The University of Waikato has been proudly operating in the Bay of Plenty for more than 30 years through education, research, and industry partnerships. Our presence was cemented in 2019 with the opening of our central city campus in Durham Street.
The Tauranga campus has since become a regional hub for learning, collaboration and innovation, with enrolments increasing year on year. We are creating an environment that is a magnet for the growth, attraction and retention of highly-skilled people, and we are fostering opportunities to take smart thinking and innovation to new levels that have global impact.
Our vision for the main campus in the central business district is for a multi-building world-class learning institute. New student accommodation and facilities ensure students are supported to succeed, and we will be introducing new buildings and ways of learning over time.
Central to the close knit and inclusive community culture on campus is our Tauranga staff, which includes some of the brightest minds in the country with specialties in everything from climate change and the physical sciences to math, psychology, law and education. Our programmes are increasing with classes continually adapting to provide world class, relevant learning in all areas.
At the heart of everything we do lies partnership and collaboration. By working together with our communities, industry, government, iwi and across our internal disciplines, we are creating new opportunities and developing new ways of working that are building a solid foundation for the future.
The Adams Centre for High Performance Sport has fast become the place where current and future athletes, Olympians and achievers learn, develop and get better by the day. Ground-breaking research and our custom built facilities are creating champions locally and the world over.
Our Sulphur Point coastal marine field research station already attracts multiple disciplines focused on the coastal and marine environment and is home to world-changing research, marine science, engineering, data mapping and analysis. We are set to expand and develop our marine research capabilities, creating solutions for the region and the planet.
Our Blue/Green Tech Lab is a flagship collaboration between our marine specialties and other science disciplines including robotics, engineering, information technology, horticultural, science and development, creating a centre for excellence in R&D, industry engagement and community collaboration in the Bay.
This continues a long history of collaboration and partnership within the region, across industry, local government and mana whenua. Our people have been working to research, refine and improve industry, education, the environment and the planet.
We are at the leading edge of robotics with latest developments including an autonomous orchard survey robot, asparagus harvester and grapevine pruner.
We have been working closely with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and community groups to improve the quality of our freshwater lakes.
Our marine researchers are uncovering the hidden secrets and benefits of algal biotechnologies while ensuring the health of our harbour and ecosystems.
Our partnership with PlantTech, an industry-led research organisation based in Western Bay of Plenty, is focused on technology and innovation.
We are improving educational outcomes for Maori, regionally and nationally.
We have recently been named top in NZ for research citations per faculty member in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
We are ambitious in our plans for this region. We will grow our domestic and international students, keeping our young people in the region and welcoming more to the wonderful lifestyle and opportunities the Bay provides. We will continue to develop hubs of innovation, contribute to a better educated workforce and improvements to our business, industry and community.
We will take the Bay of Plenty to the world – and bring the world to the Bay.
