Council
Our governing body is the Lincoln University Council. The functions, duties and powers of the Council are prescribed in the Education and Training Act 2020, sections 280, 281 and 283.
The Council is chaired by the Lincoln University Chancellor.
Our Constitution
The Council is made up of 12 members:
- Four members appointed by the relevant Minister of the Crown.
- The Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University.
- One permanent member of the academic staff who is appointed following an election by the permanent members of that group of staff.
- One permanent member of the general staff who is appointed following an election by the permanent members of that group of staff.
- One member who is appointed following an election by Lincoln University students.
- One member who is appointed after consultation with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
- Three members who are appointed by the Council, at least one of whom shall be alumni of Lincoln University.
Functions and Duties of the Council
According to Section 280 of the Education and Training Act 2020, the functions of 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.
Section 281 of the Education and Training Act 2020 provides that it is the duty of the Council in performing its functions and exercising its powers, to:
- Strive to ensure that the institution attains the highest standards of excellence in education, training and research.
- Acknowledge the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Encourage the greatest possible participation by the communities served by the institution, so as to maximise the educational potential of all members of those communities with particular emphasis on groups in those communities that are under-represented among the students of the institution.
- Ensure that the institution does not discriminate unfairly against any person.
- Ensure that the institution operates in a financially responsible manner that ensures the efficient use of resources and maintains the institution’s long-term viability.
- Ensure that proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest and the well-being of students attending the institution are maintained.
Committees reporting to Council
The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to oversee:
- Effective identification and management of strategic risks, both financial and non-financial
- Reliable management and financial reporting and relevant internal control systems
- The insurance renewal programme
- Internal audit and external audit functions
- Reporting of performance metrics for the university and its functions
- Health and safety
- Preparation of the university’s annual report
- The university’s compliance with laws and regulations.
The Capital Asset Committee’s role is to monitor and report to the Council on campus development plans, business as usual (BAU) capital activities and major capital projects, including their intended benefits. Decision-making on these matters rests with Council.
The scope of this committee includes all capital additions and disposals across the campus and other property holdings; capital budgeting and funding opportunities; integration of the capital plans of subsidiaries; and the optimisation of the overall asset portfolio.
The purpose of He Toki Tārai is to monitor and report to Council on the:
- Planning and progress of the educational, research and collaborative initiatives included in the CFA and any other initiatives as requested by Council.
- Realisation of intended benefits from the Moving Forward Programme and any other initiatives as requested by Council.
The purpose of the Farms Committee is to the Council of:
- The strategic research, teaching and learning opportunities associated with the university’s substantial asset portfolio of farms and alignment with the Lincoln University strategy.
- To monitor the implementation of the Farms Plan at a governance level.
Ahumairaki oversees the Māori development aspirations of the institution on behalf of Council and in line with the university’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, Section 281(b) of the Education and Training Act 2020, the Tertiary Education Strategy and the Lincoln University strategic documentation.
The purpose of the Council Appeals Committee is to hear and determine:
- Applications for leave to appeal.
- An application for the review of the amount or extent of a penalty imposed pursuant to the Student Discipline Regulations and/or the imposition of that penalty.
- Any matter referred under clause 18.7 or clause 25.4 of the Student Discipline Regulations.
The purpose of the Appointment and Remuneration Committee is to:
- Oversee the employment interface between the Council and the Vice-Chancellor.
- Oversee the appointment and removal of directors to the board of any Lincoln University wholly-owned subsidiary and/or associated board.
- Oversee the appointment and performance of Council-appointed Council members.
- Recommend remuneration charges for Council members, Council Committee members and members of subsidiary company boards.
The aim of the Humans Ethics Committee is:
- To ensure that all Lincoln University research involving human participants meets established ethical standards, including requirements specified by funding agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Health Research Council and Lottery Health Research.
- To educate Lincoln University staff on the needs and requirements for ethically-sound research and teaching practices.
- To ensure Lincoln University maintains high ethical standards of research.
- To minimise any risk of liability faced by the university or its members by research projects involving human subjects.
The purpose of the Awards Committee is to advise the Council on the awarding of:
- Higher doctorates honoris causa
- The Bledisloe Medal
- The Lincoln Alumni International Medal
- The Ngāti Moki Trophy for Māori Leadership
- The Lincoln University Global Science Medal
- The Chancellor’s Medal
- The Lincoln University Medal.
The Committee may also advise the Council on the revocation of these awards.
Schedule of Meetings
Date | Time |
22 February 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
29 March 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
3 May 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
28 June 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
26 July 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
30 August 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
27 September 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
25 October 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
29 November 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
13 December 2022 | 9.00-1.00pm |
Members of Council
Council member | Brief biography |
Bruce Gemmell – ChancellorBBS (Massey), CA First joined20 August 2013 Current Term12 July 2019 – 11 July 2023
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Bruce Gemmell joined the Lincoln University Council in August 2013 and became Pro-Chancellor in May 2018. He has also been a member of the University of Canterbury Council. A chartered accountant and former senior partner at international accounting firm EY, Bruce now works as a professional director, holding positions with Planz Consultants Limited, Orion New Zealand Limited, the Highlanders rugby franchise, Miramar Consolidated Limited, Central Plains Water Limited and Lincoln Agritech Limited. He owns and operates a private finance company. He is also board advisor to Ticket Direct, and Lincoln Agritech Limited. Bruce was appointed Chancellor of Lincoln University in January 2019. |
Emeritus Professor James McWha – Pro-ChancellorAO, BSc, BAgr(Hons) (Queen's University of Belfast), PhD (Glasgow), PhD ad eundum gradum (Adelaide), DSc honoris causa (Massey), DUniv honoris causa (Adelaide) Current Term24 July 2021 – 24 July 2025 |
Professor James McWha has an esteemed career in the tertiary education sector. He began his university journey studying botany at Queen’s University Belfast in the early 1970s. |
Rob Hewett - Council Member (Alumnus)BCom Agricultural (Linc), MSc Marketing (Linc) Current Term1 February 2020 – 1 February 2024 |
Rob Hewett has in-depth experience in governance, particularly across New Zealand’s agricultural and renewable energy supply chains. Rob farms 9,250 stock units, 960 ha carbon neutral sheep and beef breeding/finishing unit with forestry and wind farming interests, in Manuka Gorge, South Otago. |
David Jensen B.Agr. Dip Agri.Sc
Current Term 14 December 2021 |
David resides in the Bay of Plenty and owns and operates dairy, kiwifruit, forestry and avocado businesses around the Tauranga district. David is graduate of Massey University with a Agri Degree as well as a Post-Grad Diploma in farm management. Prior to going farming David with a dairy farm Consultant in Canterbury and the Waikato. He has a wide governance background in the primary sector having held roles with Farmlands, Livestock Improvement, Satara, Eastpack Co-op, Figured, and chairs a wide range of MyFarm Limited Partnerships. David is Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. |
Professor Grant Edwards BAgrSci (Hons) (Lincoln) DPhil (Oxford) Vice-Chancellor Current Term 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2026
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Coming from a farming background in Northland, Professor Edwards completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences with Hons from Lincoln University in 1990. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1991 and through this scholarship, he completed a DPhil in behavioural ecology at Oxford University in 1994. He then held research and teaching positions at AgResearch and Imperial College London, before returning to Lincoln University in 2005, first as a senior lecturer in pasture science, before moving to the position of Professor of Dairy Production in 2009. He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2019 to 2021 and began his appointment as Vice-Chancellor in 2022. Professor Edwards’ research interests are in the profitability and environmental performance of dairy farming systems. At Lincoln University, he has been instrumental in the activation of a farm portfolio to support a continuum of activities from component research through to farm systems and demonstration. |
Janice Fredric - Ministerial appointmentBCom (Cant), MBA (Dist) (Massey), CA, CMinstD, FNZIMS Current Term12 June 2017 - 11 June 2021 |
Janice Fredric was appointed as a University Council member in 2017 by the Minister and currently chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and the Capital Asset Committee. She is currently Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service, a director of Mainpower NZ Limited and Credit Union Baywide, an independent member of the Timaru District Council Audit and Risk Committee, and a trustee of the NZ Shipwreck Welfare Trust. |
Gabrielle Thompson - Ministerial appointmentBVSc (Massey) Current Term18 June 2020 – 17 June 2024 |
Graduating from Massey University with a veterinary degree in 2000, Gabrielle developed her own companion animal clinic in 2004. |
Dr Marjan van den Belt - Ministerial appointmentMsc (Eramus), Grad Cert (Maryland), PhD (Maryland) Current Term26 February 2020 – 25 February 2024 |
Dr Marjan van den Belt has a life-long passion for ecological sustainability, social and cultural fairness and innovative economic solutions. |
Puamiria Parata-Goodall - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu appointmentBA (Cant), B Māori Performing Arts (Te Awanuiarangi) First joined9 December 2015 Current Term9 December 2019 – 8 December 2022 |
Puamiria Parata-Goodall is passionate about cultural identity and legacy. She is a proud descendant of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Ngāti Kahungunu. E kore au e ngaro. He kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea. I will never be lost. I am a seed sown from Rangiātea. |
Dr Carol Smith - Academic Staff appointmentBSc(Hons) (Portsmouth), MSc (Reading), PhD (Aberdeen), FRGS Current Term29 May 2018- 28 May 2022 |
Dr Carol Smith is the Council representative on Academic Board. She is a senior lecturer in soil science and Head of Department, Soil and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Her research interests span rehabilitating degraded soils using recycled carbon, paleoclimate reconstruction and Antarctic soils. Current research includes transdisciplinary approaches to nurturing people-soil connections using food-landscape networks and developing effective communication for practical field skills in the geosciences. Carol is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She was the recipient of the Norman H Taylor Memorial Award in 2020 from the New Zealand Society of Soil Science in recognition of outstanding contributions to soil science in New Zealand. |
Jaime Shone - General Staff appointmentBA (Canterbury) Current Term30 May 2021 – 29 May 2025 |
Jaime Shone joined Lincoln University in 2005 and is presently Lincoln's Domestic Engagement Manager. |
Jeremy Kilgour - Student appointmentBAgSci – Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours Current Term15 December 2021 – 30 November 2022
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Jeremy Kilgour is the Lincoln University Students' Association President for 2022. |
Council Agendas and Minutes
The Council papers for each session are available from the public session of each Council meeting
Please contact the Director - Governance and Legal with any enquiries.
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