Research with Waikato
The University of Waikato has internationally recognised research capabilities and facilities across a numerous disciplines and strive to deliver pioneering research and transfer that knowledge into industry and government sectors. We have established research partnerships with industry, government, education, and business, and we are keen to develop new research partnerships in a range of research fields and applications.
Key research sectors
Institutes & Centres
Environmental Research Institute (ERI)
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research (ICTAR)
Lake Ecosystem Restoration New Zealand (LERNZ)
Coastal Marine Group (CMG)
Thermophile and Microbial Biochemistry and Biotechnology Unit (TRU)
Waikato Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory
Waikato Stable Isotope Unit (WSIU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr John Tyrrell (email, or see John's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Exemplars
Toxic in Crowds: The triggers of toxin production in planktonic cyanobacteria, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Prof David Hamilton
New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (nzTABS); Lead researcher: Prof Craig Cary
Environmental Research Institute (ERI)
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research (ICTAR)
Lake Ecosystem Restoration New Zealand (LERNZ)
Coastal Marine Group (CMG)
Thermophile and Microbial Biochemistry and Biotechnology Unit (TRU)
Waikato Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory
Waikato Stable Isotope Unit (WSIU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr John Tyrrell (email, or see John's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Exemplars
Toxic in Crowds: The triggers of toxin production in planktonic cyanobacteria, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Prof David Hamilton
New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (nzTABS); Lead researcher: Prof Craig Cary
We have a focus on functional food/bioactive research as part of our biomedical capability. Whether you are looking for specific research expertise or seeking partners for collaboration, we have a diverse range of specialist researchers to support your needs.
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
We are committed to supporting Māori and indigenous development through our research and our researchers. Whether you are an Iwi or Māori organisation looking for specific research expertise or a mainstream organisation looking for Māori research expertise, the University has a diverse range of scholars that can support your needs.
Institutes & Centres
Te Mata Punenga o Te Kotahi: Te Kotahi Research Institute
The Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre: Te Mata Hautū Taketake (MIGC)
Centre for Māori and Pacific Development Research (CMPDR)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Tipene Merritt (email, or see Tipene's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
Exemplars
Te Mauria Whiritoi: The sky as a cultural resource – Māori astronomy, ritual and ecological knowledge, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Dr Rangi Matamua
Tiakina Te Pā Harakeke, funded by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga; Principal Investigator: Leonie Pihama
Institutes & Centres
Te Mata Punenga o Te Kotahi: Te Kotahi Research Institute
The Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre: Te Mata Hautū Taketake (MIGC)
Centre for Māori and Pacific Development Research (CMPDR)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Tipene Merritt (email, or see Tipene's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
Exemplars
Te Mauria Whiritoi: The sky as a cultural resource – Māori astronomy, ritual and ecological knowledge, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Dr Rangi Matamua
Tiakina Te Pā Harakeke, funded by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga; Principal Investigator: Leonie Pihama
As New Zealand’s leading Faculty of Education, we are committed to enhancing education through the three interconnected disciplines of teaching, research and professional learning. Our research institutes and centres support research that informs policy and practice, as well as contributing theoretical insights. We also offer professional learning programmes for educators and organisations that are underpinned by current research findings. Whether you are looking for specific research or professional learning and development expertise or seeking partners for research collaborations, we have a diverse range of specialist researchers and practitioners to support your needs.
Institutes & Centres
Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research (WMIER)
Institute of Professional Learning – Te Whai Toi Tangata (IPL)
Centre for Global Studies in Education: Te Waiwhakaata ki te Ao Mātauranga (CGSE)
Early Years Research Centre
Educational Leadership Research Centre
The National Centre of Literacy and Numeracy for Adults: Tukua Kia Rere (NCLANA)
Technology, Environmental, Mathematics and Science Education Research Centre (TEMS Education Research Centre)
Engineering Education Research Unit (EERU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Exemplars
Re-engineering an engineering course: How flipped classrooms afford transformative teaching, learning, and workplace competency, funded by the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI); Principal Investigators: Dr Mira Peter, Dr Elaine Khoo
Children visiting a museum: information gathering or creative capacity building?, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Prof Margaret Carr
NZ Science Learning Hub & NZ Biotechnology Learning Hub, Directors: Prof Alister Jones and Prof Bronwen Cowie
Institutes & Centres
Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research (WMIER)
Institute of Professional Learning – Te Whai Toi Tangata (IPL)
Centre for Global Studies in Education: Te Waiwhakaata ki te Ao Mātauranga (CGSE)
Early Years Research Centre
Educational Leadership Research Centre
The National Centre of Literacy and Numeracy for Adults: Tukua Kia Rere (NCLANA)
Technology, Environmental, Mathematics and Science Education Research Centre (TEMS Education Research Centre)
Engineering Education Research Unit (EERU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Exemplars
Re-engineering an engineering course: How flipped classrooms afford transformative teaching, learning, and workplace competency, funded by the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI); Principal Investigators: Dr Mira Peter, Dr Elaine Khoo
Children visiting a museum: information gathering or creative capacity building?, funded by the Marsden Fund; Principal Investigator: Prof Margaret Carr
NZ Science Learning Hub & NZ Biotechnology Learning Hub, Directors: Prof Alister Jones and Prof Bronwen Cowie
Institutes & Centres
Learning, Behaviour and Welfare Research Unit (LBWRU)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Traffic and Road Safety Research Group (TARS)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
Learning, Behaviour and Welfare Research Unit (LBWRU)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Traffic and Road Safety Research Group (TARS)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Dr Nikki Harcourt (email, or see Nikki's profile)
Institutes & Centres
Institute for Security and Crime Science
National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA)
Canadian-New Zealand Studies Unit (CNZSU)
Historical Research Unit (HRU)
Learning, Behaviour and Welfare Research Unit (LBWRU)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Text and Translation Research Unit (TTRU)
Waikato Gender Research Network (WGRN)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Jenny Robertson (email, or see Jenny's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Institute for Security and Crime Science
National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA)
Canadian-New Zealand Studies Unit (CNZSU)
Historical Research Unit (HRU)
Learning, Behaviour and Welfare Research Unit (LBWRU)
Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU)
Text and Translation Research Unit (TTRU)
Waikato Gender Research Network (WGRN)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Jenny Robertson (email, or see Jenny's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Our research expertise ranges from process engineering and plant efficiency, petroleum exploration geoscience, energy cultures, household energy and energy systems modelling, to the legal and regulatory frameworks for carbon capture and storage and geothermal resources.
Industrial Energy Efficiency
The goal of the Energy Research Centre is improved competitiveness for New Zealand industry through research aimed at achieving increased energy efficiency and conservation. We are seeking to work collaboratively with industry to measure, analyse and interpret energy usage profiles to identify and implement improved process and energy efficiency opportunities.
Energy Law
The Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law (CEREL) draws on the most substantial concentration of academic expertise in New Zealand in environmental law, natural resources law, and energy law. CEREL offers highly-skilled capability in providing research, educational and advisory services and is looking to work with a range of end-users, including government agencies, international agencies, non-government organisations, corporations and their legal advisers, professional institutions and local agencies.
Institutes & Centres
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
Energy Research Centre
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Exemplars
Increasing energy efficiency in our biggest industries, funded by MBIE; Project Leader: Prof Peter Kamp
Geothermal minerals laws clarified, part of the GNS-led project From Waste to Wealth, funded by MBIE
Carbon Capture & Storage law in New Zealand, funded by MBIE; Project Leader: Prof Barry Barton
Industrial Energy Efficiency
The goal of the Energy Research Centre is improved competitiveness for New Zealand industry through research aimed at achieving increased energy efficiency and conservation. We are seeking to work collaboratively with industry to measure, analyse and interpret energy usage profiles to identify and implement improved process and energy efficiency opportunities.
Energy Law
The Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law (CEREL) draws on the most substantial concentration of academic expertise in New Zealand in environmental law, natural resources law, and energy law. CEREL offers highly-skilled capability in providing research, educational and advisory services and is looking to work with a range of end-users, including government agencies, international agencies, non-government organisations, corporations and their legal advisers, professional institutions and local agencies.
Institutes & Centres
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
Energy Research Centre
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Exemplars
Increasing energy efficiency in our biggest industries, funded by MBIE; Project Leader: Prof Peter Kamp
Geothermal minerals laws clarified, part of the GNS-led project From Waste to Wealth, funded by MBIE
Carbon Capture & Storage law in New Zealand, funded by MBIE; Project Leader: Prof Barry Barton
Our researchers work closely with innovators, businesses and industry to form partnerships that will progress new ideas and technologies to maximise economic benefits to New Zealand.
Institutes & Centres
Waikato Centre for Advanced Materials (WaiCAM)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Tipene Merritt (email, or see Tipene's profile)
Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Examples
Localised Water Heating
Aduro Biolpolymers
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), Ligar
Institutes & Centres
Waikato Centre for Advanced Materials (WaiCAM)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Tipene Merritt (email, or see Tipene's profile)
Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Examples
Localised Water Heating
Aduro Biolpolymers
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), Ligar
Institutes & Centres
Institute for Security and Crime Science
Centre for Open Software Innovation (COSI)
Cyber Security Research Group (CROW)
WAND Network Research Group (WAND)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Tauranga: Shane Stuart (email, or see Shane's profile)
Institute for Security and Crime Science
Centre for Open Software Innovation (COSI)
Cyber Security Research Group (CROW)
WAND Network Research Group (WAND)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Brian Cole (email, or see Brian's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Tauranga: Shane Stuart (email, or see Shane's profile)
The Waikato Management School is a Triple Crown accredited business school. Our research expertise covers accounting, economics, finance, management communication and management systems, marketing, strategy and human resource management, and tourism and hospitality management. We research at the regional, national and global scales, with impacts related to and including economic development, environmental sustainability, improving health delivery, managerial change, informed policy development and socio-cultural improvements.
Institute for Business Research
The Institute aims to add value to your business and offers a range of research, advisory and consultancy services to end-users, including commercial, public sector and not-for profit organisations.
Management Research Centre
The Management Research Centre performs a range of financial benchmarking and business performance comparison surveys for New Zealand's commercial sector.
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Paul Westerbeke (email, or see Paul's profile)
Institute for Business Research
The Institute aims to add value to your business and offers a range of research, advisory and consultancy services to end-users, including commercial, public sector and not-for profit organisations.
Management Research Centre
The Management Research Centre performs a range of financial benchmarking and business performance comparison surveys for New Zealand's commercial sector.
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Paul Westerbeke (email, or see Paul's profile)
Institutes & Centres
Mediarena Centre for Research
Audience Research Unit (ARU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Jenny Robertson (email, or see Jenny's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Mediarena Centre for Research
Audience Research Unit (ARU)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Dr Simon Lovatt (email, or see Simon's profile)
Jenny Robertson (email, or see Jenny's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Institutes & Centres
Institute for Security and Crime Science
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
The Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre: Te Mata Hautū Taketake (MIGC)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Paul Westerbeke (email, or see Paul's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Institute for Security and Crime Science
Centre for Environmental, Resources and Energy Law: Te Pūtahi o te Ture Taiāo (CEREL)
The Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre: Te Mata Hautū Taketake (MIGC)
Research & Enterprise Contacts
Paul Westerbeke (email, or see Paul's profile)
Wellington: Dr Trevor Drage (email, or see Trev's profile)
Research capabilities
University of Waikato staff and students undertake internationally recognised research in both sector-based and multi-disciplinary fields.
- Research Institutes, Centres, Units and Groups
- University Research Capabilities by Faculty: Arts & Social Sciences, Computing & Mathematical Sciences, Education, Law, Management, Māori & Indigenous Studies, Science & Engineering
- Research Outputs (Database of research publications and digital repository for scholarly outputs)
- Staff Research Areas (University of Waikato "Experts' File")
- See the University's press releases for the latest research (and other) news.
The University also provides specialist analytical and technical facilities.