New Chief Executive welcomed home at Owairaka | Mt Albert.

Christina, who was previously Executive Head of School, Performing & Screen Arts at Unitec, is now the first Chief Executive for MIT and Unitec following the two Auckland-based providers becoming a single organisation on January 1 this year.  

The pōwhiri was an at times emotional return for Professor Hong who shared the special occasion with her parents and two of her sisters on Tuesday 16 June.  

Professor Hong (second from left) with her family and Pae Arahi Hare Paniora (right).

As an independent, unified organisation, MIT and Unitec represents the largest on campus dual sector provider of applied education and vocational training in Aotearoa – New Zealand.   

Prior to joining the organisation as Chief Executive, Christina served as Deputy Vice President of Education, Strategy & Quality at Central Queensland University. 

Previously, Prof Hong was President of the Technological and Higher Education Institute in Hong Kong, Chief Academic Officer at TAFE Queensland and CEO of the Southbank Institute of Technology. 

In 2022, her work in the field of transnational education was recognised in the conferment of an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire. 

A crowd of more than one hundred kaimahi and a group of current ākonga (students) from her former school attended the welcome. The crowd included some kaimahi who had worked alongside Christina during her time at Unitec. 

In his whaikōrero, Hohepa Renata, Taurahere Marae, spoke about the guidance Professor Hong would offer Te Tāmaki Waka Hourua ‘the Double-Hulled Canoe’, a framework gifted to MIT and Unitec by senior Māori leaders which seeks to honour the values and legacies of both institutions while embracing a shared vision of the future.  

Hare Paniora then welcomed Professor Hong, her parents and two sisters.  

Professor Hong then spoke, emphasising the importance of acknowledging past and the shared destiny of MIT and Unitec.  

“What an honour and a privilege to be returned home. I acknowledge the aroha that I feel today.” 

“I acknowledge the Performing and Screen Arts cohort. Thank you for coming. That is a very special thing.”

Professor Hong addresses her welcome.

“I left here 16 years ago. I want to acknowledge the past and all that has been. I pledge to bring us forward together. 

“I want to acknowledge my Mum and Dad, Bill and Mary. For everything that they’ve given to me and us as a whānau. I am the eldest of six siblings. In terms of generations, we have been on this land for four generations. 

“I want to acknowledge the journey and aroha that will be necessary as we move our Waka Hourua forward. Two into one. Acknowledging the legacies of MIT and Unitec and the multiplicity of people, communities and cultures that it takes, and it has taken, to exist for 50-plus years. We must never ever forget that. 

“Together, we will traverse the up hills and down dales, across the waters to ensure we reach that space that I have come home to help lead. As I’ve said before, I cannot do that alone. This is about collective presence. Collective intelligence. Wisdom and culture. 

“We need to work in partnership with Iwi. And we recognise the past, acknowledge the future and move forward together. Hand in hand with the many cultures that make up New Zealand – Aotearoa.  

“Pacific peoples, people that I come from in terms of Asia – Pacific region. All around the globe, we are a melting pot. We need to acknowledge your own backgrounds and the wisdom the presence that you will bring.  

“I look forward to that journey. I look forward to sharing leadership. I believe in distributed leadership. We are all in this boat together.”

The Performing and Screen Arts ākonga

Attending the pōwhiri was Tui Ah Loo who worked with Professor Hong when they were both Heads of School at Mt Albert Campus.  

Currently CEO of Non-Government Organisation, Te Pā, Ms Ah Loo recalled sitting around a table with Professor Hong and other Heads of Schools.  

“I remember Christina as being this beautiful, gentle, humble person. When I listen to her pledge where she acknowledges the past, but her pledge is to the future, I’m encouraged by that.  

“I’m inspired by her, that she’s a strong wahine, a strong visionary leader. I’m inspired that we’ve got a woman at the helm of Waka Hourua.” 

Professor Hong with her parents Bill and Mary, and her two sisters Linda and Joss.

Following pōwhiri, there was a morning tea in the wharekai. Professor Hong took the time to thank kaimahi for the warm welcome and spent time with her family.   

Professor Christina Hong was welcomed with pōwhiri at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Ōtara Campus on Tuesday 21 April 2026.