Waikato is home to a variety of leading education providers across all educational levels. A growing education and training sector contributes to the diverse range of skills around the region and reflects on the growing number of both domestic and international students that call Waikato home.
Education in the Waikato
The Waikato education sector has something for everyone. The region is home to a range of popular tertiary institutes, from the world-ranked University of Waikato to the Waikato Institute of Technology and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
It has excellent schools at primary, intermediate and secondary school level and a range of options for private training organisations and vocational training.
Waikato education and training providers create career pathways through their close links with employers, most notably - but by no means exclusively - in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Why Waikato?
Waikato is home to top-rated educational institutions at all levels of learning. The region’s tertiary providers offer the highest quality education in a broad spectrum of academic fields, while job and skills training providers are popular hands-on institutions.
On top of its respected education providers, student life in Waikato is excellent. It has all the benefits of a safe, vibrant student city without the hassles of big city living. The student lifestyle in Waikato truly is one to be envied.
The region is a relatively affordable, easy place to live in, and a diverse population makes it attractive for people from many different countries and cultures. It has a buzzing nightlife, a vibrant tourism sector and a whole host of recreational activities that capitalise on the great outdoors.
There are good job opportunities, both in part time work and to support learning. For domestic students coming from outside the region, its central location means home is never far away.
Te Waka and Education
Te Waka plays an influential role in supporting the Waikato education sector. Its Learn Waikato initiative is the first of its kind in the region, providing a free toolkit of marketing resources that showcase Waikato as an exciting study destination for students.
Learn Waikato has a library of assets that education providers can use to appeal to international students, promoting greater cultural diversity and awareness within the region. By assisting marketing activities for a range of institutions, the initiative will provide a valuable economic boost to both providers and the community en masse.
Read Education Sector News
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Chasing Time English: Leading Global EdTech Innovation from the Waikato
For Chasing Time English, they couldn’t imagine a better place to produce their world leading English Language Learning TV drama style series than here in the Waikato. From script to screen to learner, Chasing Time English’s engaging content library is produced by the Waikato company’s long serving in-house team.
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Tech Student Speed Networking Event
In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, the demand for skilled professionals in the tech sector is higher than ever. As one of the fastest growing tech regions in the country, its critical that we are building and retaining tech talent in the Waikato. To support this, Te Waka hosted a high-energy and impactful Tech Student Speed Networking event as part of Techweek 2023.
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Smart Waikato
Young people need education and support to develop connections with employers and transition into careers. What’s at stake? Their chance of advancing to better-paid jobs throughout their career, which will have an impact on their overall wellbeing.
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Case for Change Highlights Waikato Rangatahi Strengths and Opportunities
A major report from the Waikato Wellbeing Project (WWP) shines light on wellbeing for rangatahi (youth aged 15-24) in Hamilton | Kirikiriroa.
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Massive funding boost for Waikato research
From incorporating mātauranga Māori into marine restoration to Xeno Nucleic Acids that could have impacts on cancer research and rock weathering for carbon capture, University of Waikato projects funded in the latest round of MBIE research grants have the potential to change the world.
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Attracting international students back to the Waikato
The new Learn Waikato initiative was welcomed yesterday by local education providers and agents to celebrate the launch of the new website.
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University’s decarbonisation plans get a boost
The University of Waikato is closer to its goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, boosted by new funding announced by Climate Change Minister James Shaw this week as part of the $220 million State Sector Decarbonisation Fund.
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University of Waikato jumps up global university rankings
The University of Waikato is proud to be recognised as number one in New Zealand for research citations in the annual 2023 QS World University Rankings, released this morning. The University has also bucked the national trend and has risen significantly up the rankings to 331 - a rise of 42 places.
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New rankings show Waikato having a real impact
The latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings have confirmed the University of Waikato is delivering on its promise to provide forward thinking, world changing research and education.
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Growth in school leavers, enrolments back to pre lockdown levels
A boost in the number of students gaining University Entrance in 2021 has translated to increased numbers of school leavers heading to the University of Waikato in 2022.
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University of Waikato launches a strategic partnership with Cardiff University in Wales
The University of Waikato has launched a strategic partnership with Cardiff University in Wales, designed to deliver world class collaborative research and opportunities for researchers, staff and students.
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When we roll as a whānau we move as one
When Peter Rameka signed up for pre-trade TIG welding training before completing his Trade Certificate at Waikato Polytechnic 20 years ago, he found it “hard and culturally uncomfortable”. He got through the tough times by listening to his father who said, “just put your head down and make a change later”.
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Waikato Management School Ranked #1 in New Zealand
The University of Waikato Management School has been ranked number one in New Zealand for Business and Economics in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
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Start-up Wānanga 2021 is open for Applications
Do you have a business idea you want to get off the ground? Find out how we can help. Start-up Wānanga is an opportunity to cultivate your skills as an entrepreneur fast. Shape your business or start-up business idea through a series of 10 learning ‘sprints’ and practical exercises over a weekend. On the final day, pitch your business proposal to a panel of judges and a live audience. Start-up Wānanga will be hosted over the weekend of 25-27th November. Ignite you passion as an entrepreneur and be in to win heaps of prizes! Applications close on the 21st of November for more information check out | https://www.ahikomako.nz/events-workshops/start-up-wananga/
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How a chance meeting changed this meat worker's life
When Ilaisa Bale moved from Fiji to Hamilton, New Zealand, a couple of years ago, he didn’t expect to wind up in tertiary education. This November, Bale is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Information Technology from Wintec.
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Pioneering Te Tohu Paetahi Māori language programme celebrates 30 years for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
The University of Waikato’s pioneering total immersion Māori language programme, Te Tohu Paetahi, is celebrating 30 years since its establishment with more than 1600 students supported on their te reo Māori journey.
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Waikato research recognised for international impact in latest world rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released today placed the University of Waikato in the top 401-500 universities worldwide, out of more than 1,500 universities from 93 different countries. The University has moved up a band from being ranked in the 501–600 band, in 2020.
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International students return to Wintec
Dawei Wang has returned to Wintec from China as one of 1,500 international students invited to complete their study in New Zealand after 18 long months of waiting.
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From zero to Xero this Waikato-born virtual assistant and her creators are ready to help millions
On 3 July 2021, a voice-activated accounting service, Tania.ai went live in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, a dream come true for a small Kiwi company and its employees, including Wintec IT graduate, Elysia Wanakore.
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Wintec Health Services now home to two registered nurse prescribers
Wintec Health Services in Hamilton is now home to two nurse prescribers, as nurse Jo Brown has recently become a designated registered nurse prescriber in community health (designated RNPCH).