The University of Waikato

11/10/2026

Meet film student and aspiring director Jesse Larson as he walks us through his short film, 'Morning Rush', that he created for Film Production: Telling Stories.

In this hands-on paper, students learn how to bring stories to life on screen, gaining experience in filming, sound recording, editing, and working collaboratively through the full filmmaking process.

Watch the full video in the link in comments ⬇️

If you'd like to see more of what our emerging filmmakers have been working on this trimester, join us for a free film screening on October 15th, 9-11am in L.G.05.

10/10/2026

Are you a 2025 University of Waikato graduate?

We’d love to know what you’ve been up to since graduating. The Graduate Destination Survey helps us understand where our graduates are now, whether that’s in work, further study, travelling, running a business or exploring what comes next.

If you graduated in 2025, check your email for your individual survey link and complete it by Sunday 25 October.

You’ll go in the draw to win:
🎁 1 x $1,000 Prezzy card + University of Waikato Leavers Hoodie
🎁 10 x $150 Prezzy cards
🎁 5 x University of Waikato Leavers Hoodies

Haven’t received your survey email? Contact [email protected] and the team can help.

09/10/2026

Nerdfest is back this month 👾

Think robots, AI, gaming, cyber security and hands-on tech you can actually try.

If you have a young person in your life who’s curious about how things work, this is a great opportunity to spark their interest. Nerdfest is a free, family-friendly event designed to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) accessible, interactive and genuinely fun.

At Nerdfest, you can explore hands-on activities inspired by real research across areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, coding and gaming. It’s a chance to see how these subjects come to life beyond the classroom - and what future study or career pathways could look like.

📅 Friday 30 October 2026
⏰ 3:00pm – 6:30pm
📍 The Pā, University of Waikato, Hamilton Campus

Entry is free, and all ages are welcome. Costumes are encouraged, with spot prizes on the day.

09/10/2026

From bestselling novels to the courtroom and the boardroom, three University of Waikato graduates are making their mark around the world.

Ma Boyong, Judge Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii and Mark Troughear were recognised at the University of Waikato’s Distinguished Alumni Awards, celebrating their achievements in literature, justice and business.

Ma Boyong has become one of China’s most prominent contemporary writers, Judge Papalii was sworn in as Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Samoa in 2026, and Mark Troughear leads Freightways, a major logistics business operating across New Zealand and Australia.

Their journeys are a reminder of the many different paths our graduates take and the impact they make in their fields and communities.

Read their stories and learn more about the awards in the comments ⤵️

09/10/2026

07/10/2026

Picturebooks aren’t just for storytelling - they can shape how we see the world and even inspire change.

Join us for the 2026 WaiPRU Picturebook Seminar, where authors, scholars, publishers and librarians come together to explore how picturebooks can both reflect and drive social and environmental change.

📅 26 November
📍 University of Waikato, Hamilton campus
🎟️ $50

More details and registration via the link in the comments ⬇️

06/10/2026

The University of Waikato’s connections with employers and the wider business community play an important role in our global reputation, while our graduates, research and partnerships contribute to the growth and future of the region.

We asked employers from across the region why having a world-class university matters to their businesses and to the future of our region.

If you employ University of Waikato graduates or alumni, please sign up to take part in the QS Global Employer Reputation Survey and help showcase the contribution of our graduates and the strength of our region on the global stage.

Sign up via the link in the comments ⬇️

06/10/2026

Coaching is about more than what happens on the field.

For elite athletes, pressure can build long before competition day. Training, recovery, making the team, keeping a place, managing injury and illness, travelling and being away from home can all add to the load.

Understanding those pressures is an important part of supporting athletes and helping them perform.

Dr Brett Smith, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Human Movement at the University of Waikato, shares his perspective on the demands athletes face throughout their journey, and why coaches need to be mindful of the pressures their athletes are under.

Interested in learning more about sport, human performance and what it takes to work in this space? Learn more about the School of Sport and Human Movement at the University of Waikato. Link in comments.

04/10/2026

The 2026 Sargeson Prize winners have been announced, celebrating another year of outstanding short story writing from across New Zealand.

Congratulations to Wellington writer Mikee Donato, who has won the Open Division and $15,000 for her story ‘Wilding Pines’.

This year’s competition attracted a record 1,519 entries, highlighting the strength and diversity of short story writing in New Zealand.

The Secondary Schools Division was won by 18-year-old Haelyn King from Green Bay High School in West Auckland for ‘When the Pōhutukawa Blooms’. Her story explores youth mental health and toxic masculinity, and she will receive $2,000 and a one-week writing residency at the University of Waikato.

The University of Waikato supports the Sargeson Prize and the writers who continue to bring new stories, voices and perspectives to New Zealand literature.

Congratulations to Mikee, Haelyn and all this year’s entrants and finalists, and thank you to Chief Judge Becky Manawatu for her time and expertise.

Read the full story and see the full list of 2026 winners in the comments ⬇️

03/10/2026

New University of Waikato research explores the role identity may play in debates about the return of cultural heritage taken during the colonial era.

Dr Olli Hellmann and Dr Tola Amusan from the Te Rākau Kotahi School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy examined more than 6,000 anonymous online posts responding to Relooted, a South African-made video game centred on the return of African cultural artefacts.

Their research found that some of the discussion was shaped by how people understood Western identity and history, suggesting that restitution debates can involve questions of identity and belonging alongside legal and practical considerations.

The research also has relevance here in New Zealand, where thousands of Māori and Moriori cultural heritage items remain overseas. There have also been significant returns, including Hinemihi o Te Ao Tawhito, a historic wharenui taken to England in the 1890s.

The researchers say understanding the different perspectives involved can help create more open conversations about the history of cultural objects and their return.

Read the full story in the comments⬇️