Partnering for an Intercultural Waikato

By Associate Professor Justine Kingsbury, Head of Te Rākau Kotahi School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy, The University of Waikato.

I am pleased to contribute to the first newsletter of the Waikato Intercultural Fund (WIF). WIF and Te Rākau Kotahi School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy have co-hosted two events in the Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together speaker series, and I hope to continue this collaboration. We have a shared commitment to strengthening social cohesion, deepening intercultural understanding, and supporting communities to navigate the complexities of identity, belonging, and justice.

As a School grounded in critical inquiry, civic engagement, and Te Tiriti‑led practice, we recognise that Universities have a responsibility to create spaces where difficult questions can be explored with honesty, rigour, and compassion. Partnering with WIF – particularly through the Whiria Te Tangata series – enables us to extend this mission beyond the classroom and into the community. The School recognises WIF as a strategic partner in this work, and we are proud to walk alongside this kaupapa.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

The School’s collaboration with WIF is anchored in three shared commitments:

• Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundation for all relationships in Aotearoa

• Strengthening social cohesion through dialogue, education, and community engagement

• Championing interculturalism, where diverse communities learn with and from one another

These commitments align closely with the School’s teaching and research strengths in constitutional law, critical public policy, politics and international relations, human rights, and social justice.

Co‑Hosting Conversations That Matter

To date, the School has partnered with WIF on two major events in the Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together series.

Event One (2024)

Hosted at the University, this event featured Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, who spoke on identity, belonging, and the responsibilities of Te Tiriti partnerships. Her kōrero provided students, staff, and community members with a powerful reminder of Te Tiriti serving as the constitutional and relational foundation of Aotearoa.

Event Three (2025)

Earlier this year, the School co‑hosted a panel discussion featuring Margaret Wilson, Kemi Fayomi, Jumana Fouda, and Molly Āperira Huggan, pictured above. The panel explored the themes of equity, identity, and civic courage – topics that sit at the heart of our academic disciplines. The event brought together students, academics, practitioners, and community leaders in a rich, intergenerational dialogue.

I want to thank all the speakers for their generosity, insight, and leadership. Their contributions have helped shape a deeper, more nuanced public conversation about who we are as a region and who we aspire to become.

The Value of the Partnership

For the School (and the University of Waikato), partnering with the Waikato Intercultural Fund is far more than co‑hosting events – it is a strategic relationship that strengthens our shared commitment to a more connected region. Through Whiria Te Tangata, our students and staff engage directly with leaders and thinkers shaping the national conversation on identity, equity, and belonging. These events enrich learning, deepen our Te Tiriti‑led practice, and anchor our research in the lived realities of our communities.

This partnership also strengthens civic engagement across the Waikato. By bringing academic and community voices together, we help create spaces where diverse perspectives can meet, challenge one another, and build understanding. Recognising WIF as a strategic partner affirms our belief that interculturalism is essential to the region’s future – and that universities have a vital role to play in supporting this work.

Looking Ahead Together

Te Rākau Kotahi School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy looks forward to continuing this partnership with the Waikato Intercultural Fund. Together, we aim to foster courageous conversations, strengthen intercultural understanding, and contribute to a Waikato where every community feels seen, valued, and connected.

We are proud to walk alongside WIF and to play our part in weaving a more inclusive future for our region.