Te Hui Whakapūmau

Find out how to get to Te Hui Whakapūmau ceremonies, read the order of ceremony, and download the graduation programme and waiata.

Te Hui Whakapūmau is an inclusive University graduation ceremony based on tikanga Māori (Māori cultural practices), to be held at The Living Pā for the first time in December 2024.

You can indicate that you want to celebrate your graduation at Te Hui Whakapūmau when you apply to graduate.

Next Te Hui Whakapūmau date

Friday 13 December 2024—9:30 am

The University has decided not to hold Te Hui Whakapūmau in May 2024.

The next Te Hui Whakapūmau is on Friday 13 December 2024 at the new Living Pā, which will be completed in November 2024.

If you want to ensure you attend Te Hui Whakapūmau, you can defer graduation in May and register for a ceremony at the Living Pā in December 2024 or May 2025.

Inviting guests

Seating is general admission, and your whānau and friends do not require guest tickets.

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori will contact you separately to ask for your whānau and guest numbers for catering purposes.

Getting to the venue and parking

Parking around campus is limited and we recommend using public transport or taxis to travel to your ceremony.

Pay and display parks are available in Waiteata Road. It is a ten-minute walk uphill from there to the Living Pā. We suggest you bring your kaumātua to Kelburn Parade (Gate 4) before parking. Allow enough time to get back to the Living Pā by 8.30 am.

Venue access

The Living Pā is wheelchair accessible. Guests that require specific seating arrangements should email tehuiwhakapumau@vuw.ac.nz.

On arrival

Before the graduation ceremony, you'll be sent instructions on where to go when you arrive.

You need to arrive for the ceremony after 8.15 am and no later than 8.45 am so you can be checked off before the pōhiri. The pōhiri begins at 9.30 am.

Wear academic dress

You must wear academic dress to the ceremony, but the wearing of kākahu Māori is also encouraged.

Order of ceremony

  • Pōhiri / Formal welcome
  • Te kupu a te Manukura / Chancellor’s address
  • Te kupu o te rā / Guest speaker
  • Te karanga i ngā tauira / Presentation of graduates to the Chancellor
  • Ngā taonga a Ngāi Tauira / Presentation of gifts to the graduates by Ngāi Tauira
  • Te tuku i ngā tohu / Presentation of commemorative certificates
  • Ngā taonga a MAI ki Pōneke / MAI ki Pōneke PhD gift presentation
  • Ngā taonga a Ngāi Tauira / Presentation of gifts to the graduates by Ngāi Tauira
  • Te kupu a te Tauira / Graduate speaker’s address
  • Karakia whakapūmau / Ritual of affirmation
  • Karanga whakaū / Call of affirmation

The pōhiri and ceremony last approximately two and a half hours. Kai hākari will be served immediately afterwards in the Hub.

Waiata

Kāore Taku Raru is the official waiata of Te Herenga Waka Marae. It will be sung during the pōwhiri onto the marae.

If you are no longer able to come to the ceremony

If you are unable to attend, let us know by 31 March for May ceremonies, or 31 October for December ceremonies. If you let us know by the appropriate date, we can defer your graduation to another ceremony. After that date, we will grant deferrals on a case-by-case basis.

If you don't want to attend another ceremony, it is important that you confirm your postal address in your email so we can send your certificate to you after the ceremonies.

If you are no longer able to attend the May 2024 graduation ceremonies, there will be a form for you to complete.

If you are unwell

If you are unwell, do not attend the event. There will be a form for you to complete, and the Graduation Office will contact you. Let us know within the form if you wish to attend another ceremony instead.

If you do not wish to attend another ceremony, it is important that you confirm your postal address within the form so we can send your certificate to you after the ceremonies.