Waikato University held graduation ceremonies at the Hamilton campus in The Pā and the Tauranga campus last month. Specific ceremonies included Bachelor of Business, Management, and various postgraduate qualifications.
We meet some of the graduates.
Ben Bidois
Ben Bidois, Photo: Alicia O’Connor
After playing every sport he could through primary and high school, Ben Bidois developed an interest in biomechanics and how the human body moves.
It was only natural that he would enrol in a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance when the time came to start at university.
A tour of the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance in Mount Maunganui solidified his decision to choose Waikato initially, but it was the relationships he formed and the different opportunities he was offered within the Division of Health that brought Ben back for a Master of Health, Sport and Human Performance after his bachelor’s was completed.
“My master’s supervisor, Dr Kim Hebert-Losier, was focusing on running within a research project, so I was really interested in working with her on that.”
In addition to his master’s investigating the influence of calf muscle fatigue on how well athletes would respond to ‘super shoes’, Ben also worked as a research assistant on projects looking at stroke rehabilitation and safer falling methods for the elderly. The combination not only opened his eyes to the range of different projects available under the sport umbrella, but has helped to feed into his performance as a national champion middle- and long-distance runner.
I’ve picked up things like structuring training programmes and running in heat and humidity that I can put into practice now.
While juggling competitive sport and postgraduate study can be challenging, he says the benefit of studying in the School of Sport and Human Movement is the encouragement and support you receive for any extra-curricular activities or competitions.
“Staff are really invested in how you’re doing. Communicate with your supervisors and lecturers; even the Head of School is open to finding solutions and setting you up for success.”
Highlights:
- Internships with Cycling New Zealand and Magic Netball
- My first publication was accepted in a Q1 journal
- He is going to Oceania track and field champs in May.
Kate Burnham
Kate Burnham – Junior Consultant at Fonseka PR, Tauranga.
Starting her studies in Hamilton and learning flexibly from Tauranga, Kate Burnham built practical PR skills through real-world projects and a MediaWorks internship. Now a consultant, she’s turning ideas into impactful campaigns.
Starting her university experience at the Hamilton campus, Kate Burnham quickly found her place in a vibrant and supportive community.
Living in the halls in her first year, she built lasting friendships and immersed herself in a student experience she describes as full of energy, opportunity and connection.
Drawn to Waikato for its internationally recognised management school and public relations programme, Kate enrolled in a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Marketing.
The public relations programme at Waikato was the first in Australia and New Zealand to be certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – the gold standard for PR education.
While Kate wasn’t certain of her exact career path at the start, the degree’s flexibility allowed her to explore different areas and discover her strengths. “I loved that communications gave me such a broad skillset,” she says. “It meant I wasn’t limited to just one pathway.”
Beginning her studies in Hamilton, she later embraced the flexibility of the degree, taking some of her papers online and at the Tauranga campus, while travelling back for key tutorials and collaborative sessions.
“That flexibility was a huge advantage,” she says. “I could stay connected to campus while also being based in Tauranga.”
Kate particularly valued the hands-on nature of her studies, working on real-world case studies and solving current industry challenges. “We were developing practical skills in realistic contexts, which made everything feel relevant and engaging,” she says.
She also credits her lecturers for creating a supportive learning environment. “They were incredibly passionate and generous with their knowledge. It made you feel confident to ask questions and really push yourself.”
Through the work-integrated learning paper, Kate secured an internship with MediaWorks, where she gained experience in marketing, promotions and live broadcasting. From working on major campaigns like The Rock 2000 to hearing her voice on air, the experience helped bring her learning to life.
She was also a finalist in the PUBRL305 PR Campaigns Competition, working as part of a team on a real client brief. The experience strengthened her practical skills and helped her secure her first role.
Now working as a PR consultant, Kate is applying her skills in strategic communications, campaign planning and client advisory. “It’s so rewarding to take an idea and see it come to life,” she says.
Her advice to future students: “Put yourself out there, step outside your comfort zone, and enjoy the experience. That’s where the real growth happens.”
Anna O’Leary
Anna O’Leary – Beca, Hamilton – Dame Jocelyn Fish Award
From participating in a hackathon, to presenting at the annual chemical engineers’ conference, engineering graduate Anna O’Leary loves the wide range of learning opportunities that studying at Waikato has offered her.
Bachelor of Engineering graduate Anna O’Leary says there’s one quote that always sticks in her mind when she thinks about her career path.
“I once heard a professional engineer say engineering is like a passport: once you have it, so many doors will open up for you in your career as it is such a diverse degree and you can go anywhere with it.”
Studying at Waikato brought this quote to life, where Anna says the highlight was the many opportunities that arose during her studies.
“A standout was participating in an engineering hackathon and being able to present at the annual Australian and New Zealand chemical engineers’ conference, it was an amazing way to connect with other students and push myself out of my comfort zone.”
Another was the site visits; I found them highly beneficial as I could actually see a real-world application from what I was learning in the classroom.
She adds that the qualification exposed her to various ideas and considerations beyond calculations and theory, such as project management, costing, sustainability, ethics and even culture. Her studies have led to a role at Beca, where she continues to be exposed to a wide range of work.
“I absolutely love it; they are involved in a range of projects with various companies and I’m excited to get involved and keep learning as much as I can.”
Ben Pilmore-Evans
Ben Pilmore-Evans – Hamilton – Te Paewai o te Rangi – The University of Waikato Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Benjamin Pilmore-Evans fast-tracked his degrees at Waikato and landed a law firm job in Tauranga. After a significant health challenge, he’s set to pursue medicine and legislative health reform, with a strong will to give back to his community.
Benjamin Pilmore-Evans is someone who refuses to be defined by limits. He fast-tracked his conjoint degree in Law and Arts and is eager to enrol at the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine on the Hamilton campus. His ambition is to contribute to legislative health reform – a direction shaped by a significant health episode in his third year of study.
“Since then, my health – both mental and physical – has become a major focus for me. I recognise how much health impacts all aspects of life, including the ability to work and perform successfully,” Ben says. “I have long term aspirations to undertake postgraduate study and give back to my community.”
Originally from Matamata, Ben is working at one of the country’s leading law firms in Tauranga. He credits much of his success at Waikato to Professor Alexander Gillespie, his first ever law lecturer who encouraged and inspired his whole cohort from the beginning. Also, Professor Lynda Johnston, Dr Colin McLeay and Senior Tutor Sue Wardill, who provided strong support during his period of poor health to ensure the completion of his studies.
Ben’s decision to enrol at Waikato was made in half a day, following a conversation by a Future Students advisor. “I’ve not looked back since and wouldn’t have done this degree anywhere else. My overall university experience was extremely positive. During a period of my diagnosis and the uncertainty that came with that, to continue studying, I received significant support – I strongly praise the University’s Accessibility team,” he says. “I was surrounded by great people, built strong networks and friendships and received meaningful support. Despite the challenges I faced along the way, I’d choose to repeat my university experience the exact same way.”
Ben encourages students to take up opportunities and try new things they may not have initially considered. “Degree timeframes exist for a reason – take time to enjoy the experience. University is a platform to figure out who you are and where you want to go, make the most out of that opportunity.”
Ben was a recipient of Te Paewai o te Rangi: The University of Waikato Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement. He umpired hockey in his final years at Waikato University and was a finalist for Hockey New Zealand Most Outstanding Young Person of the Year and Waikato Hockey’s Most Outstanding Junior Male Umpire. He was also Head Student at Matamata College, served as a student representative on the school’s Board of Trustees, and received the KiwiSport Community Leadership Award.
Kevan Wong
Kevan Wong
See: Learning never ends
