Wintec graduation ceremonies celebrate learner success
It’s a wrap! More than 600 proud Wintec graduates were celebrated over two incredible days and four ceremonies at Claudelands GloBox Arena in Kirikiriroa.
After months of meticulous planning and Covid delays, our graduates finally had the opportunity to have their day in the sun and be celebrated for their incredible achievements, dedication and hard mahi.
The ceremonies were all about celebrating learner success | whakanuia ngā ākonga. They began with graduates being called into the event with beautiful karanga by Wintec kaimahi Claudine Waitere and toanga pūoro, followed by a mihi and karakia from Wintec Kāumatua Tame Pokaia.
Left to right: Murray Strong, Te Pūkenga Chair of Council, Claudine Waitere Kaimahi Māori who performed the karanga; Dr Leon de Wet Fourie, Wintec Transitional Executive Lead; Neihana Harihari (Ngati Mahanga-Mootakotako marae), graduating with a New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) in Quantity Surveying; Dr Shelley Wilson, Wintec Executive Dean.
Proceedings were led by Wintec Executive Dean, Dr Shelley Wilson. Our Transitional Executive Lead Dr Leon de Wet Fourie then addressed the ceremony, sharing his five pieces of advice to graduates – to own their actions, listen to understand, be kind, work hard and find inspiration wherever they can.
Then, in a first for the vocational education sector, following Wintec’s transition into Te Pūkenga in June this year, the graduates were presented their qualifications by Te Pūkenga Chair of Council Murray Strong.
As they were presented their qualifications, the graduates were enthusiastically supported by thousands of whānau and loved ones, with applause, cheers and sometimes haka and waiata. Many of the Wintec kaimahi (staff) and kaiako (teaching staff) who helped them get to this day were also there watching proudly and applauding the recent graduates.
The ceremonies were rounded off with speeches from students who had been chosen by their tutors to represent the graduates at their ceremony.
Simone Kokaua (Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science) was the student speaker at the ceremony for Sport Science and Human Performance, Media Arts, Education and Foundation Pathways, Languages and Design Factory NZ.
Wendy O’Leary (Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management) shared her insights with graduates at the Business and Enterprise, and Information Technology ceremony.
The Trades, Engineering and Industrial Design and Applied Science and Primary Industries graduates heard from Anna Thomas (Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil)).
Jeremii Lavasi’I (Bachelor of Nursing) drew some laughs and admiration at the final ceremony for Health and Social Practice.
After waiata and karakia, the graduates left the auditorium to the sounds of the high energy drumming from members of the Hamilton Cook Islands Association, with staff and dignitaries clapping along in acknowledgement of the students’ success.
With the formalities over, graduates enjoyed time with the whānau, friends and loved ones and support over coffee and kai.
If you want to see more about our wonderful graduation ceremonies, check out Wintec’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages for livestreams of the ceremonies, along with many photos and videos with some sage advice for graduates from Leon Fourie and Te Pūkenga Chair of Council Murray Strong.
