, and Albert Wendt.
- Scientists and Researchers: Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes (cardiologist), Andrew Digby (astronomer and ecologist), Edith Farkas (meteorologist), Dr Alexander Gerst (ESA astronaut), Dr Fred Hollows (eye surgeon), Alan MacDiarmid (Nobel Prize winner), Melissa Cristina Márquez (marine biologist), Dr Mary Morgan-Richards (evolutionary biologist), Pat Ralph (marine biologist), Prof. James Renwick (climate scientist), Dr Natalie Robinson (polar oceanographer), Dr Jonathan Sarfati (creationist author), and Colin J. N. Wilson (volcanology academic).
- Law and Politics: Sir Michael Hardie Boys (former Governor-General), Baron Cooke of Thorndon (Law Lord), Sir Thomas Eichelbaum (former Chief Justice), Chris Finlayson (Attorney-General), Hon. Georgina te Heuheu (MP), Moana Jackson (Māori lawyer), Sir Kenneth Keith (international judge), Hon. Sir Doug Kidd (former Speaker of the House), Sir George Laking (diplomat), Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (Prime Minister of Samoa), Sir Guy Powles (first Ombudsman), Sir Paul Reeves (former Governor-General), Tuiloma Neroni Slade (Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum), Sir Brian Talboys (former Deputy Prime Minister), Viran Molisa Trief (first female Solicitor-General and Supreme Court judge of Vanuatu), Marilyn Waring (feminist and former MP), Sir Richard Wild (former Chief Justice), and Nicola Willis (MP).
- Sports: Mark Paston (All Whites goalkeeper), Conrad Smith (All Black), and Alison Wright (athlete).
- Other Notable Alumni: Dr John Cawte Beaglehole (Captain Cook expert), Sir Michael Fay (banker), Sir Robert Jones (property tycoon), Dr Michael King (historian), Sir Alister McIntosh (public servant), Simon O'Neill (opera singer), Tamatha Paul (Wellington City Councillor), Dr Bill Sutch (public servant), and Jack Yan (businessman).
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Victoria en Wellington para niños
- Tertiary education in New Zealand
