Welcome to Waikato Tauranga schedule of events
18, 19 & 21 February 2025
Get ready for university study with our specialised Welcome to Waikato Week.
Discover your campus, connect with support teams, and get familiar with our systems and spaces through essential presentations, information sessions, and fun social activities.
We’ll help you feel confident and ready for an amazing university experience.
Check the schedule often as it may change. You'll be able to see if the event is required, or recommended:
- Required: all students should attend
- Recommended: attendance optional, but we recommend it!
Looking for the Hamilton campus schedule?
Tauranga schedule
Tuesday 18 February
| Time | Event | Location | Details |
| 9am | Kaumātua welcome |
The Hub (Level 1) |
Required for all students. Nau mai, haere mai. Your University of Waikato journey starts here! |
| 9.15–10.30am | Pōwhiri: New student welcome and morning tea |
Ātea (courtyard) If wet, Lecture Theatre (2.03) Flow-over Te Manawaroa (1.07) |
Required for all students. Please bring a water bottle – filtered stations available on campus. Watch this Guide to Unitec's Powhiri to learn more about the Māori welcome ceremony on YouTube. |
| 10.30–11.15am | Student Services | Lecture Theatre (2.03) Flow-over Te Manawaroa (1.07) | Required for all students. Learn essential systems, support services, and campus facilities to prepare for successful university study. |
| 11.15–12pm | Introduction to Moodle, and Academic and Library Support | Lecture Theatre (2.03) Flow-over Te Manawaroa (1.07) | Required for all students. Learn to use Moodle for course materials, manage your time effectively, understand academic integrity, and access Library resources and academic support. |
| 12–12.30pm | Lunch | Ātea (courtyard) | Available for all students. Join us for kai! |
| 12.30–1.30pm |
Science and Engineering Lab Health and Safety |
3.06 | Required for Science and Engineering undergraduate students. Learn lab safety protocols and requirements for first-year Science and Engineering students, including Week 1 lab preparation. |
| 12.30–1.30pm |
Bachelor of Sport & Human Performance (includes Toi Ohomai students) |
2.08 | Required for Sport & Human Performance students undergraduate students. Meet your lecturers and learn about studying at both Waikato Tauranga and Toi Ohomai Windermere campuses. |
| 12.30–1.30pm |
Diploma and Bachelor of Laws |
2.13 | Required for Law undergraduate students. Learn essential skills for Law papers: Legal Method techniques, essay writing, problem solving, and exam preparation for levels 100-300. |
| 12.30–1.30pm |
Bachelor of Teaching |
3.05 | Required for Teaching undergraduate students. Meet your lecturers, get an overview of the programme and hear about your school placement. |
| 12.30–1.30pm |
Te Tohu Paetahi |
2.03 |
Required for Te Tohu Paetahi students. E ngā maunga whakahī o te motu, Nau mai ki tēnei o ngā kāinga mō te reo Māori.Ki konei mātou, te kāhui kaimahi o te Tohu Paetahi e tū atu ai ki te whakatau i ngā tauira hou. Ka kōrerohia te āhua o te huarahi kei mua i a tātou me ngā mōhiohio hei āwhina i ngā tauira e pai ai te takahi i tēnei o ngā huarahi. This is an opportunity to hear from Te Tohu Paetahi staff and teachers who will welcome you into the programme. You can expect to hear a brief overview of the programme as well as other important information to help you begin your journey with us. We strongly encourage all enrolled students and interested whānau to attend this session. Mauri ora! |
| 12.30–1.30pm | Cultural Narrative* | Level 1, Poutokomanawa |
Recommended for those who don't have a programme session. The Tauranga Campus was designed with history, heritage and cultural identity carefully integrated into the design. Come along to this tour to unlock the stories told in the carvings and artworks of the campus. Nau mai haere mai |
| 1.30–3.15pm | Māori Ki Waikato Tauranga | Te Manawaroa (1.07) |
Required for all students. Tūtira mai ngā iwi! E ngā iwi, kia tapatahi, kia kotahi rā ki Te Toka a Tirikawa me Te Kāhui Pīrere! Come along to this session and find out what it means to be part of a Māori community on campus.
|
| 2.15–1.30pm | Cultural Narrative* | Level 1, Poutokomanawa |
Recommended for those who missed out on earlier tour. The Tauranga Campus was designed with history, heritage and cultural identity carefully integrated into the design. Come along to this tour to unlock the stories told in the carvings and artworks of the campus. Nau mai haere mai |
| 1.30–3pm | International students meet and greet | G.03 |
Required for new Tauranga international students. Meet fellow students, connect with support staff, and get key international student information. |
*Multiple times available for this event, you only need to go to one.
Programme Sessions provide specific programme-related information. If there is no session for your programme, we recommend either the Cultural Narrative Tour or Campus Clubhouse session instead.
Wednesday 19 February
| Time | Event | Location | Participation | Details |
| 10–11am | Accessibility Students Meet and Greet | G.04 | Meet the Accessibility Services Team! Find out how you can get the support you need to be successful. | |
| 11–12pm | Pacific in Tauranga | G.03 | Kia orāna, mālō e lelei, tālofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu, ni sa bula vinaka, taloha ni, halo olaketa, kia orana, ko na mauri, tālofa, aloha and warm Pacific greetings. Welcome to the University of Waikato! Come join us for our Pacific Orientation. You will get to meet your Pacific team made up of aunties, uncles and cousins who are driven to support your success in our tertiary space. | |
| 12–3.30pm | Top Town | Wharepai Domain |
Meet at the Wharepai Domain at 12pm for registration and a fun day ahead. We'll kick off with pizza for lunch. There's an action-planned afternoon planned, full of exciting challenges. We'll put you into teams, so don't be concerned if you don't yet know anyone. Make sure to bring your water bottle, hat and sunscreen. PS. Dress to get wet. |
Friday 21 February
| Time | Event | Location | Details |
| 9.30am–2.30pm | Beach Day with Lunch | Pāpāmoa Beach |
Meet at campus at 9.30am where buses will transport you to Pāpāmoa Beach, in front of Bluebiyou restaurant on Pāpāmoa Beach Road. We've got a fun day planned — build sandcastles, play games, relax on the beach or have a swim. Meet some of our support staff and share some of the provided lunch. Buses leave the beach at 2pm. Make sure you bring your water bottle, hat, sunscreen and swim wear. |