The Trustees

Nicola Peart is a Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago. She holds a Law degree from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and an LLM degree from the University of Cape Town.

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She joined the University of Otago’s Law Faculty in 1987, where her research has focused on family property law, trusts and medical law. She was a member of the Council of Knox College and Salmond College from 2005 to 2013 and has been a Fellow of the Knox College Senior Common Room since 2002.

 

She was appointed a trustee of the Foundation of Knox College and Salmond College in 2016.

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David is Director of Planning and Funding at the University of Otago. He is a member of the University’s senior leadership team, reporting to the Vice-Chancellor.

 

David also serves on a number of pan-University and education sector groups. He has had input into Government policy and regulation development in the areas of higher education planning, funding and reporting since the early 1990s.

 

As a student at Otago in the 1980s, David was a resident of Knox College for three years, starting off in the Merrington Wing, and moving on to a Double A in the main building before securing elevation to the Super Attics in his final year at the College.

 

David holds a BA (Hons) in History and an MBA, and is a published author and award-winning journalist. While a born-and-bred New Zealander, he has also lived and worked internationally and travelled extensively.

 

His interests outside of work include food and wine, travel, classic cars, fishing, and sports coaching and team management. He holds, or has held, governance roles in the early childhood and secondary school education sectors, and in various sporting and philanthropic organisations.

 

David was appointed a trustee of the Foundation of Knox College and Salmond College in 2017.

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Tim Gray has a long history with not only Knox College and Salmond College but also the University of Otago. He was a member of administrative staff of the Registry, University of Otago from 1962 until 2002. Tim began his career as an Administrative Assistant in the Academic Registry, was appointed Academic Registrar in 1980 and held the position of Registrar and Secretary to the Council from 1997 until retirement. He has been a member of the Council of Knox College and Salmond College and has served as Chairman of its Finance Committee.  He has also  held the post of Warden of Salmond College for 5 years,  and has been  Acting Master of Knox College for a brief period. He was the Chairman of the Foundation for Knox College and Salmond College, at its inception, 1981- 1982  and more recently from 2013 -2019, and has been associated with it in the intervening years.

 

Born and raised in South Otago, Adrian attended John McGlashan College, Knox College and the University of Otago. He worked for Deloitte and its predecessors from 1971 to 2013 as an Associate Director specialising in Information Technology and Management Consulting. He has worked with and advised a wide range of New Zealand companies and institutions. He is now enjoying retirement and being self-employed.

 

 

Adrian was on the Council of Knox College and Salmond College for over thirty years retiring in 2011. Adrian was a member of the Finance Committee during this time and he also chaired the Finance Committee for several years. He has been a Trustee for the Foundation for Knox College and Salmond since its inception.

 

Hilary Halba is Associate Professor of Theatre Studies at the University of Otago. She studied acting in New York City, and has worked as an actor and director in the professional theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand as well as in Europe and the USA for over 25 years. Hilary has also held governance, advisory and assessment roles for arts organisations throughout the country including Wow! Productions Trust, Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ and Creative New Zealand, as well as leadership roles at the University of Otago. Currently, Hilary convenes Otago’s the Bachelor of Performing Arts degree.

Hilary has had a long association with Knox College and Salmond College. She was a Salmond resident in the 1980s, and has been a member of the Commission and the Board of Knox and Salmond.

She was appointed a trustee of the Foundation of Knox College and Salmond College in 2019.

Alison has been employed at the University of Otago since 1989. Most of her roles have focused on international relations, including developing Otago’s connections with universities in Latin America.  In the mid 2000s she headed the Student International Services team, where she was responsible for the implementation of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, introduced to ensure the wellbeing of New Zealand’s growing numbers of international students.  

Late in the 1990s Alison served as Postgraduate Scholarships Officer, which among other things involved acting as secretary to Otago’s Rhodes Scholarship committee. As Head of Alumni Relations (2007 to 2015) she was responsible for managing the University’s relationships with its 100,000 plus alumni in NZ and overseas.  An important part of that role was the distribution of alumni-funded scholarships to deserving students.

Alison’s community service includes twelve years on the Aquinas College Council.  She has also served on four Quality Advancement Review panels, all focused on student accommodation. In 2019 she played a major role in organising the Gala Concert held in the Town Hall to celebrate the University’s 150th anniversary.

Alison retired in 2015 but continues to work on a part-time basis for the Office of Māori Development.

Grace Titter is a rōia / solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team at Gallaway Cook Allan.  Grace graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science in 2020.  

As a student, Grace had a part-time role as a cleaner for Knox College.  During this role, she thoroughly enjoyed working in such a beautiful college and meeting a wide range of students. 

Grace was appointed a trustee of the Foundation of Knox College and Salmond College in 2022.