University of Waikato explained

University of Waikato
Motto:Maori: Ko te tangata
Mottoeng:For The People
Established:1964; years ago
Endowment: (31 December 2021)[1]
Budget:NZD $263.6 million (31 December 2020)
Vice Chancellor:Neil Quigley
Country:New Zealand (Māori: Kirikiriroa, Waikato, Aotearoa)
Administrative Staff:1,499 (FTS, 2020)[2]
Students:10,537 (EFTS, 2021) [3]
Campus:Suburban
65 ha (160 acres)
Free Label:Student Magazine
Colours:UW Red, Gold and Black
Website:Waikato.ac.nz
Coor:-37.7869°N 175.3139°W

The University of Waikato (Maori: Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato), established in 1964, is a public research university located in Hamilton, New Zealand. An additional campus is located in Tauranga.[4] The university performs research in numerous disciplines such as education, social sciences, and management and is an innovator in environmental science, marine and freshwater ecology, engineering and computer science.It offers degrees in health, engineering, computer science, management, Māori and Indigenous Studies, the arts, psychology, social sciences and education.[5]

History

In the mid-1950s, regional and national leaders recognised the need for a new university and urged the then University of New Zealand (UNZ) and the government to establish one in Hamilton. Their campaign coincided with a shortage of school teachers, and after years of lobbying, Minister of Education Philip Skoglund agreed to open a teachers' college in the region.In 1960, the newly established Hamilton Teachers' College, joined by a fledgling university (initially a branch of the University of Auckland), opened a joint campus at Ruakura

In 1964, the two institutions moved to their new home, and the following year the University of Waikato was officially opened by then Governor-General Sir Bernard Fergusson.[6]

At that time, the university comprised a School of Humanities and a School of Social Sciences. In 1969 a School of Science was established.[7] This was followed by the creation of the Waikato Management School in 1972, Computer Science and Computing Services in 1973, and the School of Law in 1990.[8]

In 1990 the Hamilton Teacher's college merged with the University of Waikato [9]

From the beginning, it was envisaged that Māori studies should be a key feature of the new university, and the Centre for Māori Studies and Research was established in the School of Social Sciences in 1972. A separate School of Māori and Pacific Development was formally established in 1996 and in 2016, became Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao, Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.[10] In 1999, the original Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences were merged to form the School of Arts and Social Sciences.[11]

In 2018 the university was reorganised under a divisional structure which resulted in its Schools and Faculties being brought under four Divisions and a School; Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences, Division of Education, Division of Health, Engineering and Computer Sciences, Waikato Management School and the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies. Although the university has had a presence in Tauranga since the 1990s, it officially opened its dedicated Tauranga campus in 2019 located in Tauranga's CBD. This added to the university's presence in the Bay of Plenty with the Adams Centre for High Performance in Mount Maunganui and the Coastal Marine Field Station in Sulphur Point on the Tauranga Harbour. In November 2020, the university also opened a new algal research and aquaculture facility in Sulphur Point.

In July 2023, the Pā was opened in the heart of the University, following years of preparation and construction. The structure's name, the , refers to a fortified Māori village/settlement, occurring mainly north of New Zealand's Lake Taupō. Key components of this structure include the Marae, inside which is a Wharenui (meeting house), and the Student Hub, which includes study and meeting spaces, food and beverage retail stores, a social space, and a multi-purpose stage.[12]

Proposed medical school

In October 2016, Waikato University and the Waikato District Health Board made a joint bid to the New Zealand Government to establish a third medical school in Hamilton. While the bid was opposed by the University of Auckland and the University of Otago (which host New Zealand's two medical schools), it was supported by Hamilton East Member of Parliament (MP) David Bennett of the National Party.[13] On 10 April 2017, several local and regional territorial councils voiced support for the proposed Waikato medical school at a meeting of the Waikato Mayoral Forum in Hamilton.[14] In November 2017, the Waikato District Health Board reiterated its support for the third medical school and outlined its proposal. The Waikato proposal envisioned a four-year graduate entry program focusing on clinical training and supporting local clinical services.[15]

In late June 2018, Waikato District Health Board interim chief executive Derek Wright confirmed there was no update on the third medical school apart from an indication that the Government would not make a decision on the proposal until 2019. Wright stated that district health board would continue lobbying for the Waikato medical school proposal.[16] In 2019, the Labour-led coalition government rejected the idea of establishing a third medical school and instead supported Health Minister David Clark's proposal for multi-disciplinary training hubs in rural areas. In November 2019, the National Party released a discussion document on education supporting the Waikato proposal during the lead-up to the 2020 New Zealand general election. National's proposal was supported by Waikato University Vice Chancellor Neil Quigley, the Waikato District Health Board, and the New Zealand General Practice Network.[17]

In May 2021, the university School of Health's leadership Dean Sarah Strasser and rural health Professor Roger Strasser revived the medical school proposal and proposed partnering with Māori, Pasifika and the rural community to improve local access to health services. This announcement came in light of the Labour Government's plans to reform the 20 district health boards into a Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority). The Health Minister Andrew Little did not rule out the Waikato medical school proposal during a rural health conference in Taupō but stated that work was needed. The National Party's health spokesperson Shane Reti supported the revived Waikato proposal, stating it was an opportunity to train rural doctors and partner with Māori communities.[18]

In early July 2023, the National Party made campaign pledge to build the Waikato medical school during the leadup to the 2023 New Zealand general election.[19] [20] In September 2023, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported that Vice-Chancellor Quigley had worked with several National Party figures including health spokesperson Reti, former National cabinet minister Steven Joyce and his lobbying firm Joyce Advisory to develop National's Waikato medical school policy. Waikato University then hired Joyce's former press secretary and political advisor Anna Lillis to promote the school. In response, Tertiary Education Union's Waikato University organiser Shane Vugler criticised the university leadership for compromising its political independence. According RNZ, Quigley had told a senior National MP that the Waikato Medical School could be a "gift" for a future National government.[21] In June 2023, RNZ had also reported that Waikato University had paid nearly NZ$1 million in consultancy fees to Joyce Advisory.[22] In response to media coverage, Luxon defended Waikato University's process for establishing a third medical school, and emphasised that National and Waikato had supported the proposal for several years.[23]

Administration and organisation

The university is organized around faculties and schools, grouped in divisions; as of 2024:[24]

Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences

Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science

Division of Education

Division of Management

University of Waikato College

The college primarily supports interenational students and pre-masters studies and diplomas.

Executive leadership

The chief executive of the University of Waikato is the vice-chancellor, currently Professor Neil Quigley, who was appointed to a five-year term in 2014 and another in 2019. The university is governed by a council, headed by the university's chancellor, who is currently former New Zealand governor-general Sir Anand Satyanand.[25]

Te Rōpū Manukura was formed in 1991 as a consultative body to the university council. Te Rōpū Manukura is currently made up of members from over 20 different iwi within the catchment area of the university.

The following list shows the university's chancellors:[26]

NamePortraitTerm
align=center 1 1964–1969
align=center 2 Bruce McKenzie 1970–1972
align=center 3 Henry Bennett1973–1978
align=center 4 Douglas Arcus 1979–1980
align=center 5 1981–1985
align=center (3) Henry Bennett 1986–1987
align=center 6 1988–1991
align=center 7 Gerald Bailey 1992–1997
align=center 8 Caroline Bennett1998–2002
align=center 9 John Gallagher 2003–2005
align=center 10 John Jackman 2006–2007
align=center 11 Jim Bolger2007–2019
align=center 12 2019–present

Research

The university has several research institutes and research centres, as well as numerous other research groups and projects; as of 2024:[27]

Research institutes

Research centres

Campuses

The University of Waikato operates from two campuses, Hamilton, and Tauranga. Undergraduate degrees are also offered through a joint-institute on a satellite campus at Zhejiang University City College in Hangzhou.[28]

Hamilton

The main Hamilton campus is spread over 64 hectares of landscaped gardens and lakes, and includes extensive sporting and recreational areas. Originally farmland, the campus was designed by architect John Blake-Kelly in 1964. The open space landscaping contains extensive native plantings, including a fernery, centred around three lakes.

Tauranga

The University of Waikato previously shared campuses with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in Tauranga at Windmere in the central city. In March 2019, the university opened a stand-alone campus in the central city.[29]

The Student Centre officially opened in 2011 by Waikato alumnus Governor-General Jerry Mateparae.[30]

Rankings

Arwu W:801–900
Arwu W Year:2023
Arwu W Ref:[31]
Qs W:235
Qs W Year:2025
Qs W Ref:[32]
The W:401–500
The W Year:2024
The W Ref:[33]
Usnwr W:=739
Usnwr W Year:2023
Usnwr W Ref:[34]

In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the University of Waikato ranked 235th globally.[35] Additionally, the university has been ranked between 501 and 600 for the Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings and between 101 and 200 in the THE Impact Rankings.[36]

Notable people

Notable alumni

See main article: category.

Waikato Management School

Division of Arts, Law and Social Sciences

Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences and Science

Division of Education

Faculty of Maori and Indigenous Studies

The University of Waikato's official website lists other notable alumni, referred as "Distinguished Alumni" by the university.[38]

Notable academic staff and honorary doctorates

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University of Waikato Anuual Report 2021. 1 December 2022.
  2. Web site: University of Waikato Annual Report 2020. Waikato.ac.nz. 23 July 2021. 23 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723051330/https://www.waikato.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/707205/University-of-Waikato-Annual-Report-2020.pdf. live.
  3. Web site: 2021 at a Glance . 2021 Annual Report of the University of Waikato . 10 July 2023.
  4. Web site: History of University of Waikato: University of Waikato. www.waikato.ac.nz. 11 January 2019. 24 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190124134925/https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/history.shtml. live.
  5. Web site: Qualifications. www.waikato.ac.nz. 23 July 2021. 15 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815074221/https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/qualifications. live.
  6. Day, Paul. (1984) From The Ground Up: An informal chronicle of the genesis and development of the University of Waikato 1964–1984. University of Waikato, pp. 6, 18,-27, 30, 55, 56, 58–60, 157–9, 172–5, 219.
  7. Celebrating 40 years of Science & Engineering, 1969–2009, University of Waikato (2009), p. 1
  8. Web site: New Name for Faculty. Waikato.ac.nz. 26 March 2014. 29 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034537/http://www.waikato.ac.nz/law/faculty/te_piringa. live.
  9. Book: Alcorn, Noeline . Ko te tangata : a history of the University of Waikato : the first fifty years . . 2014 . 9781927242322 . Wellington New Zealand.
  10. University of Waikato Calendar 1996, p. 31
  11. University of Waikato Calendar 1999, p. 16
  12. https://www.waikato.ac.nz/major-projects/the-pa The University of Waikato->Major Projects-> The Pā
  13. News: Goodwin . Eileen . Waikato medical school plan 'expensive folly . 13 September 2023 . . 19 October 2016.
  14. Web site: Waikato councils back medical school proposal . . 13 September 2023 . 11 April 2017 .
  15. Lawrenson . Ross . Wright . Derek . Thomas . Ayla . Response to Dr Caleb Armstrong: proposed Waikato medical school . The New Zealand Medical Journal . 10 November 2017 . 130 . 1465 . 116–117 . 29121633 . 13 September 2023.
  16. News: Lines-McKenzie . Jo . Proposed Waikato medical school decision is on ice . 13 September 2023 . . 27 June 2018.
  17. News: Leaman . Aaron . Waikato medical school bid brought back to life . 13 September 2023 . . 15 November 2019.
  18. News: Kerr . Florence . Breath of life for Waikato Medical School in cultural and rural partnerships . 13 September 2023 . . 1 May 2021.
  19. News: Lines-McKenzie . Jo . National backs third medical school in Waikato . 10 July 2023 . . 5 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707133954/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/waikato/132482735/national-backs-third-medical-school-in-waikato . 7 July 2023. live.
  20. News: Ellis . Fiona . National pledges Dunedin hospital budget boost . 10 July 2023 . . 7 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708123919/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/national-pledges-dunedin-hospital-budget-boost . 8 July 2023. live.
  21. News: Espiner . Guyon . University of Waikato boss referred to new medical school as a 'present' for future National government . 11 September 2023 . . 5 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907155940/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/497281/university-of-waikato-boss-referred-to-new-medical-school-as-a-present-for-future-national-government . 7 September 2023. live.
  22. News: Waikato University pays firm nearly $1million for advice . 11 September 2023 . . 13 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230904195238/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018894120/waikato-university-pays-firm-nearly-dollar1million-for-advice . 4 September 2023. live.
  23. News: National, Waikato University planning third medical school 'for years' - Luxon . 11 September 2023 . . 6 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230906020540/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/497364/national-waikato-university-planning-third-medical-school-for-years-luxon . 6 September 2023.
  24. Web site: Divisions, Faculties and Schools of Studies . waikato.ac.nz . 5 July 2024.
  25. News: Waikato University announces Sir Anand Satyanand as new chancellor . Aaron . Leaman . 6 August 2019 . Stuff.co.nz . 21 December 2021.
  26. Web site: Former Chancellors of the University of Waikato . University of Waikato . 20 December 2021.
  27. Web site: Research institutes, centres and groups . waikato.ac.nz/research . 5 July 2024.
  28. Web site: Biddle. Donna Lee. University of Waikato offers students degree overseas. Stuff. 12 October 2017. 18 October 2021. 13 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200213043048/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/97680695/university-of-waikato-offers-students-degree-overseas. live.
  29. Web site: Hunter. Zoe. Exclusive: Tauranga's new university campus a year ahead of deadline. New Zealand Herald. 11 May 2018. 4 February 2019. 7 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015501/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503351&gal_cid=1503351&gallery_id=192752. live.
  30. Web site: University of Waikato Student Centre – Portfolio. Warren and Mahoney. 26 March 2014. 4 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104033128/http://www.warrenandmahoney.com/en/portfolio/university-of-waikato-student-centre/. live.
  31. Web site: ARWU World University Rankings 2023. www.shanghairanking.com. 26 August 2022.
  32. Web site: QS World University Rankings 2024. 19 June 2023. topuniversities.com. 26 August 2023.
  33. Web site: World University Rankings. 6 August 2023. timeshighereducation.com. 26 August 2023.
  34. Web site: U.S. News Education: Best Global Universities 2022-23. 23 November 2023.
  35. Web site: University of Waikato . 2024-06-04 . Top Universities . en.
  36. Web site: Rankings and Reputation. The University of Waikato. 23 July 2021. 16 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816224111/https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/rankings-and-reputation. live.
  37. Web site: University of Waikato.
  38. Web site: Alumni and friends . University of Waikato . 23 July 2021 . 15 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815074218/https://alumni.waikato.ac.nz/ . live .