Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Business leader Dame Theresa Gattung and legal luminary Sir David Carruthers will receive honorary doctorates from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington during its December graduation.
Each recipient boasts impressive career achievements, while leading public service focused pursuits ranging from gender parity and animal welfare, to advocacy for restorative and therapeutic justice.
They will be presented with their honorary doctorates at graduation ceremonies on Thursday 11 December 2025.
Dame Theresa Gattung to receive Doctor of Commerce
Distinguished alumna Dame Theresa Gattung is an award-winning business leader who throughout her career has championed causes such as gender parity, animal welfare, and social equity. She will be presented with a Doctor of Commerce.
Born in Wellington to British immigrants who instilled a strong work ethic, Dame Therese studied economics and marketing at the University of Waikato, earning a Bachelor of Management Studies.
Upon graduating, she moved to Wellington to study law at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1988.
While studying, Dame Theresa began working in marketing at TVNZ, before eventually joining Telecom New Zealand, now known as Spark, in 1994.
At the age of 37, Dame Theresa was appointed chief executive officer of Telecom, making history as the first woman to lead a publicly listed company in New Zealand. During her tenure as CEO from 1999 to 2007, she took it from a traditional telecommunications company to become the number one IT provider in New Zealand.
In 2010, she wrote the bestselling memoir Bird on a Wire: The inside story from a straight-talking CEO (Penguin NZ).
Three years later, Dame Theresa co-founded the to-your-door grocery and recipe service My Food Bag.
She credits her studies at Victoria University of Wellington with teaching her about a lot more than law.
“My law degree at Victoria University prepared me well for my business career. I learnt to always be prepared for the unexpected and to respond in as concise yet as powerful a way as possible. I also learnt that preparation matters.”
In addition to numerous governance roles, Dame Theresa is involved with several not-for-profit and philanthropic interests, including as chair of the Wellington Board of the SPCA, and as a board member of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women.
Having received many honours during her career, in 2024, Dame Theresa Gattung was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women, governance, and philanthropy.
“I am thrilled to be receiving an Honorary Doctorate in the city I was born, which my parents chose as their home upon immigrating to New Zealand.”
Sir David Carruthers to receive Doctor of Laws
Alumnus Sir David Carruthers is a long-serving and highly respected member of Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal community. He will be presented with a Doctor of Laws.
He studied at Victoria University of Wellington, where he completed a Bachelor of Laws in 1964 and a Master of Laws with Honours in 1968.
After graduating, he began his legal career in Wellington before returning to practise law in his hometown of Pahiatua. He then established his own law practice in Palmerston North.
In 1985, he was appointed a Family Court Judge and Youth Court Judge in Wellington. He became Principal Youth Court Judge in 1996. Five years later he was appointed Chief District Court Judge—a position he held until 2005.
Following his retirement from the judiciary, he served as Chairman of the New Zealand Parole Board, overseeing a period of significant reform focused on safety, fairness, and rehabilitation.
He was then appointed Chairman of the Independent Police Conduct Authority, serving from 2012 to 2017. During his tenure he oversaw several large investigations, including those into the Urewera raids and the Roastbusters scandal.
Throughout his career, Sir David has been a strong advocate for restorative and therapeutic justice. He believes communities should play an active role in resolving harm and supporting both victims and offenders to achieve lasting change.
Sir David continues to contribute his expertise as a member of the Advisory Board for the Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families and Children at Victoria University of Wellington and described his own time there as a student as “life-changing”.
“Not only did I learn from highly qualified and committed teachers about the law and its application to all aspects of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and its philosophy and culture, but I also made life-long friends there who have supported and enriched my life,” he says.
Since 2021, he has been the Independent Implementation Monitor, overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Victorian Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.
In recognition of his exceptional career, Sir David was knighted by the Governor-General in 2009.
Chancellor Alan Judge said, “The University is proud to recognise two celebrated alumni, who have gone beyond their career achievements by contributing their knowledge and experience to give back to the wider community.”
