Your Capital City University
The proposed name, University of Wellington* / Te Herenga Waka, builds on our heritage and equips us for the future. Explicit alignment with Wellington demonstrates the University’s commitment to our city and region, and provides a distinctive identity that cannot be confused with other tertiary institutions worldwide also known as Victoria. Pride in our city Linking with Wellington: emphasises our position as New Zealand’s globally ranked capital city university allows the achievements of the University to build the global reputation of the city, and vice versa creates a common destiny and enduring sense of partnership with Wellington. A world-class university in Wellington is vital for the city and region to flourish. At the same time, a vibrant and successful Wellington that offers an outstanding student experience and is a great place for staff to live is critical to the University’s future. Everyone can be proud of the quality of teaching and research that takes place at Wellington’s university. The University’s reputation must reflect that excellence. A distinctive name that sets it apart is a fundamental first step towards that goal. Building a sustainable future Universities around the world compete for the best students and the best staff. Online courses have heightened this competition as renowned global universities disrupt local markets by offering new methods of delivering teaching. The University’s financial sustainability and long-term viability—let alone its ambition to be one of the great global–civic universities—cannot be assured through domestic student fees and government funding alone. The new name alone will not secure the University’s future, but is a cornerstone uniting a wider programme to advance the University’s international reputation, ensuring that the achievements of its staff, students, and graduates are attributed to University of Wellington. Changing the University’s name will prepare us for the future, distinguishing our university and enabling us to compete effectively with elite global universities worldwide.