Pacific at Waikato

Pacific at Waikato Representing the Pacific student community at the University of Waikato. Welcome to the University of Waikato! Our Pacific theme at Waikato is imua.

Kia orāna, mālō e lelei, tālofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu, ni sa bula vinaka, taloha ni, halo olaketa, kia orana, ko na mauri, tālofa, aloha and warm Pacific greetings. For many of us with roots in the Pacific, imua or words like it are familiar to us. In te reo Māori, i mua atu means “before”. In Samoa, muamua means “to advance”, and also “before” and “unprecedented”. In Tonga, laka atu ki muʻa me

ans “go forward”. In other places, the words also translate. In Kiribati, tere means “to go forward” while waki can mean “to go forward” but also “to realize”. In Hawai̒i, imua can also mean “before” but often means “forward” or “go forward”. In Hawai̒i, it is a famous battle cry and motto. When you come to Waikato, we want you to imua. Wherever you are now – whether honours student, first-in-family, school leaver, mature learner or not – we want you to go forward, to progress and strive. We also want you to lead from the front, to set an example and to help lift others to do better too. For this reason, we have a great team of dedicated staff and various resources in place to assist your journey.

Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Happy Samoan Language Week We’re excited to share that the full schedule for Samoan...
01/06/2026

Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Happy Samoan Language Week

We’re excited to share that the full schedule for Samoan Language Week is now live. As part of this week’s programme, join us for a special workshop featuring Sau Lau Young, Lecturer in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies. Sau will speak to this year’s theme, “E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu’u,” translated as “From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.”

Together with supporting members of the Samoan community, Sau will share insights into Samoan culture, language, and traditions. We look forward to seeing you at the workshop and getting everyone involved in the coffee exercise as part of our Samoan Language Week celebrations.

Our Lunch and Launch session will be held today in person on our Hamilton Campus at the Pā in Te Kōpuroa from 12pm - 1pm.

📚 Calling the Island Initiative - Exam Preparation Workshop!📚We’re extending an open invite to all our Pacific tauira to...
27/05/2026

📚 Calling the Island Initiative - Exam Preparation Workshop!📚

We’re extending an open invite to all our Pacific tauira to join us today at 12pm in The Conch for our Exam Preparation Workshop.

This session is all about helping you study smarter, manage stress, and get you prepared and ready to take on your exams.

✨Here's the teams link for you to join our session online:

🔗 https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/42059235379079?p=aLEHzjBx7x7Iq0PHz1

Meeting ID: 420 592 353 790 79
Passcode: 4P3gp9SD

✨ Participation is free, but registration is required. Here's the link for you to register:

🔗 https://crmwaikatoportal.powerappsportals.com/events/event/?id=a2789fd1-8758-f111-bec6-70a8a55502a4

We look forward to seeing you there. Ia Manuia!

Have you contributed to our Pacific communities and achieved success in your studies this year? If yes, then did you kno...
11/05/2026

Have you contributed to our Pacific communities and achieved success in your studies this year? If yes, then did you know that the scholarship is now open for applications?

You may be eligible to apply for the TAPA – Tertiary Achievement in Pacific Ako Awards, which recognise Pacific excellence across three key areas:

• Tertiary‑level academic achievement
• Future study plans and aspirations
• Pacific cultural and community contribution, both on‑ and off‑campus

…BUT before you submit, consider attending our information session held tomorrow. It’s the perfect opportunity to get clarity, ask questions, and ensure your application is as strong as possible.

The Pacific at Waikato Team, together with the Scholarships Team and the Careers Development Team, have joined forces to host an information session for our current Pacific tauira. This session will guide you through the awards, the criteria, and how to prepare a strong application.

Many of our Pacific students don’t realise that the work they do in their communities, mentoring, volunteering, cultural leadership, church involvement, advocacy, supporting peers, counts and deserves to be celebrated.

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), come along to our TAPA Awards Information Session. Scan the QR code to register online. What’s brilliant is that this session is held online via Microsoft Teams, making it easy for you to join from wherever you are.

We recommend reviewing the TAPA scholarship regulations beforehand and coming prepared with any questions you may have. Make the most of this session and set yourself up for a strong application.

We look forward to seeing you there!

🌺 Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta, Rotuma Language Week! 🌺Join us as we celebrate Gagana Rotuma with a series of activities hap...
10/05/2026

🌺 Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta, Rotuma Language Week! 🌺

Join us as we celebrate Gagana Rotuma with a series of activities happening across our Hamilton campus this week. Come along, learn something new, and connect with the richness of Rotuman culture.

✨ What’s On This Week:

📍 Rotuma Language Week Lunch & Launch
Join us for a special workshop featuring Georgia Penjueli, a third‑year Bachelor of Laws student, alongside members of the Rotuman community. They’ll be sharing their culture, language, and traditions.

Here are the details of the workshop:
📌 Gallagher Performing Arts Centre, GAPA – Upstairs Lounge
⏰ 12:00pm – 1:00pm

📍 'Say the Pacific Phrase, Earn A Free Coffee' Challenge!
Visit Georgia at the Rotuman Language Week display area to learn a Rotuman phrase. Once you’ve practiced and spoken the phrase, you’ll receive a stamp.
Show your stamp at the Kahurangi kiosk to enjoy a free hot beverage.

📍 Rotuman Display Activity – Library, M Block Level 2
Explore the beautiful Rotuman display, spot the lollipop stand, and reflect on our Past–Present–Future question. Submit your answer and go in the draw to win a prize.

Come celebrate, learn, and be part of the Rotuman Language Week festivities. We look forward to seeing you there. Faiåkse’ea!

✨ Māori & Pacific Networking Event - THURSDAY! ✨An event dedicated to all of our current Māori and Pacific students and ...
04/05/2026

✨ Māori & Pacific Networking Event - THURSDAY! ✨

An event dedicated to all of our current Māori and Pacific students and we want YOU to be part of it!

This is your chance to:
🤙🏽 Connect with inspiring Māori & Pacific professionals
🤙🏽 Build confidence in a relaxed, supportive space
🤙🏽 Grow your network and open new opportunities
🤙🏽 Mix, mingle, and meet people who want to see you thrive

The Careers and Capability team will be hosting this event and bringing along key organisations from across Aotearoa for you to connect with. It’s a great opportunity to meet potential employers, ask questions about their industries, and use this time to think about your future pathways.

Remember, we also have a workshop on our Hamilton campus tomorrow at M Block (see our previous post) to help you prepare and make the most of these conversations.

Full event details are on the poster, don’t forget to scan the code!
We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate our Māori & Pacific excellence together.

If you want, I can also help you format the full invite or create a shorter social media version. Vinaka Vakalevu!

🌺Māori & Pacific Networking Workshop🌺Come along tomorrow for a supportive and empowering workshop led by Whaea Nima Riin...
04/05/2026

🌺Māori & Pacific Networking Workshop🌺

Come along tomorrow for a supportive and empowering workshop led by Whaea Nima Riini.

If the networking event feels overwhelming, this session will help you feel ready and confident.

You’ll gain:

🥥Helpful strategies for approaching conversations
🥥Tips to boost your confidence
🥥A chance to connect with other Māori and Pacific tauira
🥥Easy registration via the scan code on the poster

Join us on our Hamilton Campus in M Block, Level 1, Room M.1.42 (Library Building).

This session is open for all Māori and Pacific students. We’d love to see you there! Fakafetai!

Welcome back from the Trimester A Break!Announcement for our Pacific tauira based in Hamilton.The Scholarships Team are ...
20/04/2026

Welcome back from the Trimester A Break!

Announcement for our Pacific tauira based in Hamilton.

The Scholarships Team are holding drop‑in sessions every Wednesday at the Library!

Got pātai about scholarships?

Go and have a talanoa with the Scholarships Team in the Library (Level 2) every Wednesday during the trimester period from 12PM–1PM.

This is a great chance to ask about Pacific scholarships, and to make the most of your time, it’s recommended that you visit the Scholarships Finder page beforehand.

It’s straightforward to find, navigate through the UoW website or simply Google “Scholarships Finder Waikato.”

Have a quick scan through the list of scholarships on offer at the University of Waikato, filter your options by degree, study area, level of study and more. Head into the drop-in session with an idea of what you’re looking for, and the team can help refine your options and guide you along the way.

There’s no booking needed, just drop in, have a chat, and get the support you need. The Scholarships team are a brilliant bunch and are ready to support you!

🌺 Final-year Pacific students 🌺Step away from the grind and invest in your future. Join Louisa Westerlund, a proud Samo...
19/04/2026

🌺 Final-year Pacific students 🌺

Step away from the grind and invest in your future. Join Louisa Westerlund, a proud Samoan Law Honors student as she shares her journey of resilience, leadership, and service in Pacific & Indigenous law.

Louisa Westerlund is a Samoan student completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours at the University of Waikato, focusing on Pacific and Indigenous legal issues. She was born in Samoa, raised in a farming family, and moved to Aotearoa at sixteen, adapting to a new education system. Louisa attended Massey University in 2005 but withdrew to support her siblings. Years later, her father’s serious health issues and seeing Pacific families in debt for medical care became the catalyst for returning to university to study law.

Louisa is involved in student and community leadership. At university, she serves as a Pacific mentor and Head Tutor, providing academic support and pastoral care to students enrolled in LLB. In the community, she is a qualified Financial Mentor, the only Pacific person on the Board of Trustees for Empowerment NZ Charitable Trust in Te Puke, and a volunteer with organisations supporting vulnerable families.

She is currently undertaking Honours research on the relationship between customary law and state law in the Pacific. Her long-term goal is to complete a Master of Laws (LLM) in Pacific and Indigenous Peoples’ Law, contribute to law and policy reform, and show her daughters that, regardless of age or circumstance, they can pursue tertiary study and succeed.

✨ Lead with purpose. Give back. Shape what’s next.

📍 Online & in-person attendance | 🔗 Register now https://assets-oce.mkt.dynamics.com/91b91b96-62ff-4da2-9ec8-96810d9451f8/digitalassets/standaloneforms/432e0451-b7fa-4f34-bdbe-bd16d6a34eab?readableEventId=CTI_Pacific_Student_Leadership_Talanoa1599613584

Have any questions? Get in touch with Aunty Hennah at [email protected].

01/04/2026

Talofa lava Pacific Students! Today from 12:30pm is our weekly drop-ins. If you have any queries study related or help navigating University life, come see Sylvia at the Conch 😊

🌺 IMUA PACIFIC FIRST‑YEAR STUDENTS — REMINDER FOR TOMORROW! 🌺Kam na bane ni mauri Imua ‘āiga,We’re excited to see you at...
31/03/2026

🌺 IMUA PACIFIC FIRST‑YEAR STUDENTS — REMINDER FOR TOMORROW! 🌺

Kam na bane ni mauri Imua ‘āiga,

We’re excited to see you at our Imua Guest Speaker Seminar & Lunch happening TOMORROW at The Pā!

We’re honoured to host Associate Professor Haki Tuaupiki, who will be sharing his expertise in Māori voyaging knowledge and traditional navigation. His kōrero connects directly to our Waka Hauora trip to Tauranga later this year, which is reserved for those actively participating in our Imua sessions, so this is an important one to be at.

Date: Wednesday 1 April 2026
Time: 1PM – 2PM
Location: The Pā, Room Pa.G.30
Kai will be provided

The poster attached has the QR code for you to scan and register, so make sure to check your email and sign up when you can.

Come through, stay connected, and continue the pathway we’re building together as Pacific tauira at Waikato.

We're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Ti a bo!

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Gate 1 Knighton Road, Private Bag 3105
Hamilton
3240

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