Alan Stewart

Sir Alan Stewart was a leader whose contributions to Massey University and New Zealand’s agricultural education sector were profound and enduring. Born in Auckland on 8 December 1917, Stewart demonstrated academic and sporting ability from a young age. He began his studies at Auckland University College in 1936, transferred to Massey Agricultural College in 1937, and completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1939. In 1940s, he completed a Master of Agricultural Science with first-class honours and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. During his student years, Stewart served as President of the Students’ Association (1938–1939) and Captain of the Rugby Club (1939–1940).

World War II interrupted his academic career, and Stewart served in the Royal Navy. After the war, he started working as an assistant lecturer at Massey Agricultural College and was able to take up his Rhodes Scholarship, studying at University College, Oxford, where he earned a DPhil in 1949 for his research on selection in pedigree dairy shorthorns. He also earned an Oxford Blue in rugby and briefly represented Scotland before an injury ended his playing career.

Returning to Massey in 1950, Stewart was appointed Senior Lecturer in the Dairy Husbandry Department. After four years, in order to gain overseas experience, he moved to London to work for the Milk Marketing Board of England and Wales. In 1959, he returned to New Zealand to take up the role of Principal of Massey Agricultural College.

Stewart’s leadership was instrumental in the transformation of Massey from a specialist agricultural college into a fully autonomous university. He oversaw the merger with Palmerston North University College and the establishment of Massey University in 1964, becoming its first Vice-Chancellor. His tenure was marked by significant expansion, including the development of new faculties, buildings, and research facilities, as well as the growth of Massey’s distance learning programmes, which greatly increased access to tertiary education across New Zealand.

Stewart was known not only for his administrative acumen but also for his respect for the natural environment. He took a personal interest in the preservation of the campus’s landscape, flora, and fauna, and was committed to ensuring Massey’s agricultural and environmental programmes were world-class.

Sir Alan Stewart retired in 1983 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Massey University in 1984. He spent his retirement years near Whakatāne, where he remained until his death on 1 September 2004.

"Honorary doctorate citation, Sir Alan Stewart, 1984". Tāmiro. Massey University Library. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

Marsden, Lucy, Courtney, Lesley & Bartleet, Michael, Floreat Agricultura: A History of Agriculture and Horticulture at Massey University 1927-2002 (Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University Agriculture, 2002), page 53.

Falconer, Phoebe (11 September 2004), "Obituary: Sir Alan Stewart", The New Zealand Herald, Retrieved 27 March 2020.

Marsden, Lucy, Sir Alan Stewart. Principal of Massey Agricultural College, 1959-1963, Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, 1964-1983. A memorial (Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University, 2006).