Hundreds walk the stage at Wintec’s 2025 graduation ceremonies
Graduating ākonga (students) recently took to the stage at Wintec’s 2025 graduation events.
The celebrations spanned four ceremonies, across two days and acknowledged the academic achievements of graduates from a range of disciplines.
Graduation ceremony celebrating graduates from Wintec’s Centre for Health and Social Practice.
Special awards were also presented to ākonga who had displayed exceptional commitment, dedication, and excellence throughout their learning journey.
In total, approximately 2000 ākonga completed qualifications with Wintec in 2024, including certificates, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications.
Joined by friends, whānau, and Wintec kaimahi (staff), more than 900 graduates attended the ceremonies in person, crossing the stage at GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands, receiving recognition for completing their studies.
Energetic rhythmic beats from the talented Hamilton Cook Islands Association drummers opened each ceremony, and rousing karanga was performed to welcome graduates to their seats.
Wintec kaumātua Tame Pokaia blessed each ceremony, and Wintec Executive Director, Teaching and Learning Shelley Wilson was Master of Ceremonies (MC).
Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead, said the events mark a pivotal moment in graduates' lives.
“To our graduates, this day belongs to you, it is a testament to your hard work, commitment, and hours of study that have brought you to this momentous occasion.
“The acknowledgement you receive here today is a reflection of hours of work you have put in, the perseverance you have displayed when things got tough, and the obstacles you’ve climbed over for the betterment of your future self,” said Warwick.
Warrick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead, addresses graduates
Student speakers who were nominated by their kaiako (tutors) to represent their peers at each ceremony shared powerful and personal reflections and imparted words of wisdom from their unique educational journeys.
The first speaker to address their peers from the School of Media Arts, Centre for Education and Foundation Pathways, and Centre for Languages was Taylor Green. Graduating with a Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts, Taylor acknowledged the diversity of his peers and inspired them to face adversity head-on. “We all come from different journeys, different backgrounds, and different passions, but today we stand together as one community of learners who have reached this shared milestone. “This moment is a culmination of dedication, courage, sacrifice, and hope. Not just ours, but also of those who have walked alongside us to help get to this moment.” Taylor concluded his speech with a well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb). “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei, pursue what is precious and if you must bow, let it be to a lofty mountain. “We all have our own mountains. Some of them we choose, and some we never saw coming. I’ve faced a few of mine, and honestly, there were times I didn’t know if I’d make it through, but step by step I climbed, slowly, quietly, and even clumsily at times, but I moved forward.” |
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Student speaker Taylor Green, representing his peers from the School of Media Arts, Centre for Education and Foundation Pathways, and Centre for LanguagesThomas (Tom) Hill, who received his Diploma in Strategic Management, spoke at the second ceremony, celebrating graduates from the Centres for Business and Enterprise, Information Technology, and Sport Science and Human Performance, as well as Design Factory New Zealand.
 Thomas (Tom) Hill, representing graduates from the Centres for Business and Enterprise, Information Technology, and Sport Science and Human Performance, as well as Design Factory New Zealand. | With more than a decade of experience in the recruitment industry, Tom highlighted the fear and self-doubt he faced when returning to study, as well as the life-changing impact of stepping outside his comfort zone. “Life begins the moment we dare to step outside our comfort zone. “The moment we move beyond our own limitations, we realise how much we truly are capable of achieving. “I know for me, this study has changed my life…I moved on to become the Northern Operations Manager for my company, something that would not have been possible I don’t believe without my time here at Wintec. “I know the foundations built here have already opened many doors for me,” said Tom. He encouraged his classmates to embrace the unknown and keep pushing their limits. “I feel empowered now to stretch my comfort zone even further and to push new boundaries, both personally and professionally.” |
New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Level 3) graduate Nicola (Nicky) Randell delivered an inspiring speech at the third ceremony for graduates from the Centres for Trades, Engineering and Industrial Design, and Applied Science and Primary Industries. Cheered on by the audience, Nicky briefly shared her experience of navigating the kitchen with a visual impairment, a challenge she met with courage, adaptability, and a healthy dose of humour. “With my sense of humour, blind jokes became the language of the kitchen.” To assist her in the kitchen, Nicky enlisted the help of a set of talking scales. She commented on how she jokingly explained to a Wintec kaimahi that she didn’t know how to change the voice settings to Michael Jackson. “To the graduates, don’t give up on your dreams, as every baby step does make a difference. If I can do it, anybody can do it.” Nicky overcame her disability to achieve her New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Level 3). |  Nicola (Nicky) Randell spoke on behalf of students from the Centres for Trades, Engineering and Industrial Design, and Applied Science and Primary Industries. |
Rawinia Edwards, Bachelor of Midwifery graduate and student speaker for the final ceremony, celebrating graduates from the Centre for Health and Social Practice, drew inspiration for her speech from an unlikely source, one of her favourite Disney films, Tangled.
 Student speaker Rawinia Edwards celebrating graduates from the Centre for Health and Social Practice. | She described how the film’s main character has dreams which require her to leave the comfort of her tower and place trust in someone she barely knows to help guide her through the challenges the world brings. “Like Rapunzel, each of us had a dream. And it required us to take a leap from our tower and move towards our goals.” Rawinia highlighted the similarities between the Disney fairytale and her own academic journey. “I’ve wanted to be a midwife since my early 20s. Life took me in different directions, as it does, but at 36 years old, the pieces fell into place, and I finally applied. It was a big change. But here I am, like all of you, because we acted on our dreams. “We had to trust others along the way, our teachers, advisers, preceptors, people who walked ahead of us so they could reach back to guide us. None of us arrived here alone. “Rapunzel was told over and over again, 'You can’t do it, it’s too hard', and sometimes we too have experienced self-doubt, but step by step, day by day, we showed up, we pushed forward, and we overcame. |
“Now, we might not have glowing hair that heals the sick, but we are healers. We are not all the same, but one thing we have in common: we have all chosen vocations that require us to be of service to others. Careers where we give of ourselves to improve the health and wellbeing of whānau. Where we have the power to make a difference, and that’s pretty darn magical if you ask me.”
Rawinia concluded her speech by congratulating her fellow ākonga.
Te Wai Collins, Wintec Pouārahi Māori | Executive Director Māori, closed out each ceremony by inviting graduates to rise and turn to acknowledge their kaitautoko (supporters) who had supported them on their learning journeys.
As graduates stood to leave each ceremony, the crowd erupted with joyful applause as music bellowed and fireworks lit up the stage.
To view photos from the ceremonies, head to our Facebook page: Wintec Facebook
