Spirituality

The University of Waikato embraces students of all religions.

On our Hamilton campus, we have a chapel, as well as dedicated prayer rooms, student groups and two Chaplains who are able to support all students regardless of background or beliefs. Tauranga students can access our chaplaincy service by making an appointment.

Lady Goodfellow Chapel

The Lady Goodfellow Chapel is located across from UniRec on our Hamilton campus. The chapel complex has a number of uses, including the Chaplains offices. The Chapel is a good quiet space for students to come think, pray or study.

Several student groups also use the chapel for meetings.

Find out more about the Lady Goodfellow Chapel.

Chaplaincy

Need someone to talk with about what’s going on in your life? Looking to connect with others of your faith, or even across faiths? Need a quiet space to think, pray, or meditate? Want to explore your spiritual journey with someone? Or just desperate for a coffee? 

Our two chaplains, Brother Andrew (Ecumenical) and Father JP (Juan Pedro) (Catholic) are available for pastoral support regardless of your background or beliefs.

We also have Assistant Chaplains volunteering alongside us on the Hamilton Campus: Nadine Werner and Nick Goodwin. Discussions are under way to appoint a volunteer Assistant Chaplain for our Tauranga Campus.

We seek to nurture the spirituality of students and staff, encouraging you to work out your faith within your academic disciplines and vocations. The chaplaincy team provides a listening ear, reflection and feedback. Just drop in at the Hamilton Campus or make an appointment to see Brother Andrew when he visits Tauranga.

Visit them at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, the home of chaplaincy on the Hamilton campus, or make an appointment to see Brother Andrew when he visits Tauranga.

Support

Brother Andrew McKean
Ecumenical Chaplain
Email: chaplain@waikato.ac.nz
DDI: (07) 858 5654
Mob: 022 066 9783

Brother Andrew is the Ecumenical Chaplain, a pastor or minister available for the pastoral support of staff and students irrespective of their background or beliefs. Ordained (trained and licensed) as an Anglican minister, he belongs to the Waikato Interfaith Council, and has a Bachelor of Theology and a DipGrad in Religious Studies. He is particularly interested in issues around the Church and Postmodern Culture, and in Interfaith Work generally. Brother Andrew oversees all bookings for the Lady Goodfellow Chapel in Hamilton. He visits Tauranga roughly once a fortnight - please email or message him to make an appointment for his next visit.

Father JP (Juan Pedro) Maldonado
Roman Catholic Chaplain
Email: juan.maldonado@waikato.ac.nz
Ph:   (07) 838 4466 ext 8575
Mob: 021 090 00125

Father JP (Juan Pedro) is the Roman Catholic Chaplain and is also available to all staff and students. Besides his training in the Ecclesiastical Sciences (holding a PhD in Christian Philosophy), he has exercised his pastoral activity in Spain, Italy, Kenya and Australia, mainly among young people. All are welcome to a friendly chat to share your joys, sorrows and hopes. You can arrange a meeting by email (Juan.Maldonado@waikato.ac.nz) or knock on his door at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel. He is normally on campus Monday to Friday.

Prayer Rooms

We have Muslim Prayer rooms available in L Block and SUB. To access these spaces, you will need swipe access entered on your student ID card from the Security Office in BX Block.

Student Groups

Hamilton

Student groups meet regularly at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel. Meetings generally occur during teaching periods of A and B trimesters.

Student groups associated with the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, Hamilton, include:

Note: these groups generally meet only during A and B Trimester teaching weeks.

Contact Brother Andrew for more information.

Tauranga

Tertiary Students’ Christian Fellowship (TSCF) meet on campus.

Contact Dave Hodgkinson for more details by emailing daveh@tscf.org.nz