L-R: Chancellor Sir Anand Satyanand, Bella Takiari-Brame, Rukumoana Schaafhausen, Stephen Knightly and Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley.
From driving innovation in New Zealand’s gaming industry to advancing Māori governance and leadership, the University of Waikato has recognised the contributions of three of its most outstanding alumni.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards were held in The Pā on 19 September as University leaders, alumni, business and civic leaders gathered for a special dinner to celebrate the three award recipients and the University celebrating 60 years since its opening.
Having been founded by the people, for the people, the University of Waikato carries a rich legacy full of remarkable achievements that have shaped us into the institution we are today.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley.
“The work of these three accomplished alumni aligns with the University’s mission to inspire change and produce graduates that lead innovation and create impact for their communities and New Zealand, and we are delighted to celebrate them in our 60th year.”
Stephen Knightly, Rukumoana Schaafhausen (Ngāti Hauā, Waikato) and Bella Takiari-Brame (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui), received their awards at the dinner.
The Distinguished Alumni of the University of Waikato make up an elite group of more than 50 graduates who have made outstanding contributions in their careers or communities.
Stephen Knightly
Stephen is the Chief Operating Officer of gaming company Rocketwerkz and will be acknowledged for his work driving innovation in the New Zealand gaming industry, which now generates over $440 million annually. Stephen has developed games to tackle societal issues including mental health and financial literacy, a reflection of his commitment to ‘gaming for good’.
Holding a Bachelor and Master of Management Studies, Stephen has been a key figure in the industry, including as Chair of the New Zealand Game Developers Association. His work has helped secure government support for the growing sector.
Rukumoana Schaafhausen
A respected governance leader, Rukumoana will be honoured for her extensive work across iwi, business, and government. Rukumoana left school at 15 but went on to graduate from the University’s Te Piringa Faculty of Law with a Bachelor of Laws. Her career highlights include being a long-serving trustee for Waikato-Tainui, Chair of the Office of the Kīngitanga, and a director for major New Zealand entities including Contact Energy, Kiwi Group Capital, and Alvarium NZ Investments.
In 2018, she became the first Māori trustee of the Tindall Foundation. Rukumoana also chairs Miro Limited, a collective of Māori food producers, and is actively involved in projects that support Māori youth and women in business. In 2022, Rukumoana was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the community.
Bella Takiari-Brame
The first in her family to attend university, Bella will be recognised for her leadership in governance and advancing te ao Māori perspectives. Driven by a desire to embrace te ao Māori and the academic world Bella studied for a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Māori Resource Management and Accounting. In 1999 Bella graduated from the University with a Master of Management Studies with Distinction and returned in 2014 to study a Diploma in Māori and Pacific Development.
Bella is Director at Te Ohu Kaimoana and its associate, Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, known as Moana. She is also the Deputy Chair of Te Nehenehenui Trust, guiding the post-settlement transition of her iwi from a $40m entity to a $250m entity over 18 months. She led her iwi through the Covid-19 pandemic, where she set up a mobile vaccination service and coordinated food deliveries for her community. Bella’s governance experience extends to major organisations including ACC and Crown Infrastructure Partners, New Zealand Healthcare Investments Ltd, and Braemar Hospital. She currently chairs The Lines Company.
