Harlene Hayne

Early life and education Born in Oklahoma and raised in Colorado,

Career She served on the Academic Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Marsden Fund Council, and the New Zealand National Science Panel.

Hayne is a leading researcher in memory development in infants, children, adolescents and adults and her work has been cited in legal proceedings both nationally and internationally.

During Hayne's tenure as Vice-Chancellor, staff numbers (FTE) increased from 3,749 in 2011 to 4,154 in 2020, her last full year as Vice-Chancellor. Over the same period, student numbers decreased from 19,568 (EFTS) to 18,722, partly attributed to the introduction of an enrolment limitation system aimed at slowing growth and "giving priority to higher calibre students". Māori enrolments increased significantly during her term including in the medical programme. In these cuts she worked closely with then Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Humanities, Tony Ballantyne.

In early October 2020, it was reported that Hayne would be finishing her term as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Otago in 2021 to assume the position of Vice Chancellor at Curtin University in Perth; before completing her second five-year term at Otago University. Her successor as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, Professor David Murdoch, stepped down less than 18 months after being appointed after a period of ill health and was replaced by The Hon Grant Robertson.

In May 2025, Professor Hayne was unanimously appointed to a second 5-year term at Curtin University with the university's Chancellor noting that 'Curtin has a bold vision and an outstanding leader at the helm'.

Recognition In the 2009 New Year Honours, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to scientific and medical research.

In 2017, Hayne was selected as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's "150 women in 150 words", celebrating the contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand. In 2021, she was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Otago.

In the 2022 New Year Honours, Hayne was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health and wellbeing.

Selected works