The University of Waikato

25/09/2026

Sport and human performance isn’t just something our team teaches and researches. It’s something they get out into the community and put into practice.

Recently, staff from the School of Sport and Human Movement took part in the Grassroots Trust Velodrome Team Challenge, joining other riders from the community for six weeks of training before taking on the challenge on the track.

For several members of the team, it was their first time riding a track bike. They put their skills, preparation and teamwork to the test and came away with the win, edging out experienced community riders by just 0.038 seconds in the final.

It was a great opportunity to get involved in a local sporting event, try something new and connect with the wider cycling community.

Congratulations to Bronwyn, Monica, Rob and Lily for their work on the track, and to Will and Emma for the support behind the scenes.

We’re proud to see our School of Sport and Human Movement team getting involved in the community and putting their expertise into action.

Now there’s just the small matter of defending the title next year...

25/09/2026

23/09/2026

Do you have a dog who is food-driven? They may be the perfect fit for our Dog Lab!

The University of Waikato's Scent Detection Research Group works with pet dogs from the Waikato community on disease detection projects to tackle real-world issues, such as lung cancer and invasive fish.

Want to volunteer your dog? Contact [email protected] or head to the link in comments to learn more ⬇️

22/09/2026

What if men and women respond to strength training more similarly than you might think? 🏋️

Dr Monica Nelson from the University of Waikato’s School of Sport and Human Movement shares one of the findings that surprised her most during her research into strength and women’s sport.

So why don’t more athletes and coaches know about it?

Watch Monica explain.

22/09/2026

Kīngitanga Day is an annual opportunity for our University of Waikato community to come together across our Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.

This year’s theme, ‘Tīmatangia Te Puea: Honouring the legacy of service, excellence and collective responsibility’, reflected on the legacy of Te Puea Hērangi and the importance of connection, service and looking after one another.

Across the day, tauira, kaimahi and community members came together for kōrero, cultural activities, workshops, kai and opportunities to learn and share.

In Hamilton, Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell reflected on more than 30 years of research, teaching and cultural leadership, while in Tauranga, Te Puea Winiata ONZM shared her personal story of carrying the name of Princess Te Puea Hērangi and finding her own path within that legacy.

From making taonga uku and fried bread to learning about mau rākau, exploring special collections in the Library and hearing about connections between Indigenous communities in New Zealand, the United States and Wales, the day offered many ways to connect with culture, knowledge and each other.

At its heart, Kīngitanga Day is about our longstanding relationship with the Kīngitanga, Waikato-Tainui and iwi across the motu, and creating opportunities for our community to come together and carry these connections forward.

Read the full story in the comments ⬇️

20/09/2026

What does it really take to protect and grow te reo Māori in a digital world?

In this powerful moment from Professor Te Taka Keegan’s professorial lecture, he shares a hard truth - we can’t rely on overseas tech to carry our language forward.

Instead, the future lies in building our own tools, in our own way, for our own communities.

This is just one insight from a lecture that spans 30 years of research, innovation, and advocacy for te reo Māori in technology.

Watch the full lecture via the link in comments ⬇️

19/09/2026

Have you ever wondered about the story behind the name Maungatautari? 🌄

We're exploring its origins and the history that continues to shape our connection to this special place.

18/09/2026

Our local place names carry generations of history, meaning, and identity.

Today, we're reflecting on the story behind Ngāruawāhia and what it tells us about our community's past.

17/09/2026

From coastlines to communities, every place name has a story.

Today, we're exploring the origins of Raglan and the history that makes it unique.

Māori Ki Waikato Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

16/09/2026

Our place names carry stories, history, and connection.

Today, we're learning about how Kirikiriroa got its name and the story behind the place many of us call home. Watch the video to learn more.

Māori Ki Waikato Te Wiki o te Reo Māori