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Te rā whakapūmau Celebrating our 2026 Graduates
Whakapiripiri mai, whakatatatata mai!
E ngā ākonga, e te iwi whānui, kua whakatūturutia ngā whakaritenga
mō te Rā Whakapūmau mō ngā ākonga o te tau 2026.
Te Rā Whakapūmau is the most anticipated day at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. It is a celebration of you and your achievements in contributing to the expansion of the mātauranga Māori continuum and the survival of our people. It is a time to acknowledge your hard work, determination, persistence, and the unwavering support of your whānau and friends. It is an important step towards achieving your dreams and aspirations. This is your time and we are proud to celebrate it with you! Ki te hoe!
This year we look forward to celebrating with our graduands on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th December 2026 at:
Ngā Purapura, 145 Tasman Road, Ōtaki
Pōwhiri will commence at 9.00am - Ka puta te karanga - 9.00am
Confirmation of graduation day and order for each Whare:
Thursday 3rd December - Day 1:
Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga
Te Whare Whakaakoranga
Te Whare Kōkiri
Friday 4th December - Day 2:
Te Whare Oranga
Te Whare Kōrero
Please find below some important key information that will help you on the day.
*Important note*
Pōwhiri will commence at 9.00am
MAP
Check back soon for our 2026 map.
PROGRAMME
Day 1 Ceremony - Thursday 3rd December
9.00am: Whakaaraara - Pūtātara, Karanga, Haka Pōwhiri (See Pōwhiri assembly area on map)
9.30am: Mihi, Karakia Whakapūmau
9.45am:
Presentation of Awards
-Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga
-Te Whare Whakaakoranga
-Te Whare Kōkiri
At the conclusion of the day 1 ceremony, we invite those graduands and their whānau to join us on the campus side for a celebratory hākari.
Day 2 Ceremony - Friday 4th December
9.00am: Whakaaraara - Pūtātara, Karanga, Haka Pōwhiri (See Pōwhiri assembly area on map)
9.30am: Mihi, Karakia Whakapūmau
9.45am:
Presentation of Awards
-Te Whare Oranga
-Te Whare Kōrero
At the conclusion of the day 2 ceremony, we invite those graduands and their whānau to join us on the campus side for a celebratory hākari.
PŌWHIRI
Following the sounding of the pūtātara, the karanga to begin will start promptly at 9.00am, please gather by the western entrance to Ngā Purapura, on the field closest to the Kura by 8.45am, ushers wearing TwoR branded bucket hats will be there to direct you.
Once graduands and manuhiri are gathered you will be briefed on what to expect as you enter Mauri Tū, please listen carefully. We ask that you move quickly to fill the raised seating. Kaumātua and those less abled will be directed by ushers to suitable seating.
There will be a check in service desk behind the raised seating to leave any coats, large bags or items, and prams. Health and safety requirements require aisles to be kept clear.
Once everyone is inside and the haka pōwhiri is complete, this is followed immediately by the mihimihi and karakia whakapūmau.
After this, please listen for which graduands will be directed to the marshalling area in order of ceremony as per the graduation book and the announcement and acknowledgement of graduands will begin.
Screens located in the marshalling area and outside will display the order of students graduating by academic Whare and then by level of qualification beginning with Tāhuhu (Masters), Poutāhū (Postgraduate diploma), Poutuarongo (Bachelor degree) and Heke (Diploma). This will be announced throughout the day.
If you are graduating please ensure you stay up to date with where proceedings are at throughout the ceremony. An up to date copy of the graduation book will be available on our website. Your ceremony will conclude with hākari to enjoy with your whānau. We encourage all graduates and whānau to stay and enjoy the hākari which is taking place on campus side of the road.
Te Rā Whakapūmau will be livestreamed via our Te Wānanga o Raukawa website and the links shared across our social media platforms.
MAURI TŪ – NGĀ PURAPURA
Haka Tautoko
Whānau are welcome to celebrate the success of graduates through karanga, pao or haka tautoko as the name of the graduate is presented on screen. Please do not perform haka from the raised seating (bleachers) inside Mauri Tū.
Ushers/Marshalls will be able to advise or answer any queries through-out the day.
MOBILE PHONES
Please be respectful of other graduating students and switch your phones to silent or turn off when in Mauri Tū.
PHOTOGRAPHY
There will be both formal and informal photography. Formal photography is taking place in Te Moana o Raukawa.
Ushers will direct you to formal photos after your presentation. We encourage you to make the most of our professional photographer with your manuhiri or classmates on your day. All information will be provided to you once you arrive at the photography location.
Any informal photographs will be uploaded on to our Facebook page following graduation.
FIRST AID
First Aid and first responder services will be available. Be sure to check out the health promotions also!
Please check back soon for our most recent panui regarding graduation.
Graduating is conditional on completing and passing all your papers, returning any library books and resolving any outstanding payments or debts. If you are unsure, please contact your academic Whare Kaikōkiri to make sure you will be graduating.
Stay up to date with graduation news by downloading the Te Wānanga o Raukawa app from your devices app store, check your personal email (or junk folder) and add Te Wānanga o Raukawa as a contact.
Communications are sent via email and text, and certificates sent to postal addresses that we have in our system according to your Te Ara enrolment portal information.
Update your contact and Iwi details via the Te Ara enrolment portal.
Please check back soon to view our 2026 Graduation book.
Please check back soon to view our FAQs.
The term ‘He Purutanga Mauri’ and its use emerged during discussions in the late 1980s and early 1990 about honorary doctorates to recognise significant scholarship and/or contributions to understanding and progress, by certain kuia and koroua of the Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira Confederation. Discussion was initiated by rangatahi as a best attempt to acknowledge kuia and koroua who had passed down their knowledge and expertise. This led to conferral of the title ‘Purutanga Mauri’ in 1990. It recognises contributions to wānanga but also recognition of the special knowledge and expertise held by each of them including their contributions to the rangatiratanga of the Confederation of Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The title ‘He Purutanga Mauri’ is translated as ‘A Keeper of the Spiritual Life Principle’.
In total, 15 kaumātua have been conferred as Purutanga Mauri.
Inducted in 1990: Pateriki Te Rei (1913-1995); Tukawekai Kereama (1919-1995); Rangiamohia Parata (1910-1999); Rongokino Hekenui (1914-1999).
Inducted in 1995: Ngāpukapuka Kereama (1912-2004); Te Whetūmārama o te Ata Kereama (1924-1996); Ruta Rene (1923-1996); Kiripuai Te Aomarere (1916-2007); Ngarongo Iwikatea Nicholson (1939-2017).
Inducted in 2005: Pōwhiri Lawton (1925-2012); Reimana Blackmore (1927-2015); Pita Richardson (1935-2019); Akuhata Akuhata (1935-2018); Whatarangi Winiata, Matiu Rei.
Inducted in 2023: Denise Hapeta and Piripi Walker were inducted during the 2023 graduation ceremony.
The Constitution of Te Wānanga o Raukawa provides for purutanga mauri representation on Te Mana Whakahaere, the wānanga’s governing body. Alongside advice in matters of kawa and tikanga of the three founding iwi, recommendations for appointments, teaching, thesis examination and committee participation, Purutanga Mauri lead graduation ceremonies and are first in line to greet, congratulate and present taonga to graduands. Read more here.
Our practise as kaitiaki
Out of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano: Generation 2000 came the commitment expressed in the following principle:
The marae is our principal home, maintain and respect
This has many implications for the way in which tangata whenua and manuhiri will act on marae. In tikanga Māori, an accepted practice, procedure or protocol is known as a 'kawa'. Each marae or wähi Māori has its own kawa. The maintenance and adherence to the kawa is important to the tangata whenua of that place. To infringe on the kawa of a particular place demeans the home people. The tangata whenua will take steps to reaffirm their kawa. It may lead to a rebuke of the offending party right there and then, or the reaction may be delayed for maximum effect.
All marae seek to uphold kawa and at Te Wānanga o Raukawa we enforce Te Kawa o te Ako. They are the practices, procedures and protocols which protect and maximise the learning and teaching potential of students and staff of Te Wānanga o Raukawa. In particular, it aims to curb activity reducing the capacity to learn and teach.
One dimension of Te Kawa o te Ako, is that those who feel they cannot abstain from using drugs and alcohol should stay away. Those who disregard Te Kawa o te Ako put themselves and their whānau at risk of being challenged by those who feel the need to uphold Te Kawa o te Ako. The timing of the challenge may be selected to achieve maximum impact on the person who has 'broken the kawa'. Read more here.
We remind anyone visiting our campus and sites to remain vigilant in protecting our most vulnerable.
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Please do not come to graduation if you or your manuhiri are unwell or have any cold or flu-like symptoms.
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Health and Safety obligations require everyone to register in or use the online sign in application EVA. QR codes will be located at key entrance points on campus and at the venue, scan this with your mobile phone which will open the EVA website on your mobile phone. Kaimahi will be located at each entry point and will be able to assist you.
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Heke
The taonga for Heke (Undergraduate Diplomas) is a punga (anchor) with a feather attached. The anchor symbolises being secured to the earth so that the waka does not drift with the tides. The feather symbolises the flight of birds. Therefore, although we remain grounded and do not drift off course our minds are free to soar with the birds.
Poutuarongo
The taonga for Poutuarongo (Undergraduate Degrees) is a Patu symbolising courage and the taking up of the various causes and issues of our people.
Poutāhū
The taonga for Poutāhū (Postgraduate Diplomas) is a Pouwhenua, which symbolises the skilled combatant who can wield the two-handed weapon to his or her advantage.
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Tāhuhu
The taonga for Tāhuhu (Postgraduate Degrees) is a Tewhatewha, which symbolises preparedness for chiefly leadership roles. Though it is a weapon it was more commonly used as a means of communicating a leader’s intent and as an accompaniment in oratory.
Please see below the taonga that are gifted to our graduates. Please note, you must be in attendance on the day to receive your taonga.
*Graduands who have already received a taonga for the same level qualification or higher in previous years, will not be offered another taonga. Attaining this level of qualification has already been acknowledged with taonga.
GRADUATION CONTACT INFORMATION
Please see a list below of our Academic contact areas including an email for general information.
Te Whare Kōrero (Te Reo studies, Whare Tapere)
Te Whare Kōkiri (Mātauranga Māori, Puna Maumahara, Toi Whakarākai, Toko Mana, Karanga, Tū Whaikōrero)
Te Whare Oranga (Toiora Whānau, Kawa Oranga, Pūtaiao, Rongoā, Whakapiki Mauri)
Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga (Ahunga Tikanga)
Te Whare Whakaakoranga
Te Whare Aronui (Iwi and Hapū studies)
General Information
