Hundreds to graduate in Whakatane

FILE

Graduation celebrations for hundreds of graduands of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi will be held for the first time over two days in Whakatane this week.

Hundreds of supporters, whanau and friends are expected to join the Wananga at the traditional Gown and Town hikoi through the centre of town, and the formal capping ceremony tomorrow and Friday.

Graduation is one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the academic calendar for Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and the community.

Awanuiarangi graduation activities have increased in recent years and because of this will be spread over two days for the first time. More than 1300 certificates, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees will be awarded by Awanuiarangi for 2014. Although many students will graduate in absentia, hundreds will travel to Whakatane for the event.

Graduation 2015 will begin tomorrow with a powhiri at 9am at Mataatua, Te Manuka Tutahi, on Muriwai Dr, followed by the presentation of special awards and a series of Honorary Doctorates recognising decades of commitment to Maori development and education.

On Friday, the graduands will parade through Whakatane's main street at 9.30am, accompanied by Awanuiarangi council members, senior executive and academic staff, guest speakers and dignitaries.

The Gown and Town hikoi will be followed by formal graduation proceedings at 10.30am at the War Memorial complex in Short St. More than 1000 people are expected to pack the hall as graduands are capped.

This year's keynote address will be delivered by Robin Hapi (Ngati Kahungunu), chairman of Te Mana Whakahaere at Te Wananga o Raukawa.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Professor Wiremu Doherty (Tuhoe, Ngati Awa) said the graduands had worked hard to attain their qualifications.

"Awanuiarangi takes great pride and pleasure in honouring their achievements. Their knowledge and expertise must now be put to work not only for themselves and their whanau, but also for the good of all our people and of society at large," Professor Doherty said.

"In the years ahead, we will look to them to exercise leadership and to seize every opportunity to work creatively and collaboratively to address the challenges that lie ahead for our communities."