Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi celebrated the hard work and dedication of its tauira on Friday with another successful graduation.

Over 2000 tohu were conferred across 31 qualifications, with new milestones marked by the first graduating cohorts of the Diploma in Content Creation (Broadcasting), and the Pourewa Tikanga Māori me te Ture: Postgraduate Diploma in Tikanga and Law. Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Levels 5-6) also recorded its largest graduating cohort to date, with 166 graduates.

Chief executive Professor Wiremu Doherty said to have more than 2000 tohu conferred across 31 qualifications was a powerful reflection of the impact the wānanga continued to have.

“Each graduate represents not only personal achievement, but a wider commitment to whānau, hapū and iwi.

“What we are seeing through these graduates is the reaffirmation of tikanga Māori as a living, evolving system of knowledge, reflected in te reo Māori and kaupapa such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Tikanga and Law, which celebrated 16 graduates and welcomed a second cohort this year.”

A pōwhiri for graduates and their whānau was held at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne on Thursday, ahead of the graduation ceremony the following day.

A much anticipated and unique highlight of Awanuiārangi graduation is the traditional “Gown and Town” hīkoi.

This year, alongside whānau and businesses, kura stretching from Matatā to the east coast, lined the streets in celebration, offering exhilarating haka and waiata tautoko. It was a first-time experience for Matatā Primary, and Edgecumbe Primary.

Around 250 graduates attended the ceremony to receive their tohu, joined by whānau who were there to witness and celebrate their achievements.

Honorary doctorates in Māori Development were awarded to Mr Robert Edwards MNZM (Te Whakatōhea) and Mr Charles Tawhiao (Ngāi Te Rangi) in recognition of their lifelong contributions, dedication to their iwi, and the advancement of Māori.

A significant highlight at graduation was the announcement of the establishment of Te Whare Hiranga o Mātauranga Māori – Institute of Mātauranga Māori – a milestone that signals the continued growth and future direction of the wānanga.

Council chairperson Layne Harvey said graduation was the premier event in the Awanuiārangi calendar, representing the culmination of years of commitment by tauira, their whānau, and staff.

“It is a celebration of individual achievement, as well as the collective support of whānau and communities who walk alongside our tauira on their journeys.

“To mark this occasion with the announcement of Te Whare Hiranga o Mātauranga Māori is also significant. It speaks to where we are heading as a wānanga, strengthening and advancing our knowledge systems, while continuing to serve our people.

“Appropriately, the institute will be headed by a professor who will hold an Endowed Chair that is to be established in the name of Tā Hirini Mead.

“What we see in our graduates, and in this milestone, is a shared commitment to ensuring mātauranga Māori continues to thrive for generations to come.”