Ara honours graduates at milestone ceremonies

Nine hundred graduates have marked Ara Institute of Canterbury’s return to independent status, filling Ōtautahi’s Wolfbrook Arena in a day of celebration.

Across two Autumn ceremonies on Friday 13 March, 1800 ākonga (students) were eligible to graduate, with half choosing to cross the stage in front of whānau, friends and staff.

The arena was filled twice over with celebratory song, stirring haka and standing ovations.

These ceremonies were Ara’s first since regaining standalone polytechnic status - a new milestone marked with the level of pride and celebration that never gets old.

This year’s entire cohort included 65 postgraduate awardees, 586 graduates earning bachelor’s degrees or graduate diplomas, and 1123 completing certificates and diplomas at Levels 4, 5 and 6. Their qualifications spanned construction management, cookery, engineering, early childhood education, business, broadcasting and beyond.

In her opening address, Associate Director of Māori Success Tate Tiatia acknowledged the collective effort that had brought the graduates to this moment.

“Achievement doesn’t come easily. It doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes effort and support. Be proud. You can move forward in confidence to navigate new environments and seek out new horizons,” she said.

Among the many moments of tautoko (support), one of the most moving came as the arena fell silent to honour two deaf graduates. Hands shimmered across the stands in New Zealand Sign Language applause as Danielle Elliott and Liberty Francis received their New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing.

Elliott said the sense of community had been the highlight of her study journey. “Having that connection and family environment was the main thing. We had a great class vibe,” she said.

Mother and son graduates Linda Glasgow (Diploma in Business - Leadership & Management strand) and Jack Glasgow (Diploma in Construction - Quantity Surveying) were delighted to be marking the moment together.

"I wasn't going to do graduation but to be able to do it with Jack is really special," Linda said.

Jack, taking the afternoon off from his graduate role with Seipp Construction said it was "great to see mum's achivements rewarded".

Bachelor of Applied Science (Nutrition) graduate Lani Pitcher spoke for ākonga in the morning ceremony. Previously awarded Ara’s Eke Panuku Māori – Transformation Award for creating meaningful, positive change through education, she's returning home to Taranaki to take up a role with Hato Hone St John.

“I came here as a single mother with a one-year-old son and a big dream. I wasn’t just starting study - I was starting over,” she said.

“I’m grateful to Ara for creating a place that welcomes people from all walks of life, where learners can grow, where doors open, and where we are encouraged to bring our full, authentic selves into our study.”

New board chair Hugh Lindo said hosting the first graduation as a standalone organisation under Chief Executive Darren Mitchell was a proud moment. “We’re excited to be working with Darren and his team as we plot Ara’s future in a way that ensures we meet the expectations of learners and the industries they'll join.

“Our team will be doing all it can to provide the best vocational opportunities to our students and give them the tools they need to be successful in a diverse and ever-changing world.”