University of Waikato Strategic Partnerships Foster Environmental Awareness and Community Engagement

The University of Waikato's commitment to global partnerships and environmental stewardship is being showcased through two projects supported by the Collaborative Seed Funds established with our strategic partners at Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd in Wales and the University of Newcastle in Australia.

These collaborations focus on community engagement, cultural exchange, and environmental impact, with both projects featuring prominently in the upcoming exhibition Malleable Boundaries: Creative Modes of Practice and Inquiry in the Academy, opening on Thursday 14 November at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.

One of the featured projects is ‘The Waters that Bind Us’, led by Professor Belinda Wheaton from Waikato and Dr Kate Moles from Cardiff University. The interdisciplinary research project explores how water shapes cultural identity, community connections, and wellbeing in New Zealand and Wales. Through a combination of creative writing, artistic expressions, and community workshops, the project seeks to deepen understanding of ‘water citizenship’ – the idea that water is central to both individual and collective identities​​.

Professor Wheaton highlights that “this collaboration has allowed us to explore the deep, emotional connections people have with water, and how these connections shape communities on both sides of the world”. The project has already produced a series of creative outputs, including two poems, Follow Us and The Water Calls, which will be exhibited as part of the Malleable Boundaries exhibition.

Similarly, the collaboration between the University of Waikato and the University of Newcastle has produced ‘Marine Invaders: Saltwater Country’, an educational card game focusing on invasive marine species education and conservation of coastal species culturally significant to New South Wales.

This collaboration builds on the success of Waikato’s ‘Marine Invaders’ game, created by Elizabeth Copeland, and adapts it for Australian audiences, incorporating First Nations knowledge and art. The project, co-led by Copeland and Dr Caelli Brooker from Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute, aims to raise awareness about the threats invasive species pose to marine ecosystems in Australia​​.

Speaking about the collaboration, Elizabeth remarks, “together, we’ve created a resource that not only educates about marine biosecurity but also honours Indigenous knowledge and creativity. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-lasting collaboration.” ‘Marine Invaders: Saltwater Country’ will also exhibit at the University of Newcastle’s Watt Space Gallery from 25 November to 7 December 2024.

These collaboration projects underscore the University of Waikato’s focus on fostering international collaborations that generate real-world impact. By bringing together academics, artists, and community members, these partnerships demonstrate leadership on global challenges such as environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.