The University of Waikato

To mark International Cat Day, we took a look back into the University archives and found some memorable campus cats.

In 1989, our student magazine Nexus featured a well-known Burmese cat named Tosca, who lived around campus and was clearly a familiar presence at the time. When Tosca went missing, it was significant enough to make the paper (see the article pictured). Thankfully, there was a happy ending and he returned home.

We also uncovered photos from 1986 of an office cat hanging out in Yolande Neilson’s office, who was the Overseas Student Adviser at the time.

We even came across scrapbook pages from the Patricia Glasgow diaries archive, documenting her cat Miss Blossum (1996–2006). We’re not able to share the full scrapbook online, but it will be featured in an upcoming Level 4 display in the library this September - so keep an eye out.

All this got us thinking... do you remember Tosca, know the name of the office cat, or recall any other campus cats? Share your memories or photos in the comments below.

It’s been a big week for the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Waikato.

We were proud to welcome our new Dean, Professor Scott Wilkes, with a pōwhiri on Monday. Joining us from the University of Sunderland, Professor Wilkes brings more than 30 years’ experience as a GP and over 20 years as a researcher within NHS England.

We also marked an exciting milestone for the future of the School, with a steel signing ceremony for the Health Precinct alongside our project partners Chow:Hill Architects, Foster Group Limited and Colliers New Zealand. It was a great opportunity to recognise the collaboration behind this important development.

Together, these moments highlight the strong progress being made as we work towards building a Graduate School of Medicine for our region and for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Find out more about the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine via the link in our bio/website.

Capturing carbon is only part of the solution, what happens to it next matters too.

As part of our Sustainability Report, we’re sharing how our research is helping to better understand how carbon can be safely stored and managed over time.

Our researchers are looking at how carbon moves through natural systems like land, oceans and rocks, and what this means for long-term climate stability. This helps identify which carbon storage solutions are most effective, and where risks need to be carefully managed.

It’s all part of building better, more informed approaches to climate action for the future.

We will continue sharing insights from our 2025 Sustainability Report. Read more via the link in comments ⬇️

Archie Porter moved to Hamilton to study Screen and Media Studies at Waikato, combining his love of film with creative writing and storytelling.

After completing his master’s, he joined Auckland studio Supernormal. Now, as Head of Post-Production, he crafts visual stories for global brands such as Hyundai and Disney.

He credits his success to the collaborative, supportive environment at Waikato, where small classes and passionate lecturers helped shape his creative voice.

Want to see how his journey unfolded? ⬇️
Read more in the comments.

Building affordable homes doesn’t have to come at the cost of sustainability.

As part of our Sustainability Report, we’re sharing how our engineering researchers are exploring new ways to build smarter using cold-formed steel.

This type of steel is made without heat, using less energy and creating fewer emissions. It’s also recyclable and can help reduce waste at the end of a building’s life.

Our research shows it could also lower building costs, speed up construction, and create strong homes that can better handle New Zealand’s weather conditions.

It’s one way we’re working towards more affordable, sustainable housing for the future.

We will continue sharing insights from our 2025 Sustainability Report. Read more via the link in comments ⬇️

The University of Waikato acknowledges with sadness the passing of former staff member Dr Judy Moreland.

An internationally recognised education researcher, Judy made a significant contribution to science and technology education through her work on assessment in primary school classrooms, teacher professional learning and curriculum development. Her research shaped educational practice in New Zealand and around the world.

Beyond academia, Judy was a passionate supporter of Waikato sport, making a lasting contribution to netball and rugby at community and regional levels.

Our thoughts are with Judy's family, friends, former colleagues and the Cambridge sporting community at this difficult time.