The University of Waikato
Founded by the community, for the community in 1964, the University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) carries a rich legacy full of remarkable achievements that have shaped us into the institution we are today.
Our world-class education and research is delivered across vibrant campuses in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Hangzhou, China, and through global partnerships in research and teaching.
We are proud to be a research-intensive university that provides a globally connected, innovative and inclusive student experience that is underpinned by a commitment to diversity, respect for Indigenous knowledge, and community engagement.
Led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley, the University is focused on responding to the needs of our communities and contributing to the educational, social, cultural, and environmental development of our regions and New Zealand.
Our Hamilton campus is uniquely situated on land returned to Waikato-Tainui following the tribe’s 1995 Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Government, and the Tauranga campus, which opened in 2019, is situated on Ngāi Tamarāwaho land. We work in partnership with Waikato-Tainui, Tauranga Moana iwi, and all other iwi as part of our commitment to upholding the Treaty of Waitangi.
We deliver future-focused, globally relevant education where transformative research drives our teaching. Our programmes are helping to address national and international skill shortages, and our research is tackling critical issues from climate change to housing affordability, water quality, cybersecurity and safety, Indigenous wellbeing and physical and mental health.
In 2028 we will welcome our first cohort of students to the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, the country’s third medical school and the first graduate-entry medical programme. Together with our programmes in nursing, midwifery and pharmacy, we are driving innovation in health education while remaining closely aligned with the needs of our communities.
We are committed to providing comprehensive and targeted support for all learners, creating foundations where students have the best opportunities to succeed in tertiary education and in their future careers. Students at Waikato enjoy quality learning experiences and smaller class sizes, flexible degree structures and supportive research supervision from internationally acclaimed academics. Waikato is leading the way in work-integrated learning, with our industry connections and local partnerships ensuring students are gaining real-world experience in their fields, bridging academic excellence with real-world application.
Student surveys show strong overall satisfaction in the quality of teaching and learning we provide and in the overall wellbeing of our students, with several areas performing above global benchmarks including the online learning experience and in employability metrics.
Our global rankings reflect our commitment to using the power of our research and people to make a significant, positive contribution on both a local and global scale. The University of Waikato is ranked among the world’s top 300 universities (QS World University Rankings 2026) and is New Zealand’s #1 university for research impact, measured by citations per faculty member.
Waikato also excels in sustainability, ranking 112th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, including 44th for Environmental Impact and 14th worldwide (1st in Oceania) for Environmental Sustainability. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, Waikato is placed in the 100-200 band globally.