The University of Auckland: Class Profile & Alumni

The University of Auckland Alumni

International Students

17.5

% of international students in the university

8101

Total International Students in the university

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and highest-ranked university. Known for academic excellence and research, it has produced influential leaders, award-winning writers, global business figures, and change-makers across sectors.

Alumni Name	Notable Achievement / Famous For	Degree	Graduating Year
Helen Clark	Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; UNDP Administrator	MA (Political Studies)	1974
Sir Edmund Hillary	First person to summit Mount Everest	BSc	1935
Lorde (Ella Yelich-O’Connor)	Grammy-winning singer-songwriter	Attended briefly	N/A
Sam Neill	Actor (Jurassic Park, The Piano)	BA (English Literature)	1969
Judith Collins	Member of Parliament; Former Leader of the Opposition	LLB	1977
Bruce Aitken	Former CEO of Methanex Corporation	BCom	1976
Russell Coutts	Olympic gold medalist and America’s Cup-winning yachtsman	BE (Mechanical Engineering)	1984
Michael Hurst	Actor, director (Hercules, Spartacus)	BA (English & Drama)	1979
Dr. Siouxsie Wiles	Microbiologist and science communicator	PhD (Biochemistry)	1990s (UK); Faculty at UoA
Chloe Swarbrick	Youngest MP in NZ Parliament (Green Party)	BA/LLB	2016
Christopher Luxon	Current Prime Minister of New Zealand	BCom (Commerce)	1993
Beatrice Faumuina	Commonwealth gold medalist (discus); UN Goodwill Ambassador	BEd	1990s
Rena Owen	Actress (Once Were Warriors)	BSc (Biology)	1980s
Sir Anand Satyanand	Former Governor-General of New Zealand	LLB	1970
Peter Beck	Founder & CEO of Rocket Lab	Honorary Doctorate	2022
Dame Anne Salmond	Anthropologist, historian, author	PhD (Anthropology)	1972
David Skilling	Global economist; Founding CEO of the NZ Institute	PhD (Public Policy)	2000s
Ayesha Verrall	Infectious diseases physician; New Zealand Minister of Health	MBChB	2001
Sir John Hood	Former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford and Auckland universities	PhD (Engineering)	1976
Lisa Reihana	Acclaimed visual artist (In Pursuit of Venus [infected])	MFA	1990s
Michael Harte	CIO of Barclays Bank; digital banking expert	MSc (Information Science)	1990s
Annette Presley	Entrepreneur; Co-founder of Slingshot ISP	BCom	1980s
Victoria Crone	Former CEO of Callaghan Innovation; Xero NZ MD	BCom	1990s
Dr. Michelle Dickinson	Nanotechnologist and science communicator (Nanogirl)	PhD (Engineering)	2000s
Neil Ieremia	Choreographer; founder of Black Grace Dance Company	BA (Performing Arts)	1990s
Geoff Ricketts	Business leader; former Chair of Mercury Energy	LLB	1970s
Kiri Nathan	Māori fashion designer, cultural advocate	Design & Business Studies	2000s
Doug Howlett	Former All Black and record try scorer	BEd	1990s
Brian Tamaki	Religious leader and founder of Destiny Church	Attended	N/A