April 12, 2021
Today we decided to go for a stroll through our alma mater, The University of Auckland, where Mal did his BA and Law degrees and Lauren did her MA. We were joined by our friends Judi and Arlette who were both at university with us back in the eighties. In fact, Arlette still works at the university, so she was able to give us the latest varsity news.
It is a public university, situated in the center of the city and has about 40,000 students. It has doubled in size since we attended. Back then most of the students were pakeha (white) but now the majority are Asian, as the University markets itself to foreign, primarily Chinese, students who pay much higher tuition fees than the locals.
Next to the campus is Albert Park, where we spent many an enjoyable hour lazing in the sun between classes. The park has a beautiful fountain, lovely flower gardens, some very old trees, and a statue of Queen Victoria looking rather stern. It’s almost as though she is judging the poor work habits of the lazy students relaxing in the park.
The iconic symbol of the University is its clock tower, inspired by the famous Tom Tower of Christ Church college in Oxford. It was built in the 1920s to mark the success of a campaign to keep the university in the central city.
The inside of the tower is also very beautiful.
Unlike Washington DC, there are very few tree lined streets in Auckland. One exception is Alfred Street which runs through the campus.
On Alfred Street is the main library where we did most of our studying. At the time the law school occupied the top three floors of the Library building. Mal remembers the lecture theaters offered amazing views of the city and the harbor beyond. Strangely, he can’t remember too much about the content of the lectures.
Across Alfred Street from the library is an old house that is now the student support center. But back in the day it was the economics department where Mal’s father, who was a professor at the university, had his office.
Next to the center is the quad and atrium where students hang out when they are not in class or in the park.
One building that wasn’t there during our time is the impressive business school. It is another building worked on by our architect cousin, Neil. Completed in 2007, it has won numerous architecture awards.
After lunch in the business school cafe, we continued our walk around the campus. Here are some of the sites we caught along the way.
We liked this intimidating bronze statue by Michael Parekowhai, entitled Kapa Haka.
On the campus grounds is Old Government House. Completed in 1856, it was the residence of the Governor of New Zealand until the capital was moved to Wellington in 1865. For the next century it was the residence of Auckland’s Viceregal. British royalty have stayed there on six occasions and the present Queen broadcast her Christmas speech to the Commonwealth from the building in 1953. Since being transferred to the University in 1969 it has served as a Staff Common Room Club. It was a favorite place for Mal’s father to entertain guests. Among other events, we can remember a pleasant lunch spent there after Mal was admitted to the Bar.
Speaking of the Bar, the current law school occupies a building that once served as the court where Mal was sworn in to the Bar.
Mal and Lauren 