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), currently held in the Hub at Kelburn Campus.
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 8 December - 9:30am
The ceremony is usually held on the Friday of graduation week and begins at 9.30am with a pōhiri.
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 Hub. We suggest you bring your kaumātua to Kelburn Parade (Gate 4) before parking. Allow enough time to get back to the Hub by 8.30 am.
Venue access
The Hub 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 dom'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 December 2023 graduation ceremonies, let us know by completing this form.
If you are unwell
If you are unwell, do not attend the event. Contact the Graduation Office by email to let us know that you won’t be coming. Let us know 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 in your email so we can send your certificate to you after the ceremonies.
If you are unwell, let us know by completing this form and the Graduation Office will contact you.