Students, Whānau and friends gathered from far and wide to Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi indigenous-university, Whakatāne Campus on Friday 08 April to celebrate the graduation ceremony for 2011.
Graduation day began with a pōwhiri and mihimihi at 8:30am. The formal proceedings included a presentation for two significant leaders within Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiārangi, that passed away in December of 2010- Wiremu Karuwha Tawhai and Dr. Mark Ronald Laws. An honourable citation and a taonga was awarded in memory of the great men and accepted by the members of their whānau.
This was followed at 11.00am by the ‘Gown in Town’ hikoi, where graduands and academic staff of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiārangi indigenous-university paraded through Whakatane town centre, in recognition of their academic success.
The main graduation ceremony began at 12.00pm at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. The capping process was highlighted with much waiata, haka and karanga from whanau and friends that had come to celebrate with graduands.
As always, the day was a huge celebration. Congratulations to all those who graduated!