Student Support

Waikato University provides an Accommodation Advisory Service to assist you in matters relating to your accommodation during University Study. We have provided an overview of what you may need to consider when you are thinking about accommodation for the first time. If you seek further advice, call Waikato's Accommodation Advisory Service on +64 7 838 4231, or go to the Accommodation Services Webpage.

There is a chaplaincy service available at Waikato. The Lady Goodfellow Chapel is set aside for student and staff quiet times of meditation between 8.00-9.00am and 5.00-6.00pm each day Monday to Friday. This service is available to students of all religious backgrounds in the spirit of mutual respect and deepening understanding.

Campus Crèche is across the road from the main campus on Hillcrest Road. The crèche has facilities for 100 children from nursery to preschool ages. For more information, visit the Campus Crèche Website or phone 07 838 4034. There is also a kohanga reo (a preschool where children are taught in the Māori language), Te Kohanga Reo o Ngā Kuaka, near the University at 159 Silverdale Road. Places fill very quickly so enquire early. Phone 07 856 2982.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is a fully voluntary organisation which has a proud history of guiding people to a satisfactory conclusion over their troubles. The University of Waikato is the first University in New Zealand to have a CAB chapter based on campus.

The CAB offers free and confidential advice to assist all students on almost any issue, including consumer rights, insurance, car repairs, tenancy, legal advice and much more. If we cannot provide the assistance you are looking for we will discuss your options with you and provide you with contact details for the organisation or service that will help you further.

For free and confidential advice for all students visit the Citizens Advice Bureau in the Cowshed Building between 11am and 2pm Monday to Friday during semester.

PHONE 07 838 4466 ext 6622

The University of Waikato provides a counselling service for students who are experiencing difficulties during their studies. We have two trained counsellors, including a full-time Māori Counsellor, to help you whenever something is interfering with your ability to study.You can make an appointment by phoning +64 7 838 4037 or coming in to reception. For full information about our counselling service, visit the Student Counselling Service Webpage.

The University of Waikato is firmly committed to providing equity in education and welcomes students with disabilities into all areas of campus life.

The word "disability" is a very broad umbrella term which aims to include people experiencing temporary and permanent conditions, including physical mobility, medical and accident-related conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and learning disabilities.

A "reasonable accommodation" refers to a support provision or strategy which, when put in place, aims to minimise any disadvantage due to the impact of a disability. It is not the intention to advantage any one person over another, but rather to ensure students and staff with disabilities are placed on a more equitable level with others.

To contact the Disability Service, phone 838 4719.

The Student Financial Adviser is located in the Accommodation and Conference Services Office and is available to assist you if you need help in managing your budget or are in financial difficulties.

You may need help to access your financial options, plan a budget and explore possibilities for financial assistance. However, if you find yourself in an emergency situation financially, the Student Financial Adviser can advise you if special assistance may be available.

Appointments to see the Student Financial Adviser can be made by the Accommodation and Conference Services Receptionist on 07 838 4084, the Student Services Receptionist on 07 838 4201, at the Gateway Information Centre, or by calling the Student Financial Adviser direct on 07 838 4910.

 

The University of Waikato is dedicated to the success of its international students. There are a range of people employed especially to help you in all aspects of your life and study with us.

From the moment you arrive we can arrange for you to be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. An orientation programme for international students is run before classes start and is designed to inform and assist you with useful information on New Zealand laws, health & safety, housing, how to find the things you need, services we provide and much more.

At Waikato University we have a number of staff dedicated specifically to meeting the needs of our international students including International Student Advisers and Administrators, Learning Development staff, accommodation coordinators, doctors, counsellors, and peer support groups. For further information, visit our Student and Academic Services Division.

There are a number of Justices of the Peace on campus able to verify documents for enrolment or other purposes.
Maria Reynolds is located in the Student Services Building, (07) 838 4158.
The full list of Justices of the Peace and their contact information can be found using the University Phonebook.

The Citizens Advice Bureau will be offering lawyers on campus each Friday until the end of the semester. Lawyers will be available at the Citizens Advice Bureau on campus from 1-3 to talk to students about any legal issues. Students can go see lawyers about any legal issue they have - including tenancy law, employment law, contract law, consumer protection law, family law or criminal law.

If you have a legal question that you want some advice on, get in contact with the WSU today. Appointments for lawyers are managed through the WSU advocacy service, so email advocacy@wsu.org.nz today to sort out an appointment, or just call the WSU office on 07 856 9139. Students are entitled to a free 15 minute consultation: it's advice only though - lawyers will not be able to act for you or take on a case.

If you are over 25 years of age, you are regarded as a “mature student”. To meet other mature students and share your experiences, contact the Waikato Students Union in the Student Union Building.

The Student Health Service is located in the Student Services Building, off Gate One Carpark. To make an appointment, call 07 838 4037, or come into the reception.

New Zealand Students are encouraged to enrol with the Student Health Service GP practice. Enrolled patients are seen for free as far as routine consultations are concerned and have repeat prescriptions done without charge. Non-enrolled patients have to pay a consultation fee to see the doctor depending on whether they have a Community Services Card or not and a consultation fee to see the nurse. They also have to pay a small charge for repeat prescriptions.

Extra charges apply to all students for specific medical examinations (insurance, pre-employment, driving etc) and for travel vaccines and minor surgery. International Students use their compulsory health insurance to pay for medical care at the Student health Service.

A Student Services Levy is paid by all students, which helps to fund the Student Health Service and other student services on campus. The Student Health Service provides a full range of general practice medical services. Please refer to the Student Health Services website for full information about the services provided.

Student Learning is available to assist students with a wide range of study-related problems. The main focus of Student Learning is to help students acquire the skills to become independent, self-directed learners. All enrolled students of the University are welcome in Student Learning.

Our experienced and friendly tutors can help students understand and learn;

• Time management in academic programmes
• Taking notes in lectures
• Reading academic articles or books
• Understanding assignment instructions and requirements
• Locating appropriate research material for assignments or tests
• Planning and structuring assignments
• Study techniques to prepare for tests and exams
• Many other types of academic learning skills

There are different types of appointments that students can arrange with Student Learning tutors. These include;

• Individual (private) consultations with a learning tutor
• Drop-in sessions (private) with a learning tutor
• Learning skills workshops

In addition, through our website we provide a range of on-line learning support materials, including self-access tutorials, learning skills handouts, and practice materials.

The University of Waikato is open to students from all backgrounds.

The University has a strong anti-harassment policy, and nominated persons throughout the campus, including our Counselling Service, to whom you can go if you have a complaint or need advice.

The Waikato Students' Union has a nominated Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender representative to advocate on students' behalf.

There is an active Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender social and support group on campus called Askew, which meets weekly and is open to all students.

Web:	www.hamiltonpride.co.nz/askew.html
Email:	askew.waikato@gmail.com
On Campus	Queerspace

For further information contact the WSU or the Student Counseling Service on (07) 838 4201.

Te Puna Tautoko is a network of specialist support staff from across the University. The objective of this service is to ‘tautoko’, to ensure that Māori students get the most out of their time here at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. If you need assistance or advice relating to your studies or well being as a Māori student, kaua e whakamā - make contact.

If you have any panui or events that you want promoted, please visit the Māori events calendar, from there you can submit an event that will be considered for placement on the calendar.

Kia kaha! Kia maia!

The University of Waikato is commited to removing any physical access barriers to ensure our campus is as accessible as possible for students, staff and visitors with disabilities. As such, many campus facilities are designed to enable universal access.

There are a number of mobility parks available on campus that can be accessed via most entrances to the University - so no matter where you have to get to, there will be a universal access carpark nearby.

Most buildings are universally accessible and are traversed by either level entrance, ramp or lift. You can find out whether the classes you are planning to enrol in are accessible by lift by visiting the Disability Support Services' list of buildings that provide lift access. You can also find out the locations of universal access toilets on campus.

The Disability Computer labs are located in the Student Services Building and the Central Library. Both labs have specialist software and equipment for use by students with disability. Access and training to use any of this equipment can be arranged with the staff.