The Taskforce

The work of the Taskforce is now complete and the University has begun a long-term programme of work, Te Aurei, to implement the recommendations of the Taskforce's report across all aspects of the University.

The final report of the Taskforce was unanimously accepted by the University Council at its meeting on 30 March 2021.

Below is a recap of the work of the Taskforce.

Watch Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon present to staff, students and community at the University of Waikato Hamilton campus on Wednesday 19 November, on 'Recognising and Responding to Casual and Systemic Racism'.

Purpose of the Taskforce

• The overall purpose and approach of the Taskforce can be found here.
• The work of this Taskforce is not something that has been tried before nationally or internationally, and it signals the beginning of a voyage towards long-term, intergenerational and sustainable change.

Membership

• To that end, members of the Taskforce have been appointed based on their relevant skills, knowledge and experience, and for the range of perspectives they bring to the challenge, rather than on a ‘representational’ basis.
• The members are:
  • Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, co-chair
  • Professor Alister Jones, co-chair
  • Rahui Papa, appointed by King Tūheitia
  • Dr Bridgette Masters-Awatere, School of Psychology
  • Kyla Campbell-Kamariera, Waikato Students’ Union
  • Matt Bolger, Waikato Management School
  • Professor Mere Berryman, School of Education
  • Dr Sayeeda Bano, School of Accounting, Finance and Economics
  • Sianiti Nakabea Bulisala, Pacific Student Success
  • Tania Heke, Division of Education

External Advisory Group

• The Taskforce will be supported by an external Advisory Group, bringing together national race relations and tertiary sector expertise, along with international tertiary sector expertise.

Consultation Groups

• As the Taskforce undertakes its work, staff and student Consultation Groups will be convened to ensure that a broad range of ideas contribute and respond to the plan as it develops.

Terms of Reference

• The Terms of Reference have been developed based on Council’s resolutions following the Parata Gardiner Review and are deliberately broad in nature.

Contributions invited

• The Taskforce invites comments and questions about any aspect of its work at any time to [email protected].
• For those that may find it helpful, this matrix template is offered as a guide to assist in collating written comment.

News and Announcements

• 28 April 2021 Statement

  Message from the Chancellor: Report of the Taskforce accepted by Council

  A message from the Chancellor on the report of the Taskforce to the University Council. Read More...

• 21 December 2020 Statement

  Message from The Taskforce co-chairs

  Linda and Alister share a brief update on the work of The Taskforce as the year draws to a close. Read More...

• 3 November 2020 Event

  Meet with the Taskforce - Tauranga (4 November), Hamilton (5 November)

  You are invited to attend one or more sessions to discuss what works and what doesn’t in relation to current practice and how these activities might look in future. Read More...

• 27 October 2020 Event

  Taskforce student and staff sessions

  The Taskforce is holding sessions with student groups in Hamilton on Thursday 29 October and with staff and students in Tauranga on 4 November. Read More...

• 2 October 2020 Statement

  Joint statement from Te Tari o te Kiingitanga, The Office of the Kiingitanga, and the University of Waikato

  University of Waikato Chancellor Sir Anand Satyanand has assured Kiingitanga the University will act on the recommendations of an independent report into claims of structural, systemic and casual racism at the institution. Read More...

• 25 September 2020 News

  Findings of the independent review into public claims of racism at the University of Waikato

  The reviewers commissioned to assess public claims of racism at the University of Waikato have presented their final report to the University Council. Read More...