Welcome to Waikato Hamilton schedule of events

17–21 February 2025

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Get ready for university study with our specialised Welcome to Waikato Week.

Discover your campus, connect with support teams, and get familiar with our systems and spaces through essential presentations, information sessions, and fun social activities.

We’ll help you feel confident and ready for an amazing university experience.

Check the schedule often as it may change. You'll be able to see if the event is required, or recommended:

  • Required: all students should attend
  • Recommended: attendance optional, but we recommend it!

Looking for the Tauranga campus schedule?

Hamilton schedule

Wednesday 19 February

Time Event  Location Details
9am–5pm Accessibility Lounge Te Manawa, M.1.42 Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. Our Accessibility Services team welcome you to drop in and hang out in the Accessibility Lounge during the week of Welcome to Waikato activities. Each day we'll be hosting sessions about the service including meeting some of the team, taking a look at the software available to support your learning and more.
9–10am Waikato Students' Union Breakfast on the Green The Village Green Available for all students. Join Waikato Students' Union (WSU) for some free food before you start your day!
10am–12.30pm International students' orientation The Pā Required for all international students. International Student Orientation is a welcoming session designed to help new international students transition smoothly into their academic and social life. It provides essential information about campus resources, cultural adjustment, academic expectations, and immigration requirements. Discover all the amazing support services available to you and get a chance to win exciting spot prizes along the way!
10–11am Study Toolbox: Tech, Library and Learning* S.1.04 Uni study is easiest when you know the tools. Come to a Study Toolbox session to get essential info about learning, tech and the Library. This is the general academic orientation session for all new students.
11am–12pm Wellbeing Orientation Kōrero* S.1.04 Required for all students; only attend one Kōrero session. Join us for an interactive kōrero around wellbeing support services and opportunities available to you as showcased through the Māori model of holistic health, Te Whare Tapa Whā. Representatives from UniRec, Wellbeing Hub, and Student Health Services will be there to answer any questions as you engage in your wellbeing journey.
10.30am–12pm Library Tours* Te Manawa, Level 2 Recommended for all students; only attend one Library tour. Te Iho o Te Manawataki, Library, welcome you to tour our building and learn about what we offer to students while you study at the University. These tours are run at multiple times during this period and cover our collections, services and spaces. Head on in, we can't wait to meet you.
12–1pm WSU Lunch The Village Green Available for all students. Head to The Village Green for some free food thanks to the Waikato Students' Union (WSU).
12.30–1.30pm Campus Tours* Atea, outside The Pā Recommended for all students to attend campus tour once. Join our Student Ambassadors on a tour around our beautiful Hamilton campus. Tours depart from the Atea, outside The Pā.
1–1.50pm AI for students: the what, when and how L.G.01

Learn how to use AI responsibly as a university student, including how to know when and when not to use AI tools. Get tips for better results and discuss common challenges. 
Join us in person or tune in via the webcast

2–3pm Meet the Accessibility Student representatives. Te Manawa, M.1.42 (Accessibility Lounge) Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. 
2–4.30pm Scavenger Hunt The Village Green Recommended for all students. Join the Student Scavenger Hunt and explore the university campus in a fun and interactive way! Discover key student services, complete exciting challenges, and connect with new friends—all while competing for awesome prizes. It’s the perfect way to learn about campus resources while having a great time!
3–4pm UniRec Gym Tours* UniRec Recommended for all students; only attend one gym tour. Head to UniRec to see what's on offer at this facility and hear about the latest membership options. Tour directions will be available in the UniRec reception area.

*Multiple times available for this event, you only need to go to one.

Thursday 20 February

Time Event  Location Details
9am–5pm Accessibility Lounge Te Manawa, M.1.42 Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. Our Accessibility Services team welcome you to drop in and hang out in the Accessibility Lounge during the week of Welcome to Waikato activities. Each day we'll be hosting sessions about the service including meeting some of the team, taking a look at the software available to support your learning and more.
9am–12pm Pacific at Waikato orientation Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts  
9–10am Waikato Students' Union Breakfast on The Green The Village Green Available for all students. Join Waikato Students' Union (WSU) for some free food before you start your day!
10–11am Accessibility Service: Drop in and meet the team Te Manawa, M.1.42 (Accessibility Lounge) Recommended for anyone who self-identifies as needing accessibility support; Meet the Accessibility Services team in the Accessibility Lounge.
10–11am Study Toolbox: Tech, Library and Learning* S.1.04 Required for all students; only attend each topic once. Uni study is easiest when you know the tools. Come to a Study Toolbox session to get essential info about learning, tech and the Library. This is the general academic orientation session for all new students.
11am–12pm Wellbeing Welcome Kōrero* S.1.04 Required for all students; only attend one kōrēro session. Join us for an interactive kōrero around wellbeing support services and opportunities available to you as showcased through the Māori model of holistic health, Te Whare Tapa Whā. Representatives from UniRec, Wellbeing Hub and Student Health will be there to answer any questions as you engage in your wellbeing journey. 
11–11.30am Library Tour* Te Manawa, Level 2 Te Iho o Te Manawataki, Library, welcome you to tour our building and learn about what we offer to students while you study at the University. These tours are run at multiple times during this period and cover our collections, services and spaces. Head on in, we can't wait to meet you.
12–1pm WSU Lunch The Village Green Available for all students. Head to The Village Green for some free food thanks to the Waikato Students' Union (WSU).
12–2pm Māori ki Waikato Te Kōpūroa, The Pā Required for students who whakapapa Māori. 

Join us for the Māori Ki Waikato Orientation Part Two! This session is all about connecting with our Te Puna Tautoko team in an expo-style event, where you can meet the network of services dedicated to supporting tauira Māori. Come along, learn about the resources available to you, and take the next step in your journey!

Karawhuia e hoa mā!

12–1pm WSU Lunch The Village Green Head to the Village Green for some free food thanks to Waikato Students' Union.
1–2pm Study skills for University S.1.02 This session discusses key strategies for managing your studies and time, and how to succeed as an independent learner. Join in person or watch the live webcast.
12–6pm UniRec Open Day UniRec Recommended for all students. All UniRec facilities and services including the sports hall, cardio and weights areas and group classes will be available to students whether they are a UniRec member or not.
12.30–1.30pm Campus Tours* Atea, outside The Pā Recommended for all students. Join our Student Ambassadors on a tour around our beautiful Hamilton campus. Tours depart from the Atea, outside The Pā.
2–2.30pm Library tour, reo rua – bilingual Te Manawa, Level 2 Te Iho o Te Manawataki, Library, welcome you to tour our building and learn about what we offer to students while you study at the University. These tours are run at multiple times during this period and cover our collections, services and spaces. Head on in, we can't wait to meet you
1–2.30pm Help us help you: Academic panel Te Manawa, M.1.42 This is a chance for students with learning needs and accessibility requirements to have in-depth discussions with some of the academic staff on campus about how we can support you succeed in the University environment. Come along to ask questions and hear about real situations that we've been able to work together to find solutions to students needs.
2–3pm Library skills workshop S.1.02 The Library skills session cover all the essential skills you need to make you assignment research more effective and less stressful. It help you to get the most out of library search, find core resources  specific to your subject area, and teach you the basic principles behind academic referencing. The Library skills session cover all the essential skills you need to make you assignment research more effective and less stressful. It help you to get the most out of library search, find core resources  specific to your subject area, and teach you the basic principles behind academic referencing. 
2.30–3pm Library Tours* Te Manawa, Level 2 Te Iho o Te Manawataki, Library, welcome you to tour our building and learn about what we offer to students while you study at the University. These tours are run at multiple times during this period and cover our collections, services and spaces. Head on in, we can't wait to meet you.
2.30–3.30pm Waikato Management School Postgraduate orientation PWC Recommended for WMS postgraduate students. Kickstart your 2025 postgraduate studies at the Waikato Management School! Join us for a warm welcome, where you'll meet key staff, get essential tips, and discover how to navigate MyWaikato and Moodle—your go-to tools for accessing course materials, resources, and managing your enrolment. We’ll also introduce you to some of the fantastic student clubs available through WMS. Plus, after the session, you can take a tour of the Management School. 
2.30–3.30pm STEM Postgraduate orientation L.G.01 Recommended for STEM postgraduate students. Get a head start on your studies. Learn how to navigate MyWaikato and Moodle, your essential tools for accessing course materials, resources and managing your enrolment. Learn more about the Division, where and who to go to for help. 
2.30–3.30pm Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Postgraduate orientation  L.G.02 Recommended for Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences postgraduate students. Come along to get a head start on your 2025 postgraduate studies within Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences! We will help you better understand who to contact regarding your enrolment, and who your postgraduate convenor is. We will also tell you where to find our Student Advisors and study areas within the Division. 

*Multiple times available for this event, you only need to go to one.

Friday 21 February

Time Event  Location Details
9am–5pm Accessibility Lounge Te Manawa, M.1.42

Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. Our Accessibility Services team welcome you to drop in and hang out in the Accessibility Lounge during the week of Welcome to Waikato activities. Each day we'll be hosting sessions about the service including meeting some of the team, taking a look at the software available to support your learning and more.

9–10am Waikato Students' Union Breakfast on The Green The Village Green

Available for all students. Join Waikato Students' Union (WSU) for some free food before you start your day!

10–11am Reconnect to study MSB.1.20

Are you returning to study after a break? Meet other students and staff who can support your study success, over a cuppa. Both undergrad and postgrad students welcome.

11am–12pm Accessibility Service drop-in: Meet our team Te Manawa, M.1.42 (Accessibility Lounge)

Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. Meet the Accessibility Services Team in the Accessibility Lounge.

12–1pm WSU Lunch The Village Green

Available for all students. Head to The Village Green for some free food thanks to the Waikato Students' Union (WSU).

2–3pm Read&Write software* Te Manawa, M.1.42 (Accessibility Lounge)

Recommended for students who self-identify as needing accessibility support. Learn about the Read&Write software available to support students with additional learning requirements. Come to the Accessibility Lounge to hear how this can help you.

4–7pm Free Pick-up Sport Sessions UniRec Sports Hall

Recommended for all students. Free social sport sessions open to all students. 

Students show up, make teams with others and play in casual games.