The Vice Chancellor’s Rumoured Midday Gym Rendezvous

The arrival of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s new Vice Chancellor Nic Smith has been a largely quiet transition. Besides making a cameo in VUW’s TikTok as the university’s “hot new bombshell”, Nic Smith’s tenure has been a muted affair. But one bizarre allegation has dominated the discussion of our new VC.

According to urban legend, Smith is partial to a lunchtime workout at the University Recreation gym. One eyewitness told Salient they frequently spot the VC “walking to and from the gym. [...] He’s always wearing sport shoes and running shorts and a lil activewear shirt.”When asked if the sighting could be of another gym-going Nic Smith lookalike, the source said they were certain it was the real VC. “It's definitely him.”

University Recreation refused to be pressed about whether gym staff had spotted the VC using the facility, keeping us in the dark around his alleged exercise habits.

Salient decided to go straight to the source, asking Smith for a comment on his exercise habits. Although we didn't hear from the man himself, a spokesperson for the university confirmed that he does in fact visit the university gym. “The timing of his visits to the University Recreation Centre depends on his other commitments.''

“The Vice-Chancellor finds that maintaining good health through regular exercise and good nutrition is important for helping him function well in the role. He supports other staff and students who find the same,” the spokesperson said.