Kahurangi celebration honours Māori Excellence, Whānau and Future Leadership

Kahurangi (meaning precious) represents Māori excellence and achievement, symbolised as the cloak of Ranginui (Sky Father) — a mantle of knowledge drawn over Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and their descendants. The metaphor reflects the deep pride and honour bestowed upon our ākonga (students) Māori who have reached this milestone and now celebrate alongside their whānau.

The ceremony began with a powerful haka pōwhiri performed by the Whai Ake scholars, welcoming graduands and their families onto the marae and guided by kaikaranga, Whaea Lynda Toki. Kaihautu Rikona Andrews led proceedings as MC, ensuring a seamless and uplifting event.

Guest speaker and Bachelor of Sport alumnus (2012), Shane Hornby (Ngāti Maru ki Hauraki, Te Ahumua, Ngāti Naunau) shared a personal journey about reconnecting with his cultural identity and language. Drawing on a quote by former U.S. President John Quincy Adams, he highlighted leadership as the ability to inspire others to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.”

Hornby spoke candidly about leaving a “well-paid job” to return to study and reclaim te reo Māori—something his whānau had lost generations earlier.

“I wanted my daughters to grow up with te reo and in a bilingual environment,” Shane says.

“My time in the Whai Ake programme showed me the value and the importance of growing this seed.”

Mr Hornby encouraged the graduands to be intentional in their journeys: “If you want to succeed you must prepare. You must be ready for what is ahead and work accordingly.”

MIT and Unitec Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga acknowledged the dedication behind each graduate’s success and the collective effort of our kaimahi (staff) who support them.

“You made it—the hard graft, the late nights and time away from your whānau and friends—it was worth it,” Peseta says. “You’ve achieved your goals and done us all very proud.”

Mr Lotu-Iiga also reflected on the newly unified direction of MIT and Unitec under the Tāmaki Waka Hourua framework, likening it to the great Pacific voyages of Māori ancestors.

“They brought with them their hopes and dreams for their iwi, hapū and wider community,” Peseta says. “That is what we want for you—to have a safe and prosperous journey, to expand your horizons, and to pursue your aspirations.”

Master of Applied Practice graduate Sailauama Cheryl Atarangi Talamaivao, KSM (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Hamoa, Ngāti Koteana) highlighted the importance of whakawhānaungatanga and reciprocal learning.

“It’s beautiful to see whānau and to feel the sense of ako—what we learn from the students,” she said.

Acknowledging her own learners, Sailauama Cheryl says “That is how we strive and stand in excellence—not through me, but me as your kaiako.”

Bachelor of Social Practice graduand Theresa Murray (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Te Rangi) shared how perseverance carried her through personal hardship, including the loss of close family members.

“At the start of my degree I thought about giving up,” Theresa says. “But my baby sister asked, ‘is it because you want a different career or was it becoming too hard?’ That stuck with me. Too many of us give up when it gets hard—and I wanted to change that.”

For fellow graduand Zyrus Hetaraka (Ngāti Kahungunu), the moment marked a full-circle journey that started eight years ago. The first in his family to earn a degree, he recalled attending lectures with his uncle as a child at our Waitākere campus.

“Some of my lecturers recognised me from back then—I was that kid sitting in the back of the lecture theatre,” Zyrus says. “I guess that gave me the inspiration to be here today.”

Following the ceremony, graduands and their whānau joined with kaimahi in Manaaki for a hangi lunch enjoying the rest of the afternoon.

The Kahurangi Celebration not only recognised academic success, but reinforced the enduring values of whānau, culture, and leadership—guiding graduates as they step forward into their futures.

Māori graduands who were honoured at Kahurangi 2026

School of Community Studies ​

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4)​

Chadleanne Ratu (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto​)

Supported Learning​

New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1)​

Ngahuia Wihongi (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine​)

Brody Harris (Ngāpuhi)

School of Environment and Animal Sciences​

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care – Companion Animals (Level 3)​

Ashanti Wells (Ngāpuhi​)

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School of Business​

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) Leadership & Management ​

Louis Carnachan ​

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School of Architecture​

Bachelor of Architectural Studies​

Sina Lutua (Ngati Tonga​)

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School of Healthcare and Social Practice​

Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice)​

Irene Farnham (Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe​)

Sailauama Cheryl Atarangi Talamaivao, KSM (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngati Hamoa, Ngati Koteana​)

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New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addiction Support) (Level 4)​

Maiarangi Te Rito Te Waiti (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Maniapoto​)

Campbell Hodge (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou​)

Renee Ngamotu (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara​)

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Bachelor of Nursing​

Kelly Bowden (Te Rarawa​)

Anahera Edwards (Raukawa)

Bachelor of Social Practice​

Jon-Teen Davis (Ngāpuhi​)

Renee Dew (Ngāpuhi​)

Te Ao Rangi McAlister-Karepa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe​)

Mikhyla Rissetto (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Muriwhenua​

Tegan Ryder (Ngāpuhi​)

Jasmine Timms (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi​)

Anna Williamson (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Ruanui ​)

Zyrus Hetaraka (Ngāti Kahungunu​)

Theresa Murray (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Te Rangi)

School of Creative Industries​

​Post Graduate Certificate in Creative Practice

Kathryn George (Taranaki​)

​Master of Creative Practice​

Alex Watene (Ngāti Whātua, Te Arawa, Tūhoe)