University Council Members

Susan Hassall has an MA (Hons) from the University of Auckland. She was Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School, following her early career as a teacher of English, at the same school. She has extensive experience in education, and in the management of change in an organisation. Susan was also involved, as an Executive member, with the Association of Boys’ Schools, since its inception in 2002, and has an abiding interest in, and involvement with, gifted education, having contributed to the Minister’s Advisory Group for many years. Susan contributes to the wider community as a Justice of the Peace, and as a Wedding and Special Occasion Celebrant. She is the Chair of the board of Hospice Waikato. Susan was first appointed to the Council in March of 2016. Following seven years as Pro Chancellor, she was appointed by the Council as Chancellor in July 2025.

The Honourable Te Ururoa Flavell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāpuhi) has a wealth of experience in Māori education and governance having held advisory and leadership roles across the education sector, including at Tipene | St Stephen’s School, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Te Ataarangi and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and has served in Parliament as co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, where he held various ministerial and governance roles. He currently serves as Chair of Te Arawa Whanau Ora, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Tipene (Te Tuara Trust) and as Deputy Chair of Te Arawa Lakes Trust. He received an Honorary Doctorate in 2024 in recognition of his leadership in the education sector, and in advancing the use of te reo, tikanga Māori and Indigenous knowledge across education and government. Te Ururoa was appointed to Council and as Pro-Chancellor in July 2025.

Professor Neil Quigley has a BA and MA with first class honours from the University of Canterbury, a PhD from the University of Toronto, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Economics in Vietnam. He is an economist of international standing with a long track-record of academic and strategic leadership. He has held a number of Board and expert advisory group memberships and has served as the Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand since 2016. Professor Quigley was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato in 2015 and is an ex officio member of Council.

Michelle Blake is the University Librarian.  Michelle has worked in higher education for 20 years in both NZ and the UK. She brings a wealth of committee, board and advisory group experience from the higher education and international library sector. Michelle is leading initiatives in the open research space within Aotearoa NZ and her term are leading work to indigenise the Library. She is a skilled relationship builder, a champion of user experience techniques, and has an ability to harness digital technologies to enhance innovation and instil an ethos of continuous improvement. She believes in universal access to knowledge which should be collaborative, inclusive and sustainable. Michelle was elected to Council by and from the staff of the University of Waikato in 2023.

Meleane Burgess holds a Bachelor of Management Studies in Accounting and is an alumna of the University of Waikato Management School. Meleane is Managing Director of Dynamic Advisory Limited with extensive governance and financial experience. Meleane is a Chartered Member of both the NZ Institute of Directors and Governance New Zealand. Her governance experience extends across public, private, and not for profit sectors wherein currently she is an Independent Director of Public Trust, Trustee on the Anglican Action Board, a Director of Mapu Maia Ltd, a member of Global Women and was the founder of the Waikato Pacific Business Network. Meleane was appointed as a member of the Council by the Minister for Education in August 2021.

Dr Joan Forret is an independent barrister and solicitor. Her specialist area of practice covers all aspects of resource management and alcohol licensing. Joan is the Chair of the Consenting Panel for the Atawhata Wetland Project and is a Trustee of the Momentum Foundation Charitable Trust. Joan holds a PhD in law from the University of Waikato and arts and science degrees from the University of Otago and lectured for five years in Environmental and Public Law at the University of Waikato. She has been a Ministerial appointee on Council since 2018.

Simon Graafhuis has a Bachelor of Management Studies from the University of Waikato. He is currently the CEO at Chiefs Rugby Club. His career has also included a variety of mainly finance and project-related roles with the Gallagher Group, LIC, Fonterra and New Zealand Dairy Group. Simon has been a Ministerial appointee on Council since December 2014.

Mary-Anne is an experienced board member who has served in governance roles for a number of organisations. Mary-Anne is an alumna of the University and has previously held leadership roles for the Ministry for the Environment and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, where she was Chief Executive for seven years until 2018. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Institute for Earth Science. Mary-Anne has been a member of Council since 2022.

Parekawhia McLean (Ngāti Mahanga - Hourua, Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto) is an Executive Board member of Te Arataura Chair, Waikato-Tainui, as well as the Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. She is the Chair of Hauora Māori Advisory Committee to the Minister of Health and Co-Chair of the Hamilton City Council Waikato-Tainui Joint Management Committee. She has previously held senior roles at Counties Manukau District Health Board, Waikato-Tainui, New Zealand Transport Agency, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Parekawhia is the Chairperson of Te Rōpū Manukura which, in partnership with the University Council, is the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the Treaty of Waitangi principles for the University of Waikato. She is a Distinguished Alumni of the University and was appointed to Council in December 2021.

Graeme Milne has a Bachelor of Technology (Biotech) with first class honours from Massey University. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013. Graeme has spent most of his career in the dairy industry but also spent time in brewing, pharmaceuticals and the meat sector. He has held several senior executive roles in New Zealand, Europe and Australia including CEO of Bay Milk Products, CEO of New Zealand Dairy Group, CEO of Bonlac in Australia and CEO of Richmond Ltd. Since 2000 Graeme has been a professional director and is currently chairman of several organisations including Braemar Hospital and Rimanui Farms. Graeme has been in the past a director of Genesis Energy and was the chairman of the Waikato DHB. He has been a Ministerial appointee to Council since 2017.

Temepara Smith is the President of the Waikato Students' Union.

To be appointed.