Graduation ceremony back after cyclone, Covid delays

EIT Te Pukenga Tairawhiti campus graduating students paraded through the city yesterday on their way to the War Memorial Theatre for the graduation ceremony. A total of 58 ākonga (students) attended, of 68 graduating this year. “They have done the mahi and now it is time for them to reap the rewards,” said campus executive director Tracey Tangihaere. Picture by Paul Rickard

The EIT Tairāwhiti graduation ceremony returned yesterday after delays, first due to Covid-19 early last year, and again because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Graduates paraded through the city from Heipipi Park to the War Memorial Theatre.

Of the 68 ākonga to graduate, 58 attended.

Kieran Hewitson, Te Pūkenga Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 2 | executive director, Region 2, was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance was Te Pūkenga chief digital officer Teresa Pollard and Huia Haeata, Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 2 | executive director, Region 2.

Bachelor of Computing Systems graduates Joshua Vincent Reedy and Niamh Carroll Athy were recognised with special awards.

Joshua won the Cyclone Computer Company Ltd Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems, and Niamh won the Spark Digital Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems.

Ashleigh Marie Harding won the PricewaterhouseCoopers Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Business Studies, Accounting Major.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti executive director Tracey Tangihaere said the ceremony was recognition of the talent coming through the campus.

“We wish to congratulate all ākonga for this achievement during some difficult times. They have done the mahi and now it is time for them to reap the rewards.

“We are proud of the programmes we offer at Tairāwhiti which offers locals a wide range of career pathways to excel in.”