Friday 04 September 2026, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

The University of Waikato's professional development sessions offer New Zealand educators a regular opportunity to engage with one of the country's leading teacher education institutions through accessible weekly online sessions. Running on Fridays from 1:00pm to 2:00pm throughout September 2026, these compact one-hour sessions are designed to fit within a teacher's busy schedule while providing meaningful engagement with current educational research and practice. The University of Waikato's Faculty of Education has a long-standing reputation for excellence in teacher preparation and educational research, with particular strengths in bicultural education, Te Reo Māori medium teaching, and inquiry-based learning approaches that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand's unique educational context. These PD sessions serve multiple purposes—they keep practising teachers connected to emerging research, provide pathways into postgraduate study for those considering further qualifications, and build a community of reflective practitioners committed to continuous improvement. The university's teacher professional development programmes can be completed in as little as nine weeks and offer flexible options ranging from standalone short courses to pathways that credit toward Bachelor of Teaching or postgraduate qualifications. Whether you're a beginning teacher looking to strengthen your practice, a teacher aide exploring formal qualification pathways, or an experienced educator seeking fresh perspectives grounded in New Zealand educational research, these sessions provide an accessible entry point.