Day of honours for 1130 Awanuiārangi graduands
Whakatāne-based tertiary provider Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi will celebrate the Graduation of 1130 students this
Friday, May 27.
Although some students will graduate in absentia, many will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates during the
formal Graduation ceremony in Whakatāne, where hundreds of supporters, whānau and friends will join Te Whare Wānanga o
Awanuiārangi Council, staff and community representatives for a full day of celebrations.
Following in the footsteps of the ancestor Toi and his son Awanuiārangi, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is bringing
Graduation proceedings back to the historic site of Te Mānuka Tūtahi marae on Muriwai Drive. The main venue in previous
years was the Whakatāne War Memorial complex.
As part of a full day of formalities, graduands will don academic dress for the now-traditional hīkoi through the heart
of Whakatāne.
Awanuiārangi chief executive Professor Wiremu Doherty said Graduation is a proud occasion for the wānanga, and the
biggest event of its annual calendar.
“This is a great day not only for the graduands and the wānanga but our entire community – a celebration of success and
the milestone achieved by so many this year. This day of honours, surrounded by the foundation landmarks of Mātaatua
iwi, will also be a time for many to reflect on their personal journey and the sometimes challenging path to Graduation
Day.”
Professor Doherty said the graduands – including more than 200 Bachelor and 12 Masters graduands – had worked hard to
attain their qualifications.
“We honour their achievements with pride. Their knowledge and expertise must now be put to work not only for themselves
and their whānau, but also for the good of all our people and of society at large.”
ENDS