New Zealand National Herbarium Network

Herbarium Details: University of Waikato Herbarium (WAIK)

Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton

Telephone: +64 7 838 4372
Fax: +64 7 838 4324

Email: cbeard@waikato.ac.nz

Home pages: University of Waikato
Biological Sciences Department

Location

Ground level, F-Block, Room FG.06B, School of Science and Technology, Hillcrest Road, Hamilton, New Zealand

Background

Foundation

1972

Status

A University established with its own Act of Parliament and funded by the state. The herbarium is staffed and maintained by the Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research (CBER). The Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research was established in 1999 by the Department of Biological Sciences under the School of Science and Technology at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Its aim is to facilitate an integrated approach to research in to biodiversity and ecology, to provide consultancy and advocacy services, and to educate.

Functions

To service requirements for research, teaching and identification of plants for the University, other government and public organisations, and individuals. To serve as a repository for voucher specimens.

Scope of Collections

The collection consists predominantly of native, adventive and cultivated plants found in New Zealand and its offshore islands, and a small collection of bryophytes and lichens from Antarctica. The flora of the Waikato region is well represented, including historical collections of M.C.Gudex and A.C.A.Caldwell. The collections include some type specimens.

There are also a number of collections from the Pacific region, including New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, The Cook Islands and Hawaii.

Selected student herbaria (course requirements for Flora of New Zealand and Flora of the Pacific) are added each year to the teaching and main collections.

Number of Collections

Collections at 2001 total 17702 specimens.

Approximately 80 percent of the specimens are Angiosperms and Gymnosperms, the remainder consisting of Pteridophytes, Bryophytes and Lichens.

Approximately 45 percent of the collection is currently databased.

Computerisation

AKILLES Herbarium Management software from Auckland Museum (AK) in an Advanced Revelation (version 2.1) Database has been used at WAIK since 1993

Ancillary Collections

The collected papers and diaries of M.C. Gudex

Small botanical library relating principally to New Zealand flora

Staff and Research

Curator: Catherine M. Beard

Database: Margaret Auger

Dr C.E.C Gemmill: Biosystematics, population and conservation genetics, and biogeography of endemic Pacific plants, in particular Pittosporum; molecular systematics of Antarctic mosses.

Dr B.D.Clarkson: Vegetation dynamics, autecology of threatened flora, and biosystematics of woody New Zealand flora.

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