Golden Key International Honour Society
University of Waikato Chapter

The Golden Key International Honour Society is an international non-profit organisation, which is committed to recognising and promoting academic achievement. Membership in the society lasts a lifetime, and includes many benefits to help its members move forward with their academic careers.

The mission of the society is to recognise and encourage scholastic achievement and excellence in all fields of study, to unite with academic staff and administrators in developing and maintaining high standards of education, to provide economic assistance to outstanding members and to promote altruistic conduct through voluntary service.

Benefits from membership in Golden Key include academic recognition, career assistance, scholarships and awards, publications, leadership positions, community service activities and alumni opportunities.

Golden Key was founded in 1977 in Georgia State University, and has since been joined by over 330 collegiate chapters from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the United States of America, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and New Zealand. In 2003 the society celebrated a decade of international development with 30 chapters in the Asia-Pacific region.

The University of Waikato Chapter was founded on 30 October 1999, and has since inducted more than 3,000 members into the society. Membership is extended to the top 15% of undergraduate degree students in the University, and the society forbids discrimination of any kind other than academic merit.

The University of Waikato Chapter’s goals are

• to raise the profile of Golden Key in the community, schools and on campus
• to return benefits to the community
• to maximise the potential of University students.

The Waikato Chapter is involved in many projects, both academic and community service. In 2000, the chapter became involved with the Children of Ex-Soviet Georgia Project and received an award for Best Continuing Chapter Activity at the 2003 Regional Conference in Sydney. Daffodil Day fundraising, tree planting at Hammonds Bush and a Christmas visit to the children’s hospital are regular activities. In 2003 the Chapter rose to Habitat for Humanity’s challenge and built a house on campus in five days, commencing the annual Student Blitz Build. The Chapter held a Careers Fair in 2005 and again in 2006.

Membership into Golden Key can greatly enhance students’ academic careers, and members are well received by many Universities and organisations around the world. More information about the University of Waikato Chapter can be found at http://goldenkey.waikato.ac.nz.