Serious questions are being raised about whether a change to the name of Victoria University of Wellington can proceed
without an amending Act of Parliament, National’s List MP based in Wellington, Nicola Willis says.
“Evidence heard in the Education and Workforce Select Committee today suggests that a University name change requires a
change to legislation. This is more than just approval from the Minister of Education and could mean that the name
change could be blocked.
“Petitioners Ross McComish and lawyer Hugh Rennie QC presented today about the legal process for changing the name of
universities, outlining that in addition to a Gazette notice from the Minister, a name change may also require an
amendment to the Victoria University of Wellington Act 1961.
“The petitioners pointed out that when Massey University changed its name in 1966 it did so with an amending Act of
Parliament.
“This raises serious questions about whether a change to the name of Victoria University of Wellington can go ahead
without the support of a majority of MPs.
“It would be interesting to see whether a majority in Parliament would support a change to name to Victoria University
of Wellington. Students and graduates overwhelmingly oppose the change and a Parliamentary process would ensure their
voices were heard.
“The change proposal doesn’t have the backing of the wider University community. The consultation process run by the
University showed that 92 per cent of student submitters opposed the change proposal while 81 per cent of alumni opposed
it.
“The Select Committee has now opened the petition for public submissions. I encourage interested people to have their
say.
“I’m a proud alumnus of Victoria University and I oppose the name change.”