Student Profiles
Graduates of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences go on to shape the future of world and local society by catalyzing social, economic, and cultural development in varied and innovative ways. Check out what ALPSS students are doing now, and what they've got their sights set on doing next.
Majenta Gaffar
Theatre Studies
"I chose the University of Waikato purely because it’s one of the top-performing art schools in the country."
Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono
Music
"I chose Waikato University because the music department is small and intimate, which meant I could receive personalised teaching."
Season-Mary Downs
Law
"I always knew I wanted to make a difference to the community so studying towards a law degree was the best way I could see to help. It’s a privilege to be able to use my law degree and the knowledge I’ve gained to help the community."
Willow-Jean Prime
Development Studies, Law, Māori and Indigenous Studies
"I'm inspired by the dedicated and committed people who've gone before me. We have to ensure that future generations of Māori are provided for spiritually, culturally, environmentally and economically. I'm not afraid of a challenge."
Leilani Tuala-Warren
Law
"Ask yourself, ‘what can I do to help our people?’ That’s where the passion will come from, and from there you will do well."
Chris Roberts
History, Political Science
Chris Roberts is the Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive and he found career success by sticking to one golden rule – love doing what you do.
Holly Snape
Sociology
The strong subject offerings within the School of Social Sciences is what attracted Holly to study at Waikato. With a keen interest in sociology and anthropology, she completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences and then went on to do her Masters.
Zuwati Hasim
Applied Linguistics
Zuwati is an expert in the field of language assessment – a crucial issue for teachers, especially in her home country Malaysia.
Sam Hurley
Political Science
"Without my degree, I wouldn't have the job I do today. The career opportunities are a direct result of my studies."
Joe Henehan
Environmental Planning, Public Policy
"The BEP is accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute which means that it’s up there with the best planning degrees in the country."
Julia Booth
Music
"While I was studying, high performance manager Greg O’Carroll was an excellent mentor who took a meaningful and holistic approach to my development."
Megan Smith
Public Policy
"Waikato has offered me endless opportunities. I have had the opportunity to write journal articles which has been interesting and rewarding."
Hannah Cleland
Psychology
Hannah Cleland’s role at the Department of Corrections has a high level of responsibility attached to it as she is involved in assessing the reoffending risk for offenders in the community as well as those eligible to be released on parole.
Joanna Clarke
International Relations and Security Studies
"Waikato will give to you what you put into it. Everything is there – great lecturers, good facilities, and such a wealth of knowledge – just make the most of it!"
Lana Gooderham
Environmental Planning
"The best part of my job is seeing how everything I learnt from my Environmental Planning degree comes together in real life."
Leny Thomas
Psychology
"As part of my job I provide specialist psychological services to children and young people, their families/whanau, educational providers and other agencies."
Courtney Dick
Economics, Law
"By going in-house, I have been able to utilise both my degrees. It’s nice to be part of the business process and strategic management, and I work with multiple teams including finance, creative, procurement and strategic."
Khey-Jhyn Martin
Social Work
"It was hard mahi. It’s a long degree and it needs to be. It naturally selects the people who will make good social workers. This programme prepares students really well for placement."
Ruby Bishara
Social Work
"Going to university taught me so much but, most importantly, it taught me to aspire, to dream. As social workers, we can aspire to be anything. Now I aspire higher in everything I do."
Tangi Walker
Social Work
"Having respect for others, being a genuine person, and having the right attitude where you want to see and influence a positive change in people’s lives are essential qualities for social workers."
Carey-Ann Morrison
Geography
"When I came to university, the geography papers I enrolled in exposed me to new ways of thinking and gave me new tools. It was absolutely my university studies that laid the foundations for me to navigate my journey."
Benny Jones
Law
"I gained experience in the court process and the experience triggered something in me and I set my sights on a new career in law."
Aidan Warren
Law
"The University’s motto ‘Ko Te Tangata – For the People’ is what I took away. We learned law in context; it was people focused and reflective of our community and that has been a big part of my practice."
Sam Fellows
"I believe the experiences and opportunities I had at university have directly contributed to where I am now. I always felt supported and like someone believed in me, and now I do my best to inspire that in others."
Kristoffer Lavasi'i
English, Law, Psychology
"It can be easy to look around at others who seem to be moving faster, flying higher. But sometimes the slowest things go farthest, and the humblest beginnings sometimes lead to the most incredible things."
Olivia Kerbers
Public Relations
""The Bachelor of Communication degree gives you a well-rounded balance of theory and how that’s applied in practice. You get so many opportunities to test your knowledge and put your creativity to the test through real-life scenarios, instead of just sitting there reading about it. You’re well supported by your lecturers and tutors, who help you to continually develop your skills.”"
Vinod Bal
Law, Political Science, Sociology
His five years at Waikato University has left him in no doubt, “this is the place to be if you want to make change in the world”.
Grace Walker
Law
"In high school, you’re told that at uni you won’t get much help but at Waikato, I found that it was quite the opposite. Te Piringa – Faculty of Law promotes the concept of ‘colleagues not competitors’."
Akeem Iyanda
Law
"I am now a lawyer, thanks to my law study at the University of Waikato. The degree and skills I got from Waikato made me employable."
Aidan Sarikaya
Law
"There are opportunities to meet people from all different walks of life, studying different things and competing or performing at the highest level."
Zachary Katene
Law
Zach was surprised at how he had a flair for the practical areas of law like advocacy and negotiation. His talent saw him win competitions and secure top honours.
Shelley Greer
Law
"I cherish the ability to learn in my career, every day I learn something new which keeps things interesting."
Te Maiora Rūrehe
Law, Māori Language/Te Reo Māori
"Lawyers are catalysts for change as they can directly influence justice and how it’s administered."
Tayla Afoa
Law, Philosophy, Political Science
"When I came down to Open Day, the campus caught my eye instantly – the lakes are beautiful, everything is close together and the University is away from the bustling city."
Catherine Graham
Māori and Indigenous Studies, Music, Te Tohu Paetahi
"I have appreciated learning alongside a group of wonderful people, through really inclusive and effective pedagogies every day. My life and thinking has been challenged and transformed in many ways."
Wenyue Ruan
"Studying at the Pathways College was a great way for me to develop my academic writing, listening and study skills. The teachers are incredibly supportive and the classes are small, which gave me the best possible start to my university career."
Mereana Vaka
Te Tohu Paetahi
"Te Tohu Paetahi has been liberating for me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has been an awakening to my identity as a Māori and has solidified the foundations of my lived experiences."
Cian Gardner
Award-winning theatre company founder and Waikato alumna Cian Gardner is making a name for herself in the arts world with her recent play Sorry For Your Loss.
Shamus Baker
Music, Philosophy
"My study of musicianship, harmony and counterpoint and aesthetics also made me aware of what it means to think musically, and how fundamental this is to musical practice."
Sky (Ziqi) Ma
Social Work
"Going on placement was a highlight where I was able to utilise all the skills and knowledge that I learnt at the University."
Floris Van Gaalen
Screen and Media Studies
"I was thankful to discover that my professors sought out critical and unique thinking which meant I was able to learn to challenge myself."
Ryan Burnell
Psychology
"I draw on my knowledge of experimental design and human memory almost every day, as well as my statistical knowledge and my writing, speaking, and project management skills."
Salma Nicholson
Media Design
"I learnt so much, so many new things. I didn’t study graphic design in high school, so came into the course pretty much a blank slate, and now, three years later I’ve made a short film, designed entire brand guides and made little animations, and on and on it goes."
Marcus Fletcher
Environmental Planning
"Learning about Aotearoa’s resource management law, how to plan cities and combating the pressures of climate change makes this degree extremely satisfying and beneficial."
Charlotte Miller
Law
"I didn’t know Security and Crime Science or Forensic and Criminological Psychology were even options before I was looking at electives for my degree. I was instantly drawn to them and wanted to give them a go."
Sau Lefeau
Māori and Pacific Development, Sociology
"It’s been a real blessing to use my study out in the real world."
Aurand Tou
Psychology
"I chose Waikato because the Psychology degree is more culturally grounded than those offered at other New Zealand universities."
Bradley Sam
Economics, Law
"“My exchange was one of the best parts of my university life. It’s been a positive discussion point in job interviews and has definitely helped me get to where I am today.”"
Aimee-Jane Anderson-O'Connor
English, Writing Studies
"I can still remember the first time my work was published – it was surreal."
Shoshana Sachi
English, Screen and Media Studies
"I enjoy every process of bringing our vibrant characters to life – from page to screen."
Courtney Richmond
English, Theatre Studies
"I’ve been able to study the things that truly interest me, and to connect with people who align with my interests and values."
Mahara Hepi
Anthropology
Mahara Hepi (Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngai Tahu, Te Ati Hau Nui A Pāpārangi, Tuwharetoa) studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology and Psychology.
Te Riria Potiki
"I was always interested in science, but once I found geography later in high school I knew I had found something I was passionate about. It aligns so well with my future goal of working to preserve environmental sustainability."
Khaysharn Kingi-Takoko
Māori and Indigenous Studies
"I use Kapa Haka as a vehicle to drive me through life. I would be lost without it, and wouldn’t know how to hold myself."
Katie Trigg
Music
"I like that everything is on one, beautiful campus and there is direct communication between the lecturers and the students."
Rereahu Collier
Māori and Indigenous Studies, Psychology
"My job gives me a chance to showcase what I learned at university and apply it to everything I do."
Tekatau Bio
Law
Tekatau is a barrister and solicitor specialising in family and immigration law. She is also the first woman of Kiribati heritage to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand.
Wayne Hoffer
"Waikato set me up for the practicality of law, there was a great focus on how to fix a problem. That has helped me stand out in my career."
Liam Wooding
Music
Waikato alumnus Liam Wooding is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s emerging pianists and is a doctoral student at the University of Waikato.
Rachel Devine
Law
"My degree instilled an early openness to innovation and keenness for creativity which I believe has shaped my desire to deliver pragmatic, real-world solutions to legal issues, and to invest in the creation of an AI contract management software business."
Ben Gerritsen
"I think it’s a good idea to broaden your perspectives, do a range of subjects, and Waikato gave me the flexibility to do that."
Sam Marelich
Design Media, Marketing
As the Managing Partner for San Francisco-based recruitment firm, The Collective Search, Sam
Marelich spends his days creating opportunities and opening doors for his clients in the tech world.
Although, if it wasn’t for a few very useful coffee meetings, he may not be where he is today.
Edmund Wee
""Coming up with creative ideas is not so difficult. The most difficult part is persuading the client. But you want to do something creative and challenging, otherwise life would be so boring!""