Not everyone happy Robertson got top job

The appointment of Grant Robertson as University of Otago vice-chancellor led to former graduates saying they would pull donations.

On February 20, the senior Labour MP confirmed he was leaving a 15-year parliamentary career to return to Dunedin for the role. Chancellor Stephen Higgs said it came after an “extensive international search”, and Robertson’s appointment was unanimously supported by the university council.

Some emails sent to senior university staff about the move and released to Stuff under the Official Information Act (OIA) were positive. But one noted the writer had received calls from alumni “angry at the decision”. The response was likely to be worse than what the university received over Tuakiritaka, a reference to branding changes, the emailer said.

Another emailer said: “I will not be donating another cent and will not be encouraging family to attend an institution that is seriously flawed from the top down. The university council should resign following this decision.”

A former alumni emailed: “I have left a significant amount of money to the university in my will. However, I will be cancelling that.”

Another requested, under the OIA, details of other applicants, as “I am keen to ensure that the best candidate for this appointment was selected”.

One person, who had a history of sending offensive emails to the university, wrote: “This must be one of the most gross and ridiculous decisions of the university to date.”

Some of that email was redacted, but it also read: “And to appoint such a failure of a politician to such an important post is ridiculous: A man who has virtually singlehandedly bankrupted our country, saddling every man, woman and child with crippling debt.”

Another wrote: “This is a continuation of the alarming trend of politicisation of the University of Otago, and is entirely inappropriate for an academic institution of your stature.”

The emailer noted Robertson’s lack of an academic background. “Again, I am appalled by this appointment, which materially diminishes a once great academic institution. Shame on you.”

Another emailed to say they were rethinking their seven-figure bequest.

The role has an annual salary of $629,000 and accommodation at University Lodge.

The university declined to comment on the emails.