March 9th, 2023 – The Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) are calling on the University of Waikato to meet with their representatives, and the student Presidents of rōpu Māori and discuss a solution that benefits everyone. We implore the University of Waikato to restore this year’s April Marae Graduation at Te Kohinga Mārama Marae or find an equitable alternative.

The WSU has been working with university staff to find an acceptable resolution, including starting a consultation process with students. However, what became clear was that students were already upset and looking to take action.

“At the core of this is that the University made a decision that impacted its students, but at no point did it engage with those students, ” said WSU President Lushomo Thebe.

“The University leadership team actually provided a number of reasons from travel and accommodation and how they could honour the principles of a marae graduation at Claudelands, as well as the work that would be required to get Te Kohinga Mārama Marae ready, and we are sympathetic to that, but we also stand with the students who shouldn’t have to defer.”

“We have now received submissions from rōpū and tauira across the country including Te Mana Ākonga, (the National Māori Student Association). We are confident that the University will listen to all this feedback and return to the drawing board to find a more equitable solution.”

“Part of that solution must involve all parties coming together and participating. We feel that the only way we can move forward is a solution that allows for marae graduation, and to achieve that means working together.”

“We are pleased to see that meetings have already been scheduled, but now this needs to lead to a solution all parties can be happy with, and it needs to take place in hui and not newspapers.”

We recognise that this is the perfect storm of events for everyone and that the completion of the Pā was the goal. Still, we also recognise that many students have dreamed of graduating at the marae with whānau and celebrating with waiata since they enrolled. And given a choice, we will always side with the students. We are confident that all parties can reach a solution that benefits everyone.