In his welcome address, Unitec-MIT executive director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga congratulated the graduands and acknowledged the support they’ve had on their journey at Unitec.

“We honour your achievements and commitment to reach your goals. To your whānau and friends who have supported you along the way. We also salute you.”

Peseta Sam acknowledged also the significance of having Kahurangi in our wharenui, Ngākau Māhaki which recently celebrated its 16th birthday and has been spiritual home for our ākonga.

“Your journey started here with your welcome pōwhiri. It’s appropriate that before you cross that stage (to graduate) – we celebrate with and your whānau your accomplishments, your successes and sheer hard mahi.”

In outlining his vision for the graduates Peseta reflected on a Māori whakatauki:

“Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi.”

‘As the old net withers, a new net goes fishing.’

This proverb signifies renewal, succession, and the passing of responsibility from one generation to the next, and is meant as an encouragement to our graduates to bring their new ideas, knowledge and energy, and take on leadership roles as our older generation steps back.

Peseta also reflected on the success of the Whai Ake scholarship programme which has mentored many Māori ākonga over the past 10 years, and helped to instill our Te Noho Kotahitanga and mātauranga Māori values. It was also a chance to acknowledge the guidance and leadership of the programme under Whaea Jonyne Mariu-Komene.

Guest speaker, Darrio Penetito, Chief Executive of Toi Tangata and 2011 Unitec alumni, stressed the importance of whānaungatanga (relationships), while challenging the graduands to boldly step into the workplaces they were entering. He encouraged them to bring their own identities and authenticity to these spaces.

“Jump into those spaces and be the driver of your kaupapa,” he remarked. “Be comfortable with who you are. Uncomfortable spaces is where you grow.”

The importance of whānau support was a recurring theme throughout the day as graduands shared inspirational stories about how their educational journeys were inspired by family members.

Master of Creative Practice Tonina Ngatai (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa) was teary-eyed explaining the significance of the Māori Women’s Welfare League jacket she was wearing which belonged to her late grandmother who inspired her educational journey.

Bachelor of Social Practice ākonga Tyler Wright (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Maniapoto) follows in the footsteps of her late mother who graduated from Unitec in 2009. Fellow graduate Chelsea Rangi also watched her mother graduate in Ngākau Mahaki in 2018 which inspired her to enrol at Unitec.

International keynote speaker, Monique Bradley (Ngāti Rārua), who received Master of Creative Practice, says she didn’t even acknowledge her Māori heritage when she enrolled at Unitec in 2023.

“I remember being welcomed into this wharenui and connecting with parts of myself that I didn’t know, weeping because of all the feelings I was experiencing,” she remembers. “I know now those feelings are my tīpuna (ancestors) who helped me navigate my pathway to becoming a global speaker.”

Bachelor of Social Practice ākonga Jade Russell (Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu) reflected with pride on being the first in her family to attain a degree.

The day of celebration for family and friends joining our graduands ended with a hangi lunch in the Wharekai put on by MAIA and the Marae team.