Breadcrumbs

Māori Student Services

Nau Mai Haere Mai!

Welcome to the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences. The Division offers orientation activities, academic tutoring, mentoring, programme and course advice, study wānanga and other helpful initiatives for Māori students through Te Aka Matua and Te Whakahiapo. We also hold whakawhanaungatanga activities, or social get-togethers, throughout the year to bring Māori students together, usually with a mean kai on the side.

While you are here the Māori Student Liaison Coordinator are your first point of contact regarding any queries or issues arising from your study within the Division. Students come in to get course advice, help with degree planning, scholarship application sign offs and academic advice. If there is anything you need while you study here, the Māori Student Liaison Coordinators can help you out.

Te Whakahiapo Waikato Māori Law Students' Association

Te Whakahiapo fosters a whānau atmosphere to appropriately manage Māori issues within the School of Law environment. A Māori academic support room provides a focus for Te Whakahiapo activities.

We encourage active participation by all Māori law students at our weekly hui to discuss issues arising both within the School of Law and wider Māori community, panui of events, scholarships, hui and Te Hunga Roia Māori events.

Te Aka Matua/Māori Mentors

Te Aka Matua is a team of Mentors/Kaiāwhina from various departments within the Division. The aim of Te Aka Matua is to provide comprehensive and coordinated support to Māori students in the Division, including graduate and post-graduate students. Our office is in JK.2.02 - Te Rūma - which is open daily. If you have any questions, drop in and talk to one of the team, no appointment needed. Alternately, you can email us [email protected].

Other Events

Te Aka Matua holds various social events to facilitate whakawhanaungatanga among Māori students. During the year keep an eye out for

  • Coffee Club
  • Hakinakina
  • Celebrating Success luncheon
  • Matariki celebrations
  • Kingitanga Day
  • And much more

Networking Evenings

Te Aka Matua hosts graduate networking events throughout the year. These include a Graduate Dinner, Brunch and writing workshops. We hope to create a network of links between the different subjects that you can tap into throughout your graduate  study, and create a sense of whanaungatanga to alleviate some of the isolation some of you may be experiencing.

Online support

Te Aka Matua have Moodle and Facebook as online forums for students to communicate with the mentors or with each other. Check in often to keep up-to-date with events and study wānanga.

Study wānanga / workshops

In collaboration with Student Learning we will host various workshops especially APA referencing, time management, exam preparation and essay writing. Get in touch to request further workshops. The Mentors also run study workshops for specific subjects as required.

Māori Graduate and Postgraduate Students

You form a significant group at the University and contribute a feeling of diversity and life experience to the campus community. You are also an important part of the research culture of the University.

Here at the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences,  we have Māori students embarking on higher qualifications in all sorts of disciplines. While the subjects within the Division may be diverse, we strive to create a sense of whakawhanaungatanga between our graduate and postgraduate students.

At graduate level, you begin to enjoy an intellectual independence, but you can also feel a sense of isolation from your fellow students. We are here to help to combat that sense of isolation, as well as assist you on your academic journey.

Below is a list of resources and support services that are available specifically to you as a Māori graduate or postgraduate student at the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences.  We really encourage you to engage with the support on offer - we want to make your time here at University a positive and enjoyable experience, and to help you get the absolute most out of it.

  • Kura Kete Aronui Contestable Conference Fund

    The Division offers a contestable fund that graduate and postgraduate students, along with high-achieving level-300 students, can use to attend national conferences pertinent to their studies. The Mentor Coordinator can advise on how to apply for the contributory grant, or email us on [email protected] for an application form.

  • Te Toi o Matariki Conference

    Te Toi o Matariki provides Waikato University Māori graduate students with a supportive and encouraging academic environment from which to present their current research. The objective of the conference each year is to highlight the diverse and exciting research being embarked upon by our Māori graduates, while also providing networking and whanaungatanga opportunities. A panel of Māori academic staff review the presentations and outstanding student presenters are awarded commendations. The Division has a coordinated presence at the conference, so please contact us if you are interested in either presenting at or attending the conference. For the presenters, we can organise seminars and/or practice sessions so that you can feel comfortable and confident when you showcase your mahi at the conference.