With the sounding of the pūtātara and the calling of kaikaranga starting promptly at 9.30am at its Ōtaki campus, Te Wānanga o Raukawa will celebrate its 39^th graduation ceremony Te Rā Whakapūmau, this Friday 8 December. The theme this year is Kaitiakitanga.

This year will see approximately 398 graduands from across 35 disciplines at diploma level and above graduate with at least a further 1547 more at certificate level. Between 1,500 - 2000 people are expected to converge on the small town of Ōtaki to celebrate and recognise the achievements of these graduands travelling from all over New Zealand and beyond to take part in what is the biggest celebration of the year for Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Among those graduating are the Biel family, of Tapuika with seven set to walk the stage including a mother, two sons, a daughter plus an aunty and daughter. Three more from the extended family will also be walking the stage this year. The family are graduating from qualifications in Te Reo, Mātauranga Māori, Teaching, Social Work and Environmental Management.

“We are wanting to upskill as a whānau to ensure we have the capability and capacity to look after our whenua, whānau and whakapapa,” says Rāwiri Biel who is graduating from Poutuarongo Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao (Bachelor of Environmental Management) and Poutāhū Te Reo Māori (Postgraduate Diploma in Te Reo Māori).

This year Te Wānanga o Raukawa is pleased to announce the induction of two new Purutanga Mauri. The last time this special occasion occurred was in 2005 when Peter Richardson, Reimana Blackmore, Akuhata Akuhata, Matiu Rei, Whatarangi Winiata and Powhiri Lawton were appointed. The ceremony will take place at graduation followed by the karakia Whakapūmau.

Te Rā Whakapūmau is set to be a memorable one and will be the biggest ceremony to date. For whānau who are unable to attend, the event will be streaming live on the Te Wānanga o Raukawa graduation web page. The day also features a children’s area, branded merchandise and book stall, entertainment from Tui-Eilish Tahere-Katene, fundraising by local Kura plus an interactive promotional expo for anyone wanting to find out about study options in 2024. Visit the graduation web page to learn more.

ENDS

Contact:

Rāwiri Biel, Poutuarongo Kaitaikitanga Pūtaiao and Poutāhū Te Reo Māori Graduand

Ph. 022 0124 692

Marie Waaka, Kaiwhakahaere Te Whare Tūhono, Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Ph. 06 364 9011 xtn 764