Quigs
Ngā tauira o Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, kei te huihuinga o ngā manu kai ana i te hua o te mātauranga, nau mai haere mai rā koutou katoa.
We are pleased to welcome all of the students who will be studying at the University of Waikato in 2022.
Whether you have been a high school student, a student at the University, or in the workforce over the past two years, you will have had first-hand experience of the unprecedented levels of disruption that the Covid pandemic has introduced into our lives. The University of Waikato has managed through all of this disruption with a focus on supporting student learning and student life at the highest level possible under pandemic conditions. A lot of hard work by our staff has ensured that the quality of teaching and learning at the University has been maintained, and the grades of our students over the past two years reflect continuing high levels of achievement and student success. Our study advisers, student learning advisers, academic staff and tutors are all here to help you succeed. If you need help, please reach out to someone who can assist you.
We do not know what surprises this year will throw at us, but the University is as well prepared as it can be. We are a vaccine mandate organisation, so we can continue to offer (socially distanced) face-to-face teaching under the red setting of the Covid Protection Framework. We have many papers that are offered online and/or in Flexi mode, but we will do our best to continue to offer students a positive and enriching on-campus experience throughout the year. We have a dedicated communications team who will ensure that any updates about the pandemic, or any issues affecting teaching and learning are communicated to you promptly. Please read our emails and follow the advice of our staff.
We want you to enjoy your year at the University, and to take advantage of everything that we have to offer: clubs, sports, and social life. But, please think about safety in everything that you do: self-isolate and seek medical advice if you feel unwell, follow the advice of staff at functions and venues, and ensure that your friends know where you are. And, of course, make sure that your enjoyment of your student social experience is balanced with the focus on your study that will be the basis for success on the papers that you take this year.
Neil Quigley
Vice-Chancellor
Ella Quigley
Media Personality
Shomo
Tēnā koutou katoa
Nau mai, haere mai!
If you’re a returning student, I want to acknowledge your resilience and dedication to your learning and success despite the many challenges that the ever-changing pandemic presents. If you’re just starting your university journey, I think you have chosen a great institution, ka pai. I say this because my four years at Waikato have been incredible. I’m not talking about the unending law readings or constantly being left on seen in group project chats. For me, it’s been the sense of community that I’ve always felt here. So if you’re new here, my advice is to become part of the vibrant spaces.
Community plays a vital role in my life, as I grew up raised by Zambian values that emphasise having a strong and thriving community. Therefore I am passionate about all students feeling like they are a part of a supportive community where they are supported, celebrated and valued. Here at the WSU, my team and I will collaborate to facilitate an environment where you feel part of a supportive community. So whether you’re stuck in the mud, you’ve screwed up your budget, been mucked around by a lecturer, or barely surviving your flatmates- your outstanding VP’s Māhia and Stella, your phenomenal board of directors, our brilliant WSU staff and I are here to help.
I’ve been on the WSU board for the past three years. So yes, this means I’m really good at flipping sausages on the WSU BBQ, but more importantly, I’m good at speaking up for you when it matters. This year, my focus as your President is to continue ensuring you are at the centre of every University decision. I recognise that the most effective way of accurately representing our student body is by being engaged with a wide range of students. So if you see me around, feel free to say kia ora! You really can’t miss me – I’m the 5ft 1 Black girl rocking Fulani braids and usually walking way too fast for my feet to keep up with.
On a final note, during my time at University, there has been no lecture or tutorial so important that I was willing to risk my health or the health of my mates. So if you’re feeling sick or unwell, stay home!
Mukale bwino, mukale ndimutendere, nikuti tamilandililani ndi chikondi
stay safe, stay well and welcome back.
