aRia
Ben
Filly
George
Jasmine
Seamus
Sophie
Temapara
What Is ‘Kato?
Tēnā koe e te iwi,
Quick yarn from me.
Welcome to ‘Kato 1!
First things first, what the heck is ‘Kato?! Last year, the creative team behind Nexus and the WSU made the decision to take our student magazine fortnightly so Tehana and her team could focus on expanding what we do online. The intention, now Nexus is bi-weekly, is for ‘Kato to be a campus bulletin type of magazine, giving updates from around the uni that we think you should know. Pretty much, there’ll be some WSU stuff, clubs stuff, sports stuff, and other stuff.
This issue, we are focusing on things like O’week and the new Putikitiki space, but from issue 2, we are going to have columns from people in the Halls, accessibility on campus, Māori, Pacific, and LGBTQIA+ Content. Exciting stuff, I know. If you’re really missing your weekly puzzle page and horoscopes, they will be up on Nexusmag.co.nz every Monday.
Both the board and staff have all really enjoyed being out and about with you all over O-week(s?). I hope that over these past few weeks you’ve realised, if you didn’t know already, the WSU is dedicated to helping you guys out. Without students, we wouldn’t have a reason for existing (woah, deep). So, please remember we’ve got your back whenever you need it. Have an issue with the University? Want to start a club? Need someone to check that weird mole on your neck? We’ve got you. Ok, cute pep talk over.
Finally, a special shout out goes to our awesome staff who have been planning all our orientation initiatives to keep you safe and to welcome you back to campus for 2024.
Cheers all and enjoy, Seamus, Ben (WSU Directors) and the talented Nexus design team.
MCSquaredWaikato
Forgetting +C’s? Can’t function correctly? Homework multiplying? Integrate into MC2, a (not so) complex community for additional maths help, complimentary food, radical events, and derivative jokes. Join our expanding set.
MCSA (Management Communication Students Association)
MCSA creates opportunities for public relations, communications, management, leadership and marketing students to head-start their careers through connecting them to industry professionals. MCSA organises trips, social events, workshops, and runs competitions throughout the year. The club is affiliated with PRiNZ, and MCSA students receive a discounted membership and access to PRiNZ events.
(A Few) Of Our
Clubs On Campus
The Waikato Uni Tramping club regularly runs day walks, overnight trips and multi-day trips throughout the year. Join the trips you are interested in on our Facebook page, “Waikato Uni Tramping Club”. Open to all abilities. Women in Law Association
WILA is amazing for its unwavering commitment to advancing women in the legal profession. Through support, networking, and academic excellence, it fosters equal opportunities and empowers women at Te Piringa-Faculty of Law.
Email: wilapresidentwaikato@gmail.com
Māori Ki Waikato
Last week, we reopened Puutikitiki at The Pā, our Māori student space here on our Waikato campus. It was awesome to see our tauira and rōpū Māori attend to tautoko this kaupapa. These taonga will bring new life into our space and could not be given to anyone more deserving. These works include our two pou, with two separate designs on each pou, and the sign out the front of Puutikitiki. Massive mihi to Hamiora for designing these for us; you have created a long-lasting effect on an important space for our tauira.
University of Waikato Hockey Club
The University of Waikato Hockey Club is the one of the larger hockey clubs in the Waikato, boasting a total of eight teams, ranging from premier through to social teams for both men and women. Both tertiary students and community members (non-students) are able to join and play for our championship winning teams.
Email: info@varsityhockey.co.nz
Waikato Unicol AFC
Waikato Unicol AFC is your closest, cheapest, and (IMO) best option for football in Hamilton. Our goal for 2024 is to give every player, at every level an equal opportunity to play, win, and have fun. With 6 men’s teams and 3 women’s teams we offer plenty of options from social and first time football, to the highly competitive NRFL Southern Conference and W-League’s. We have good vibes, a strong community, and a level of football for anyone, so come along and get amongst!
Email: secretary@unicol.org.nz
The University of Waikato Netball Club
Founded in 1987, the University of Waikato Netball Club is the biggest netball club in the Waikato, entering at least six teams into the Hamilton City competition annually. The premier team competes in the Hamilton City Premier competition on Thursday nights, which they won for the 15th consecutive year in 2023.
Sports Clubs
The University of Waikato Basketball Club
Formed in 2016, The University of Waikato Basketball club was established to enhance the basketball opportunities for students. We cater for both competitive and social players and have mens and women's programmes.
Email: uowbbclub@gmail.com
University of Waikato Rugby Club
Founded in 1961, Varsity Rugby has a 60-year tradition of providing the best platform for talented rugby players to reach higher honours and to provide members with team experiences they can cherish for life.
Whether you want to socialise and have fun or play competitively at an elite level, students at the University of Waikato can reach their full potential by playing for UWRC.
Email: dor.uowrugby@icloud.com
The start of the university year at the Tauranga campus has been a real hit! Loads of students have turned up for orientation week, diving into all the cool activities and scoring some sweet giveaways. But, there’s a bit of a downer too –the campus cafe shut down. Yeah, the go-to spot for our much-needed ca eine fix before and after class is no more. Now students like me are left craving their iced latte fix of the day, substituting it instead for the free cans of Red Bull.
Sophie Priddy (Tauranga Director) tauranga@wsu.org.nz
Why did you want to be President?
I’ve thrown my hat in the ring for the Presidency of WSU with a laser-focused mission. Now, I’m not here to change the entire world – I’ll leave that to the superheroes and coffee baristas. My aim? To turbocharge the services we offer to our students. Think of me as their champion, armed with a metaphorical shield and microphone, ready to defend and amplify their voices. I’m here to make sure their needs and views are not just in the mix, but leading the band in our university’s decisionmaking orchestra. After all, a president for the people should really be about the people, right? Especially when those people have term papers due!
Would you rather be chased by 100 duck sized horses or 1 horse sized duck?
I’d choose to be chased by 100 duck-sized horses. Imagine the scene – it would be like a miniature stampede! I’d feel like Gulliver in Lilliput, trying to outpace a herd of tiny equine pursuers. Plus, think about the advantage in agility – I could easily sidestep around such small adversaries. And let’s be honest, the idea of a giant, horse-sized duck waddling after me? That’s the stuff of surreal nightmares – like being in a bizarre, feathery version of “Jurassic Park”! Ducks can be surprisingly assertive at regular size, so a horse-sized one might just be the quacken of all challenges!
What’s your goals within your role this year?
My primary goal this year in my role? Well,
GEORGE LIU
WSU PRESIDENT
STARTED IN 2019
Studying for a PHD in Tourism Management
it’s become so efficient that I start to believe my coffee is just for enjoyment, not survival. On a more serious note, I aim to achieve a level of productivity where my to-do list starts to file a missing person report. Ideally, I’d like to inspire my team so much that they think motivational posters were modeled after us. And, of course, there’s the ultimate dream – to attend a meeting that could have been an email and not yearn for a time machine. High aspirations, I know, but one must aim for the stars – or at least the office plant on the top shelf.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I grow up, I want to be someone like, oh, let’s ponder for a moment, shall we? Perhaps a cross between a superhero and a master chef, with a dash of astronaut thrown in for good measure. You know, the kind of person who can save the world before breakfast, whip up a gourmet meal in zero gravity, and still have time to walk the dog.
Favourite food?
Oh, that’s like asking me to pick a favorite star in the sky! You see, I’m a fully-catered student at the Student Village, where the dining hall is my culinary universe. From the mysterious ‘What’s-in-this-stew’ Tuesdays to the ‘Surprise-it’s-not-pizza-again’ Fridays, every meal is a gastronomic adventure – I just can’t commit to one dish when there’s a whole buffet of possibilities.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
If I could have any superpower, it’s a tough choice between being able to teleport (because who actually enjoys rush hour traffic?) and the power to never need sleep
“Freebie spree: snagging goody bags and free kai, entering every giveaway and not winning any…” Mira
“No cheeky voms in the van driving students home from The Outback Inn™ ” Ben
“Driving the drunk French and American international students to town.” Seamus
“Cooking too many snags at BBQs and goin’ full Glizzy Guzzler™ mode to clear ‘em.” Zac
Favourite O-Week Memory (from some members of the Board)
QR Code to all the Student Support Links
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
Your important relationships and partnerships may go through a turning point this month (blame the moon). Rest and recuperate so you’re energised to deal with it.
TAURUS
You have some big projects coming up, so you rest up while you can- these projects will require a lot of energy, and attention.
GEMINI
This is your month to shine. You’ll find yourself in the face of visibility and recognition, so accept it with a smile on your face!
CANCER
This is the month for you to venture out and learn new things. Whether it’s through education or travel etc., you’ll explore the world out of your comfort zone.
LEO
You’ll find yourself feeling quite nostalgic this month. Your oldest friendships and relationships may go through major changes.
VIRGO
Some of your most important relationships and partnerships will be put in the spotlight, however some may need some serious restructuring of your connection.
W O R D F I N D -
LIBRA
BOARD PUTIKITIKI
GEORGE WSU KATO
CLUBS
VILLAGEGREEN DUNK DONUTS FREESHIT
Work will be busy this month; you’ll find that it’s both rewarding and, at times, demanding as new projects are started.
SCORPIO
You may be in the presence of heartbreak this month, thus it is important that you cultivate joy and prioritise yourself.
SAGITTARIUS
Spending time at home is how you can thrive in March. For a lot of you, you’ll be figuring out where “home” is for you.
CAPRICORN
Your life is facing a full-blown shift this month, so you should find the simple pleasures in your daily life as you navigate this change.
AQUARIUS
It’s important that you take care of yourself this month. Nourish your body, mind, and spirit to ensure a calm and serene March.
PISCES
March will start off quite slow for you, but by the second week, you’ll be drowning in energy. Step back and focus on your overall health.