A scholar with Samoan heritage and senior higher-education sector leader, Toeolesulusulu Dr. Damon Salesa, has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.

Dr. Salesa stated that he is both excited and privileged to lead the Auckland University of Technology (A.U.T) from April next year. 

He said the A.U.T. is one of New Zealand’s most important institutions and New Zealand’s second-largest university and among its most globally prominent and the opportunity to serve and lead such a prestigious pillar of New Zealand's civil society was a deep honour and responsibility. 

"I leave the University of Auckland with sadness," he said.

"It is where I did two degrees and served on staff for 10 years, becoming the first Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Pacific descent; [but] this is an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the great institutions of our city, nation, region and the world.

“It is a big job, but I promise to undertake it in ways authentic to who I am, as a child of the Pacific, fortunate to grow up on the Whenua of Ngati Whatua ki Orakei, as a son of Glen Innes, Falealupo, Neiafu and Satapuala."

The appointment is the result of a global search after the university's outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Derek McCormack, announced his retirement in March 2022 after 18 years at the helm.

Toeolesulusulu Dr. Damon Salesa is an award-winning historian and a former Rhodes Scholar. After obtaining his MA with first-class honors at the University of Auckland, he completed his doctoral studies at Oxford University. 

He is the author and editor of many books and academic articles including Island Time: New Zealand’s Pacific Futures (BWB, 2017) and Racial Crossings (Oxford University Press, 2011) which won the international Ernest Scott Prize back in 2012. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and currently serves on their Council.

“For twenty years A.U.T. has been the most remarkable story in Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education, showing how the pursuit of excellence can be set on a foundation of service, inclusion, and close relationships with our communities, businesses and stakeholders,” says Toeolesulusulu.

His current role is as Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland where he also serves on the Executive Committee tasked with the strategic leadership and governance of the organization. 

Toeolesulusulu has also served as Co-Head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies & Pacific Studies) at the University of Auckland and previously worked at the University of Michigan for ten years including in roles as Director of the Asian Pacific Islander American Studies Program and as an Associate Professor in the History Department and Program in American Culture.

Born and bred in the Australian country town of Glen Innes,Toeolesulusulu is the son of a factory worker from Samoa and a nurse from the Far North. He is married with two teenage daughters. 

Toeolesulusulu retains strong connections to many of Auckland’s communities, especially in South Auckland. He has been an innovator at the interface between schools and universities and has been an important leader and supporter of the work of schools, in pedagogy, curriculum, and governance.

The A.U.T. Chancellor, Rob Campbell, says the Council is looking forward to welcoming Toeolesulusulu to A.U.T. next year:

“We are impressed by Toeolesulusulu's vision of the critical contribution A.U.T. can make to Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific through quality research and teaching, and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi throughout the work of the University.”