He Puāwaitanga

Graduation

A moment of pride, joy, and transformation.

Te hua o te whakapōtaetanga ki te tauira

What graduation means for our tauira

Graduation is more than a ceremony. For many of our tauira, this is the very first time hearing their name called to receive a tohu (certificate) and being cheered on by whānau. It’s a powerful recognition of every late night, every challenge overcome, and every dream kept alive.

At Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, your graduation is not just about your achievement – it’s also about the whānau, hapū, iwi, and community who walk this journey with you.

Two hands clasp a korowai cloak together

Mō wai te whakapōtaetanga?

Who can graduate?

Any tauira who successfully completes their programme can graduate. He Puāwaitanga are our graduation ceremonies, held from March onwards across the motu to celebrate your achievement.

You’ll be able to graduate when:

You’ve successfully completed your programme requirements
Your results are finalised and confirmed
You don’t have any outstanding fees or library items
You've received an invitation to attend

If you’re unsure, talk with your kaiako or student support advisor. Keep an eye out for your graduation email for more details.

Check my results

Te whakahaeretanga o tō whakapōtaetanga

What to expect at your graduation

He Puāwaitanga are formal occasions, steeped in tikanga Māori, where we honour you and your whānau. What you’ll experience:

Inspiring kōrero from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa leaders and manuhiri
The opportunity to have your photo taken with your kaiako
An area where you can get additional photos with your friends and whānau
The moment your name is called, and you walk across the stage to receive your tohu
Waiata, karakia, and the collective joy of tauira, whānau, and kaimahi celebrating together

This day is about you. It’s about showing your tamariki, mokopuna, and community what’s possible when you believe in yourself.

Please note: Graduations may run over time as whānau celebrate their loved ones. Please allow extra time so you don’t miss these special moments.

Mō te whakapōtaetanga

Graduations | Frequently asked questions

Each ceremony across the country reflects the regions customs and protocols.

How do I register for my up-coming graduation?

Once you’re eligible, you’ll receive an invitation with everything you need to know. You'll need to register to attend a graduation. This helps us prepare seating and kai for all our manuhiri (visitors).

When registering, you’ll be asked to:

Complete the online form
Confirm we have your correct address (this is important even if you're not attending graduation as we'll use this address to post out your tohu (certificate))
Confirm how many of your whānau will attend (limits may apply)
Confirm any dietary requirements

If you don’t register, you won’t be able to take part in the ceremony - but you'll still graduate and we'll send your qualification to you by post.

What do I wear for graduation?

We'd like you to be comfortable, but also recognise the tikanga of the occasion so please dress smartly. In some cases, graduation gowns will be available to use free of charge. We also encourage you to celebrate you – wear taonga, korowai, traditional or cultural attire with pride.

Can I bring guests to my graduation?

Your whānau are an essential part of this celebration.

Each graduate can bring guests (numbers may be limited depending on the venue)
Accessibility support is available, just let us know when you register

Details about how many guests you can bring will be provided in your invitation.

What happens if I can't make it to my graduation? Will I still graduate?

We know life happens, and sometimes you can’t be at the ceremony. Don’t worry, you’ll still graduate.

Your tohu will be officially awarded
We’ll send your tohu to you by post (make sure we have your correct address)
You’ll be welcomed into our Kāpuia whānau (graduate community), whether you’re on stage or celebrating from home

My tohu (graduation certificate) has a different programme name on it. Is this correct?

Can my tohu be sent overseas if I've moved?

Can I get a replacement copy of my tohu if it is damaged?

Do you supply digital copies of tohu?

Why are the programme name and qualification name different?

Some programmes have a name we use for teaching and marketing - this is the programme name.

The qualification name is the official NZQA title that appears on your Record of Learning and your NZQA tohu.

Both names refer to the same study pathway, but the NZQA title must follow the national framework.

Example:

Programme name: Te Ara Reo Māori (He Pī Ka Pao) Levels 1 and 2
Qualification name: New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 1, New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 2

Is my programme approved by NZQA?

Most programmes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa are approved by NZQA. That means we are accredited to deliver programmes that meet national standards.

You can also search the qualification on the NZQA framework to confirm. https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/results.do

What's the difference between Kōnae Ako (Learning Modules) and Unit Standards?

For most of our programmes, instead of unit standards, you’ll complete kōnae ako (learning modules) that have been developed by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to reflect te ao Māori and the needs of our tauira.

These are fully assessed and count towards your qualification
Kōnae ako themselves won’t appear on your NZQA Record of Learning
Your official NZQA Record of Learning will show the qualification name, which may differ from the name of the programme that you have enrolled in

Check out the programme page for more information about the programme and qualification you'll receive.

Why don't my kōnae ako (learning modules) appear on my record of learning?

Will I get a copy of my academic records?

Yes. Your academic record will automatically be generated and sent to you once your programme has been fully closed.

Although your classes may be finished, results are not official until the programme is formally signed off by the Takiwā Academic Committee. This process ensures that all results are accurate, complete, and officially verified before they are released.