Nearly 2000 graduates celebrate in Unitec’s 50th year
Auckland’s Aotea Centre became a stage of pride and celebration this week as Unitec Graduation 2026 honoured nearly 2,000 graduates, with 1,443 crossing the stage over five ceremonies on 31 March and 1 April.
The ceremonies kicked off on Tuesday morning with a procession from Albert Park, down Queen Street and ending at Aotea Square. The beating of Pacific Island drums preceded the graduates as their loved ones and onlookers lined the streets to cheer them on and take photos.
More than 5,000 guests, families, and friends watched their loved ones in the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre reflecting not only the scale of the occasion but the vital role of whānau support in student success.
At the heart of the ceremonies was a clear message: academic excellence is not achieved alone. It is built through the collective effort of whānau (families), kaimahi (staff) and our communities in the way we manaaki (nurture) our learners.
Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga told graduates their achievements represent both personal determination and a bold investment in their futures.
“Today is a celebration of your achievements. We reflect on the brave decision that you made to invest in your future. And that decision has brought you here to this special moment,” Peseta says.
“You are stepping into a world that needs exactly what you bring—a world that needs practical problem solvers and doers.”
This year’s ceremonies carry added weight, marking Unitec’s 50th anniversary—five decades since its beginnings as Carrington Technical Institute. The milestone highlights the institution’s long-standing role in shaping a skilled workforce and strengthening communities across Auckland.
MIT and Unitec Council Member Ward Kamo emphasised the responsibility the institution holds in preparing graduates for real-world impact.
“The trust that you have placed in us to train you to make a significant contribution in your chosen field is complete, and we never take this lightly,” Mr Kamo says.
“Our staff are focused on ensuring the skills you gain are the ones employers are looking for—skills that transform lives and unlock the true potential of our region.”
The 2026 cohort also represents a new chapter, as Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec now operate as a single provider—the largest on-campus vocational education provider in the country, with 1,300 staff supporting 20,000 students across six campuses.
Unitec Student Council president, Tiffany Nguyen adds: “As Unitec marks 50 years, it’s a moment to look back on everything that’s been built, but even more importantly, to look forward. Because the next 50 years? That story will be written by graduates like you.”
Among the graduates were 14 kaimahi ‘staff’, demonstrating a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth. One of them, Pacific Success Navigator Lupeti Fihaki, completed a Master of Applied Business while working full-time—an achievement shaped by resilience, sacrifice and family motivation.
“I’m glad to finish because it wasn’t easy juggling full-time work and completing the programme on time,” Lupeti says.
“The feeling is bittersweet… my parents both passed away. This was for them originally.”
Fihaki credited both family and future aspirations as driving forces behind his journey.
“My wife and I planned to get our PhDs by alternating so one of us could hold a steady job. Since I finished, she has now started her journey.”
His story reflects a broader theme echoed throughout the ceremonies: education as a pathway not just to opportunity, but to legacy.
That sentiment was powerfully reinforced by guest speaker for Tuesday morning’s opening ceremony for the School of Applied Business, Deepika Manglani, whose emotional address captured the transformative role of pastoral care and belonging in student success.
“I came to New Zealand simply to heal after my mother passed. I was not chasing a qualification—I was just trying to survive,” Deepika says.
“After attending an Open Day, I fell in love with Unitec instantly, especially the people. I knew this was my place.”
Behind the scenes, the scale of the event reflected the same spirit of collaboration that supports students throughout their studies. Organising graduation is a huge logistical task involving 27 external suppliers and coordination across nearly every part of Unitec—from academic teams to student support services.
Student Event and Communications Manager Ruth Marsters says the preparation begins at least six months in advance.
“It really is the whole of Unitec—Academic Registry, Schools, Facilities, Student Support, Marae, HR, Communications, Marketing… the list goes on.”
In total, 291 staff registered to attend ceremonies, with 68 volunteering their time to ensure the events ran smoothly—an embodiment of the institution’s commitment to its learners.
As each graduate crossed the stage, the applause carried more than celebration—it reflected years of perseverance, the strength of support networks, and the collective belief in education as a force for change.
Unitec Graduation was a powerful reminder of what happens when academic excellence meets community, care and opportunity—creating graduates ready to make a lasting difference across our region and beyond.
Unitec Graduation by the numbers:
Total graduates – 1995
Total graduates attending – 1443
Kaimahi (Staff) graduating – 14
Guests attending – 5032
Staff attending – 291
Staff volunteers – 68
Tue 31 March – Ceremony One (Applied Business) – 335 graduates
Tue 31 March – Ceremony Two (Bridging Education, Environmental and Animal Sciences) – 275 graduates
Tue 31 March – Ceremony Three (Community Studies, Healthcare and Social Practice) – 240 graduates
Wed 1 April – Ceremony Four (Architecture, Creative Industries, Computing, Electrical & Applied Technology) – 330 graduates
Wed 1 April – Ceremony Five (Trades & Services, Building & Construction) – 263 graduates
