Why work at Waikato
Our beautiful campuses and excellent facilities located in Hamilton and Tauranga are the centre of our University and provide a stimulating and fulfilling work environment.
Sited on a parkland campus within heartland New Zealand, the University of Waikato is the principal regional contributor to high quality tertiary education, a driver for innovation and contributor to growth.
Covering some 68 hectares of Tainui land the University’s location, origins, partnerships with Māori and unique regional and cultural resources have always been fundamental aspects of our identity. Our strong connections with the Kīngitanga, Waikato-Tainui and many other iwi throughout New Zealand demonstrate our commitment to partnership with Māori as intended by the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our reach extends to our growing presence in Tauranga, on the north-eastern coast of the Bay of Plenty, that includes a modern purpose-built facility and student accommodation in the heart of the CBD, and leading research field stations throughout the Bay area.
With our high international rankings, and having marked our first half century, the University is looking forward to setting the foundations for our next 50 years.
Hamilton
Hamilton (Māori: Kirikiriroa) is located in the heart of the Waikato and is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. It has an urban and semi-urban population of about 180,000, plenty of schools (public and private), a temperate climate and a blend of modern city benefits and distinctive rural character.
The city has a vast array of restaurants, cafes and bars and several retail centres. The city is generally safe and house prices are more affordable than many of New Zealand’s other major centres. Hamilton has its own domestic airport and is 90 minutes away from the country’s main international airport in Auckland.
Hamilton is known for its cultural and outdoor experiences and caters well for sports lovers with more than 135 parks and gardens, 58 sports grounds and more than 1000 hectares of open spaces. Cycling and walking paths flank the Waikato River that runs through the city, the internationally renowned and ever popular Hamilton Gardens and the Te Awa River Ride are directly on your doorstep.
Within a short drive of the city boundary are beaches, lakes and mountains, and unique attractions including Tūrangawaewae Marae (headquarters of Te Kīngitanga), the Waitomo caves, the Hobbiton film set, Raglan’s famous surf beaches and popular tourist destinations of the Bay of Plenty (where our Tauranga campus is located), Rotorua, Taupō and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Read more about living in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Tauranga
Tauranga is a city on New Zealand’s east coast and is home to a population of 140,000. Known for some of the most beautiful surf beaches in the country, Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region is a top holiday destination for kiwis and tourists alike. Its mild climate and high sunshine hours mean residents enjoy a sunny, laid-back lifestyle in one of our fastest growing cities.
The area has a wide range of restaurants, cafes and wineries, and enjoys a vibrant music, arts and culture scene. Local adventure attractions include surfing, white-water rafting, jetboating, kayaking, dolphin encounters, horse treks, parasailing, skydiving, scenic flights, golf courses and a variety of gardens and museums. Tauranga provides easy access to the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, wider Bay of Plenty and East Coast regions, as well as inland to Rotorua, Taupō, Hamilton, Auckland and beyond.
The University has been active in the Bay of Plenty since the 1990s, when we first formed an alliance with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, and in 2001, the University's first cohort of Bay of Plenty students graduated in Tauranga. In 2019 the University opened its purpose-build CBD campus doors to staff and students alike.
Read more about the Bay of Plenty and working in New Zealand.
Benefits of working with us
When you join us you can experience some of our career-enhancing and lifestyle-changing benefits.
- Enjoy living and working in two of New Zealand’s fastest growing and innovative cities – Hamilton and Tauranga
- Enjoy working in a relaxed, purpose-built campus environment
- Enjoy a selection of cafes, food outlets and retail options on campus or in close proximity
- Enjoy campuses that are located close to some of New Zealand’s most glorious nature spots – from beaches to caves and native bush
- Flexible working hours that support an effective work life balance (on a case-by-case basis dependent on the role)
- Modern technology that supports working anytime and anywhere
- Privately run crèche and kōhanga reo childcare at the Hamilton Campus
- Recreation facilities on site or nearby – our Hamilton campus features a fully equipped gym and in Tauranga, a gym and swimming pool membership is available off-campus at discounted rates
- Counselling support for employees and their families is available free of charge, confidential, and off campus
- Discounts on health insurance and eye testing, and free flu jabs are available for eligible staff
- Discounts on income protection and life insurance schemes are offered for consideration
- Join the UniSaver NZ superannuation scheme and where eligible, subsidised employees can benefit from up to 6.75% employer contributions
- KiwiSaver is also available for eligible employees
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Employees receive 4 weeks annual leave, plus the University provides an additional week of leave which is determined by the employer, along with the 12 NZ statutory holidays.
- Generous sick leave provisions that ensure you have time to look after yourself and immediate whānau / family during periods of sickness or injury
- Generous leave entitlements for other needs such as parental leave, long service leave, volunteer leave, study and professional development leave
- Volunteer Service Leave is encouraged for activities in support of organisations, projects and causes for the common good
- Multiple car park options on the Hamilton campus with parking charged at low rates and free (time limited) parking on nearby streets
- Subsidised bus fares within Hamilton city
- Secure bike storage facilities across campus
- Bookable shuttle service running daily between Hamilton and Tauranga campuses for staff and students
- Study with us while you work with low or no charges for papers offered by the University
- Personal and professional development is encouraged and supported with staff able to access a variety of in-house development programmes throughout the year
- Library services are available for all staff to access
- Our eligible academic employees are encouraged to take study leave - paid study leave of up to eight weeks for each year of service is available
- Discounts on goods and services with well-known brands and companies
- A wide range of professional and interest networks across campus
- Relocation assistance may be offered for staff moving nationally or globally.
In some cases, the benefits entitlement may depend on your employment agreement and location.