A celebration of all their hard work and achievements, this was a proud moment for the 2018 graduating class.
The ceremony started with a pōhiri (welcome ceremony) and concluded in the Te Toki exhibition space, where the finest pieces of students’ work were displayed.
The commemoration was particularly meaningful for Te Rito (The National Weaving School), which saw its first intake of students graduate. In the past, the chance to learn the art of Māori weaving was only offered under strict conditions; however, today the protocol has somewhat relaxed and tauira have the opportunity to learn and explore the traditional Māori art and craft of weaving.
The graduation ceremony also recognised the 43rd class of graduates from Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa (The National Wood Carving School), which saw its first intake in 1967. Here young Māori from iwi (tribes) throughout New Zealand have been taught the Māori practice of wood carving under expert guidance of renowned master carvers, who were once trainees at the school. Te Takapū o Rotowhio (The National Stone and Bone Carving School) saw its sixth class of graduates.
Congratulations to all of our graduates:
Te Rito | The National Weaving School
Khali Ngāpera Haitana
Para Josephine Riria Matenga
Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa | The National Wood Carving School
Penetehuki Panapa
Hēmi Te Puhi Rangi Rivers Thompson
Daytona Te Awarehe Taputu
Te Takapū o Rotowhio | The National Stone and Bone Carving School
Hikurangi Tikitiki Orangi Mangu
In addition to celebrating our graduating tauira and wishing them well for their future endeavours, NZMACI also welcomed 12 new tauira. We are excited for the second intake of Te Rito, seventh intake of Te Takapū o Rotowhio and 44th intake of Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa.
Welcome to:
Te Rito
Waitangi Marks - Rotorua
Awatea Paterson - Rotorua
Rangitiaria Rika - Rotorua
Lorita Rikiti – Rotorua
Te Takapū o Rotowhio
Houston Pekin - Gisborne
Iwi Le Comte - Rotorua
Tāne Singh-Lagah - Rotorua
Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa
Lloyd Morgan - Rotorua
Isaiah Karaitiana - Rotorua
Sidney Tamati- Rotorua
Troy Harbottle - Huntly
Haimona Seymour – Invercargill
To learn more about the schools, click here: