In his 35 years at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Emeritus Professor Roger Robinson relished both his academic career in the Department of English (later School of English, Film, Theatre, and Media Studies) and competitive running at elite level. He has combined these passions to become a world-leading writer and commentator on running, sharing his time between New York and Wellington with his wife, celebrated women's running pioneer runner Kathrine Switzer.

For the past 16 years, Peter Biggs CNZM and his wife Mary have generously supported students of the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) through the Biggs Family Prize in Poetry.

Tucked away in the bottom of the library building sits a few little rooms that contain Wai-te-ata Press—Te Whare Tā O Wai-te-ata.

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Kelburn campus focuses on one central anchor: The Hub. A modern ‘agora’, it’s a place to meet, eat, and study—but it wasn’t always so attractive.

The name Adam is hugely significant to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and the city of Wellington. The Adam Concert Room, Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery, the Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing, and soon the Adam Auditorium in the newly-refurbished Wellington Town Hall, each has been made possible by these most generous of benefactors—Denis and Verna Adam.

As part of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s 125th anniversary celebrations, we are shining a light on those who have shaped our history. The women of Graduate Women Wellington are an essential part of our Graduation celebrations—but they have also played a crucial role in supporting women to pursue tertiary education throughout our history.

Graduation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has a rich, varied, and sometimes unusual history. As part of the University’s 125th anniversary celebrations, we are looking back at the history of Graduation.

Lotte Weiss was one of the few people who miraculously survived the World War II concentration camps, including Auschwitz. She experienced almost unimaginable horror and suffering, and the seven other members of her family all perished. Lotte died in 2021, aged 97 and her beloved sons John and Gary, both alumni of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, have created the Lotte Weiss Award in Holocaust and Genocide Studies in her honour.

In October, distinguished guests from the realms of law and politics gathered in the Beehive Banquet Hall to honour a great New Zealander—the Right Honourable Sir Geoffrey Palmer was turning 80. A symposium entitled ‘Futures of Democracy, Law and Government’, covered topics that have exercised Sir Geoffrey’s thinking throughout his esteemed career.

Terence O’Brien was the founding director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, a post he held for nearly eight years until his retirement in 2001.