Kia orāna, mālō e lelei, tālofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu, ni sa bula vinaka, taloha ni, halo olgeta, ia orana, ko na mauri, wa wa wa, aloha mai, and warm Pacific greetings!
The University of Waikato is a place where Pacific learners have thrived for generations. When you study at Waikato, you follow in the footsteps of Pacific leaders, engineers, nurses, lawyers, educators, scientists, technologists, artists, and innovators.
You can also write your own story, gain an education, and earn a qualification that will open doors and opportunities. Like the voyaging peoples of the past, you may go to new places and challenge the horizon.
Our programmes, activities and events are designed to help you imua — that is, to go forward and lead from the front. And our team and wider aiga are here to help you succeed.
Dr Keakaokawai (Keaka) Varner Hemi
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific
Pathways of learning, leadership and success
Our team administers a growing number of initiatives designed to build, illuminate and smooth pathways of success.
Aiga, culture and community at Waikato
Pacific cultures and languages are precious taonga that create community and belonging. We celebrate various independence days at Waikato.
Pacific Strategic Plan
The Pacific Strategic Plan was developed through consultation with staff, students, committees and other stakeholders and was adopted by Council in June 2021. The Plan is the product of many different conversations over years — and over decades.
Scholarships and awards
We know that a helping hand goes a long way in turning a smart brain into a great mind and we offer several scholarships for new Pacific students.
The Conch
The Conch is our dedicated Pacific student space, located on level zero of the Student Centre. It's a great place to recharge and relax between classes.
Lo'i Research and Innovation Hub
We have a thriving research ecosystem that nurtures Pacific research, researchers and research excellence and a new Lo'i Hub under development.
Our people
Meet the Pacific at Waikato team that provides strategic leadership, direction, programs, advice, and resources designed to help Pacific learners achieve success.
Pacific student associations
The University is home to 12 Pacific student associations. Whether you are looking for a place to grow your leadership, learn about Pacific culture and language, to find others studying in your field or to make friends — we have an association for you.
Pacific student success stories
One student's Pacific at Waikato experience
What's it like being a Pacific student at the University of Waikato? Hear Wiliame Daveta’s story. Then catch up with other great Pacific at Waikato events and celebrations like Language Weeks on our playlist.
TEDxUniversity of Waikato
Identity After the Storm: Past, Present and Rising | Dr Unaisi Narawa
Dr Unaisi Narawa reframes the Pacific narrative through identity, resilience and belonging. She explores how climate displacement threatens culture, while highlighting communities’ strength to adapt, resist and redefine what it means to be Pacific.
Indigenous Wisdom for Mental Wellbeing | Dr Sione Vaka
When disaster strikes, Pacific communities face not only physical loss but deep psychological impacts. Dr Sione Vaka explores how kava, talanoa and Ūloa can strengthen mental health by restoring connection, identity and collective care. True resilience begins when culture leads the way.
Pacific-related papers
- ANTHY102 – Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
- CLIMT104 - Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies: The Climate Change Crisis
- HELTH220 – Navigating Hauora in Aotearoa and the Pacific
- HISTY117 – Global Indigenous History
- MAORI103 – Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
- PACIS100 - Introduction to Pacific Histories, Languages and Cultures
- CLIMT202 – Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Responses to Climate Change
- EDSOC203 - Education in the Moana: Critical Indigenous Talatalanoa
- HELTH220 – Facilitating Hauora in Aotearoa and the Pacific
- HISTY200 – Pacific History
- LINGS203 – Language, Society and Culture
- PACIS200 – Pacific Migration, Diaspora and Identity
- ENVPL512 - Advanced Contemporary Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Environmental Planning
- HLTSC550 - Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Professional Health Practice
- HLTSC551 - Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Health Leadership
- LEGAL504 - Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Legal Research Methodologies
- LEGAL540 – Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law
- MAORI570 - Te Mahi Rangahau: Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methods and Issues
- PACIS500 – Critical Pacific Studies
- PACIS590 – Pacific and Indigenous Studies Directed Study
- PACIS594 – Pacific and Indigenous Studies Masters Thesis
- TERTL515 – Pacific Pedagogies for Tertiary Teachers & Learners