For immediate release
Plenty to celebrate
Late last week over 700 students graduated from Whitireia New Zealand.
A ceremony took place at 3pm, on Thursday, at Te Rauparaha Arena where degree and diploma students from the Faculty of
Health, Arts and Business graduated from their programmes of study. The ceremony was very much a community event that
saw over 1600 students, invited guests and staff, fill the arena to take part in the graduation celebrations.
The ceremony started with a welcome from Ngāti Toa and a moving display by Whitireia Performing Arts students. Several
people addressed the students and guests, including Hon Roger Sowry ONZM, Combined Council Chair, Hon Hekia Parata,
Minister of Education and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Dr Jane O’Malley, Chief Nurse, Ministry of Health and
David Piper, Graduand of the Diploma in Radio Journalism.
Graduation ceremonies are to celebrate achievement said Roger Sowry. “Our vision is to lead and illuminate through
tertiary education, the students here are, an embodiment to that vision. The education you have received has given you a
solid foundation in which to build your professions” he said.
Dr Jane O’Malley relayed her student journey. “Study teaches you a lot about yourself. It’s an honour to stand here and
celebrate your journey with you. Whitireia is renowned for producing great students and has such a great reputation in
the Health industry” she said.
There were many stand-out students at this graduation ceremony and many worthy of mention. One in particular, is Mary
Kupa who through the desire of wanting to provide appropriate health care to her children, graduated at this ceremony
with a Bachelor of Nursing Pacific. “At times study seemed hard, but I was determined to see it through and achieve my
goal of becoming a health professional” she said. Yesterday’s graduation ceremony is a testament to her determination
and success in reaching this goal.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were treated to one of the 1600 cupcakes that were made to mark the graduation
celebration and to celebrate the success of Whitireia being in the number one position for qualification completion
(student success). This top ranking was achieved ahead of 19 other Institutes of Technology or Polytechnics in New
Zealand and highlighted in the Performance of Tertiary Education Organisations Report released by the Tertiary Education
Commission.
Whitireia is proud of this achievement and proud of all the students who graduated yesterday with their qualification –
they have not only contributed and achieved their own success they have also contributed to the success of this tertiary
institution.
ENDS