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.

Upcoming ceremony dates

The preliminary date for Te Hui Whakapūmau is below. This date will be confirmed in early October. Any travel arrangements made before this time should be flexible.

Friday 8 December

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 8.15am and no later than 8.45am so you can be checked off before to the pōhiri. The pōhiri begins at 9.30am.

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.