Realising a Dream: Waikato-Tainui Te Arataura chair Tukoroirangi Morgan (left) with Waikato University Chancellor the Rt Hon Jim Bolger.
Another step was taken towards the fulfilment of the late Sir Robert Mahuta’s dream of a world class educational facility with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Waikato and the Waikato Tainui College for Research and Development.
Dr Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Academic Director of the Waikato Tainui College for Research and Development, said the signing of the MOU formalised a long standing relationship between the two tertiary institutions.
“This Memorandum recognises and commemorates the special relationship between Sir Robert and the University, and acknowledges the support given by the University over the period of the Raupatu negotiations and post-settlement,” said Dr Tiakiwai.
“It also further reinforces the commitment of our two organisations to the delivery of our flagship MBA programme (in partnership with the Waikato Management School) and, through our participation in the Leading Learning Network consortium, will provide professional leadership and support to schools throughout the Waikato-Tainui rohe.”
The Leading Learning Network is a consortium of educational providers comprising the University, the College, Cognition Education, CORE Education and NZCER. It has won a mix of regional and national professional learning development contracts throughout New Zealand.
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford said the agreement was fitting, given the University’s connections with Sir Robert, Tainui and the Kīngitanga.
“Providing strong educational channels for Māori students is of great importance to the University of Waikato so I am especially pleased we are signing this Memorandum of Understanding. It reinforces our distinctiveness, our links to Tainui, and our constant drive to produce the next generation of leaders.”
The signing was witnessed by the College’s patron Kīngi Tuheitia and more than 100 guests invited to the inaugural Waikato Raupatu Memorial Dinner held on February 1, where the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Jim Bolger, and the Hon Nanaia Mahuta were keynote speakers.
Tertiary Ties: Guests at the inaugural Waikato Raupatu Memorial Dinner included Waikato University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford, Faculty of Education Dean Professor Alister Jones, WMIER Research Manager Carolyn Jones, Waikato Management School Dean Professor Frank Scrimgeour and Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori Linda Smith.
“It is fitting to establish what we intend to be an annual dinner on this date, marking as it does the anniversary of the opening of this College by Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu 11 years ago in 2000. The date also marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Sir Robert,” said Dr Tiakiwai.
“It is a day when we can reflect on and remember the history of the Raupatu and its impact on this tribe and celebrate the crowning achievement of one of our greatest modern leaders and his ‘gift to the nation’.
“It is also an opportunity to look forward, to come together and debate and discuss the challenges of the future.”
View more photographs of staff attending the dinner on the University of Waikato facebook page.