University celebrates Kiingitanga resilience

Waikato University is today marking its unique connection with the Kīngitanga and Waikato-Tainui with a range of events and special lectures.

The land on which the university stands was returned to the iwi as part of the Waikato-Tainui treaty settlement, under the mana of the first Māori King, Pootatau Te Wherowhero.

Sarah Jane-Tiakiwai, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori, says this year’s Kīngitanga Day theme is the resilience of people and institutions.

“The kingitanga itself is an institution. It’s really a resilient model of kotahitanga for Māori, over a hundred and sixty years – in spite of you know, ngaa piki me ngaa heke – all of the changes in political and social changes that have occurred,” she says.

Dr Tiakiwai says Kiingitanga Day is the university’s way of both acknowledging and building its relationships with Tainui waka.

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