The Politics Programme is a vibrant community of experts from many different countries who take students and students’ interests seriously. Our staff are all experts in their fields, and all are actively engaged in research which enriches their teaching.
Politics staff will respond to emails only during business hours Monday–Friday.
Head of Politics
Associate Professor Brian Roper
New Zealand politics, political economy, social inequality, gender and feminism, Marxism, history and theories of democracy
Academic staff
Professor Lisa Ellis
Political Theory
PhPE Director
Dr Leon Goldsmith
Middle Eastern and Comparative Politics
Professor Janine Hayward
New Zealand politics, Treaty of Waitangi, environmental politics, local government, electoral systems and reform, constitutional politics
Kaiāwhina Māori
Associate Professor James Headley
Russian foreign policy, the European Union, nationalism and ethnic conflict, International Relations theory
On research and study leave in semester 2, 2020
Dr David Jenkins
Political theory
Associate Professor Nicholas Khoo
China's foreign and security policy, international relations of Asia, International Relations theory, strategic studies, Cold War history
Student Exchange Adviser
Professor Philip Nel
The political economy of inequality, corruption and development, foreign policies of emerging powers, ethics and international relations
PhD Co-ordinator
Professor Robert Patman
US foreign policy, international relations, global security, great powers and the Horn of Africa
On research and study leave in semester 2, 2020
MIntSt Director
International student contact
Dr Chris Rudd
Politics of the media
MPols Convenor (2020)
HUMS301 contact
Associate Professor Vicki Spencer
Contemporary political theory, multiculturalism, toleration, the politics of recognition, humility, comparative political theory, feminist theory, History of Ideas including J. G. Herder, the Enlightenment, John Locke
Dr Lena Tan
Postcolonialism, International Relations theory, constructivism, identity, Indonesia, US foreign policy
MA Admissions
Dip Grad contact
Emeritus Professor
Professor Jim Flynn
Emeritus Professor, Joint Department of Psychology
Professor William Harris
Politics and history of the Levant states and Turkey, Middle East comparative and international politics
Honorary staff
Dr Najibullah Lafraie
General staff
Justine Marshall
Client Services Administrator
