Graduation Hīkoi Draws Crowds to The Strand

This morning graduates from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi walked from Mitchell park to Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae for the graduation ceremony.

Crowds lined The Strand to watch the graduation Hīkoi

Over 2,000 graduates from across Aotearoa, and the United States will graduate from 31 different qualifications. 

The day began with a hīkoi leaving from Mitchell Park, heading along The Strand, before reaching the Marae. 

The streets were lined with bystanders to watch the procession, lead by toa. 

More than 600 children from 20 school Kapa Haka groups across the Eastern Bay performed haka and waiata as graduates passed.

Chief Executive Wiremu Doherty said the schools came "from afar afield is Murupara, all the way through town out through to Ōpōtiki. And that is an absolute highlight for us."

Doherty said seeing the event helps younger students pursue tertiary education.

A school group performs for the graduation hīkoi on The Strand

Students from Edgecumbe school were happy to perform, keeping a keen eye out for their graduating teacher, Whaea Monique. 

"We're feeling great, we're also happy for Whaea Monique," one student said. 

Another said it was sad seeing her walk past because she is starting a new chapter in her life, but all students agreed they were proud and inspired to chase their own dreams. 

Graduates gathered at Mitchell Park, before begining the procession to the Marae

Proud whānau member Dolly Dolly Maniapoto said the hīkoi is a great way for whānau to celebrate the effort from ākonga. 

"It's a good opportunity for a lot of people to have that space for them. There's my nephew and a few otheres in there now, I love it."

"It makes me proud, proud that they've succeeded in what they've been doing."