University of Waikato
The University of Waikato (Māori: Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato), established in 1964, is a public research university located in Hamilton, New Zealand. It also has an additional campus in Tauranga. The university is known for its strong research performance across a range of disciplines, including education, social sciences, management, and environmental sciences. It has made significant contributions in areas such as marine and freshwater ecology, engineering, and computer science.
From its inception, the University of Waikato envisioned Māori studies as a central feature of its academic framework. To support this vision, the Centre for Māori Studies and Research was established in the School of Social Sciences in 1972. This initiative laid the foundation for the university’s ongoing commitment to Māori culture, language, and studies.
In 1996, the university further strengthened its focus on Māori and Pacific development by establishing a separate School of Māori and Pacific Development. This development culminated in 2016 when the school was officially renamed Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao, the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, signifying a formal recognition of the importance of Māori and Indigenous perspectives in higher education.
In 1999, the university also undertook a reorganization, merging the original Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences to create the School of Arts and Social Sciences, which further streamlined its academic offerings and promoted a more integrated approach to the humanities and social sciences disciplines.
These initiatives reflect the University of Waikato’s long-standing commitment to Māori and Indigenous education, ensuring that these areas continue to be key pillars of its academic and research excellence.
Programs Offered
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FACULTY / COLLEGE |
PROGRAMS |
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Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies |
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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences |
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Faculty of Education |
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Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences |
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Faculty of Science |
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Faculty of Engineering |
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Faculty of Management |
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Faculty of Law |
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Faculty of Arts and Communication |
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Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance |
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Faculty of Environmental Sciences |
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Faculty of Education |
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