About us

The University of Waikato opened in 1964 after many years of energetic lobbying by a group of Hamilton locals, determined to have a university in their city. To begin with, facilities were sparse, but in early 1965 new buildings were officially opened by then Governor-General Sir Bernard Fergusson. Sir Don Llewellyn was the founding Vice-Chancellor.

By the 1980s, Waikato was the fastest-growing university in New Zealand. Computer Science became an increasingly popular study choice and the thriving Department was elevated to a School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences in 1987.

The University always had a close relationship with its neighbouring teachers’ college and, leading the way for others to follow, became the first university in New Zealand to combine with its regional teachers’ college. Through its teaching programmes, the University began to establish a presence in Tauranga.

The University of Waikato has a longstanding relationship with the K?ngitanga and Waikato-Tainui, who are the traditional owners and custodians in the Waikato region. The University’s Hamilton campus is based on land originally inhabited by Ng?ti Wairere and Ng?ti Hau? of Tainui. Much of this land was confiscated in 1864 by the colonial government following the Waikato Land Wars, an act later found to be in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.

To redress this, the Crown signed a settlement with Waikato-Tainui in 1995, part of which vested the land on which the Hamilton campus stands in the title of the first M?ori King, P?tatau Te Wherowhero, to ensure it could not be alienated. It is now leased to the University by Waikato-Tainui.

In 1991 Te R?p? Manukura was formed as a consultative body to the University Council. It now sits in partnership with the University Council as the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the Treaty of Waitangi for the University. Te R?p? Manukura is currently made up of members from over 20 different iwi within the catchment area of the University.

In 2009, K?ngitanga Day was established as a way to honour and strengthen the connection between the University, K?ngitanga, Waikato-Tainui, and many other iwi across the country. K?ngitanga Day is a community-focused event and is celebrated annually in September.

The University of Waikato campus in Hamilton covers 65 hectares, built on what was previously farmland. Originally designed by architect John Blake-Kelly, the campus has developed over time to include an impressive array of facilities set amidst tranquil gardens, lakes and sports grounds.

These facilities include the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts – the concert chamber’s near-perfect acoustics regularly attract international artists for performance and recording.

The Student Centre - Te Manawa, which houses the library and provides a central study space for students, was opened in 2011.

The P?, which will include a marae and spaces for students to work and relax.

Tauranga Campus opened in 2019. Previously, the University shared facilities with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty. The $60 million campus development was possible through the support and drive of the region, especially key funders Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust who all saw the need to enhance the range of qualifications and study options available to students in the Bay of Plenty.

The University of Waikato was the first New Zealand university to receive Chinese Ministry of Education approval to fully deliver degrees in China. The first cohort of students started at the University’s Joint Institute with Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC) in Hangzhou in late 2017, and enrolments continue to increase across the three Waikato degree programmes being offered at ZUCC.