Please find below some important key information that will help you on the day. 

MAP

For the full Te Wānanga o Raukawa campus map, please click here. 

For a more detailed map of Ngā Purapura and the outside field area, please click here.

PARKING

Those arriving the night before:

If you are arriving the night before Te Rā Whakapūmau (Thursday, 11 December) and staying on campus, please park in the main carpark for the pōwhiri at 5:00 PM. After the pōwhiri, move your vehicle to the Whakatū car park. If needed, you may also use the grass area on the north side of Whakatū for additional parking.

Morning Ceremony Parking | 8:00 – 9:00am

Parking will be available at our Te Wānanga o Raukawa main carpark (entry from 41 Te Rauparaha St) and the Ōtaki township in the following areas:

• Behind the Ōtaki Museum, access from Main Street or Rangatira Street
• By the Ōtaki RSA, access from Raukawa Street
• Rangiātea Church access from Te Rauparaha Street
• And on the following streets as directed by kaimahi:

-Te Rauparaha Street

-Hadfield Street

-Rangiuru Street

There will be a kaumātua drop off zone (drive-through only)  located at The Hub Church (157 Tasman Road) with a shuttle that will transport kaumātua directly to the pōwhiri area. Please do not attempt to park here as you will be asked by the kaimahi to move. This drop-off zone will close at 9:30am. Our shuttles will be available throughout the day to assist kaumātua to and from Ngā Purapura so please speak with one of our kaimahi if you require assistance.

Please be patient as there will be traffic and follow the parking signs and directions from Te Wānanga o Raukawa kaimahi who will be wearing orange hi-viz vests and sun hats.

To ensure you have enough time to reach the pōwhiri at Ngā Purapura from your parking spot, please aim to arrive by 8:45 am. The furthest parking areas, Ōtaki RSA and Ōtaki Museum, are approximately a 10–12-minute walk from Te Wānanga o Raukawa to the pōwhiri gathering area. Our kaimahi will be on hand to direct and answer any queries.

Afternoon Ceremony Parking | 11:00am –12:00pm

As per the morning session, there will be parking available at:

• TWOR main carpark
• Ōtaki Museum
• Ōtaki RSA
• Rangiātea Church
• Te Rauparaha Street
• Hadfield Street
• Rangiuru Street

However, as there will still be graduates and whānau from our morning session leaving much of these carparks will be taken. Please keep an eye out for our parking kaimahi who will do our best to direct you to available parking spaces.

PROGRAMME 

Morning ceremony:

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 Kōkiri

-Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga

-Te Whare Kōrero

11.00am: Optional Special Screening - Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - Te Ara a Tāwhaki (TĀ on the map)

At the conclusion of the morning ceremony, we invite those graduates and their whānau to join us on the campus side for a celebratory hākari. At this time, the ceremony will pause for 30 minutes to reset the whare before the afternoon ceremony gets underway. 

Please ensure all graduands  and their whānau are ready at the pōwhiri assembly point. Please stay up to date on the day to check in with how the day is progressing to ensure you are there ready for when the afternoon pōwhiri begins.  

Afternoon Ceremony:

Whakaaraara: Putatara, Karanga

Mihi, Karakia Whakapūmau

Presentation of Awards

-Te Whare Oranga

-Te Whare Whakaakoranga

2.00pm: Optional Special Screening - Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - Te Ara a Tāwhaki (TĀ on the map)

At the conclusion of the afternoon ceremony, we invite those graduates 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 orange 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. 

*The afternoon pōwhiri will follow the same process as the morning pōwhiri. 

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 (No. 3+ 4 on map) 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 day. 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. (Location 19 on the campus map)

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 

Te Puna Hauora o Ōtaki and Raukawa Whānau Ora will be onsite for any medical emergency. They will be our first responders, will provide first aid and free health checks. (See location 13 on map). Be sure to check out their health promotions also!

For our most up to date pānui - please click here.

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 click here to view our FAQs.

*RSVP links are sent out automatically. 

To support us with preparations on the day, graduands will complete a registration to confirm if you will be attending in person or not.  You will be confirming your tohu, attendance and if you require accommodation the night before graduation.  

Additionally, you will be letting us know how many whānau you hope to be bringing and if you are requiring dinner/accomodation (if staying the night before graduation).   

Te Kawa o Te Ako applies to everyone staying at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and local Marae, this forbids the consumption of alcohol, vape, cigarettes and drugs on our campus, marae and outside kura, kōhanga or kōhungahunga.

If circumstances change and you are or are not able to attend in person, please let your academic whare know as soon as possible and complete an updated RSVP form.

RSVP link:

Please note, this link is only for graduating students.

This link will also be emailed to graduating students. 

Please check your personal email address (or junk folder) and remember to ensure your contact details are up to date. These may include legal name changes, postal and email addresses, cellphone number and iwi.

Accommodation will be available on campus and should we need it, at our local marae.  If you are reserving accommodation for the night before graduation day, please remember to bring blankets and personal items and register with Kaitiaki upon arrival.  

Alternatively you can book other accommodation through BookaBach, Airbnb, Ōtaki Motel and Littel Ōtaki. 

A pōwhiri will be held on Thursday 11th December 5pm on the Ōtaki Campus. The pōwhiri will be taking place in Te Ara a Tāwhaki - please gather out the front of Te Ara a Tāwhaki, ready to be welcomed on. 

For anyone arriving the night prior (Thursday 11th December) and staying on campus, please park close to the portacoms and accommodation to free up the main carpark for graduation day.

For those accommodated on campus or at local marae, dinner will be available that evening and breakfast the morning of graduation.

If circumstances change you will need to complete an updated RSVP form and/or advise your academic whare Kaikōkiri as soon as possible.

Please check back soon to view our 2025 Graduation booklet. 

On the day ushers will also be handing out graduation books prior to the commencement of the ceremony. 

E whakanuia ana te kaupapa o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano he moemoeā i takoto mai i te 1975, e kawe tonu nei i te wairua, te mātauranga, me te mana o ō tātou tūpuna.  

Our theme for Te Rā Whakapūmau 2025 is Whakatupuranga Rua Mano. This year we celebrate 50 years since its visionary inception, led by Emeritus Professor Whatarangi Winiata and the Raukawa Marae Trustees in 1975, this laid the foundation through which Te Wānanga o Raukawa was conceived. 

We honour and acknowledge the bold and courageous vision of our leaders, and we reconfirm the enduring relevance of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano and its founding principles that continue to guide and inspire us today.

In recognition of our 2025 theme - Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - we are holding 2x special screenings - 25 minutes in length. 

These screenings are taking place in Te Ara a Tāwhaki 1 on graduation day at 11am and 2pm.

We welcome you and your whānau to find the time during the day to attend one of these special screenings. 

He taonga - a screening not to be missed! 

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. 

• Please do not come to graduation if you or your manuhiri are unwell or have any cold or flu-like symptoms. 
• Health and Safety obligations require everyone to register in or use the online sign in application Timecloud. 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 Timecloud website on your mobile phone. Kaimahi will be located at each entry point and will be able to assist you. 

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)

• tewharekorero@twor.ac.nz

Te Whare Kōkiri (Mātauranga Māori, Puna Maumahara, Toi Whakarākai, Toko Mana, Karanga, Tū Whaikōrero)

• tewharekokiri@twor.ac.nz

Te Whare Oranga (Toiora Whānau, Kawa Oranga, Pūtaiao, Rongoā, Whakapiki Mauri)

• tewhareoranga@twor.ac.nz 

Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga (Ahunga Tikanga)

• ahungatikanga@twor.ac.nz 

Te Whare Whakaakoranga

• kelsi.mcarley@twor.ac.nz

Te Whare Aronui (Iwi and Hapū studies)

• iwiandhapustudies@twor.ac.nz

General Information

• marketing@twor.ac.nz

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.