Kaitoko | Research Student Advisor Support

Kaitoko support - how it works:

Researcher development check-ins         

To help you thrive throughout your degree, we invite you to a dedicated check‑in every 12 months. These conversations are designed to support your growth as both a researcher and a future professional. 

First Year: Building Your Foundation

In your first year, we’ll focus on the skills you want to build for successful research and introduce you to the Researcher Development Framework to help guide your growth.

After Confirmation: Tailored Guidance for Your Goals

Once you pass confirmation, your check‑ins become more tailored. We’ll work with you to align your skill development with your career goals so that, by the end of your degree, you’ve not only completed a thesis but also gained valuable transferable skills for your chosen career path. 

As You Approach Submission: Preparing for What’s Next

As you approach thesis submission, we’ll check in to ensure you’re on track and feel confident you’ve achieved the skill development you aimed for—setting you up for a strong transition into your next steps.

Student-led appointments

Your first point of call is always your supervisory team. But you are very welcome to book an appointment with a kaitoko at any point in your research journey if you would like advice regarding milestones, policies and processes or any situation that you feel is impeding your progress (please note kaitoko cannot provide advice in relation to your research).  

Research master's students are also welcome to book in for an appointment should they have questions in relation to the thesis component of their degree. 

If you are a prospective student, please note that kaitoko are unable to assist with admissions-related queries. For support, we recommend visiting the Become a Research Student page for information instead. 

When making a student-led appointment, please provide some brief information regarding the topics you would like to discuss as this will help kaitoko to prepare for your appointment (this information will only be visible to our kaitoko).

Make an appointment

Please click here to make a 30 minute appointment with one of the kaitoko. Alternatively, click on one of the kaitoko below to make an appointment. 

Sharing information

There may be occasions when we need to discuss your circumstances with others, this may involve sharing relevant information with staff within Te Kura Tāura |UC Graduate School and the wider university. We do this to ensure accurate advice and appropriate support is provided and will let you know before we do so. When sharing your information, we are mindful of only sharing necessary information with the right person(s) who need to understand your situation.

Looking after your personal information

On occasion, students may share more personal information. In such cases, we record relevant information in a summarised note format to protect your privacy.

Reporting concerns

In situations involving safety concerns, where there are significant concerns related to risk (self or others) in line with the Pastoral Care Code we are required to share information to help keep you or others safe.

Need more information?

If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality, please discuss these with your Kaitoko | Research Student Advisor at the start of your appointment.