The inner city streets of Whangarei came to a standstill under the midday sun as the city paused to honour Faculty of Education graduates of The University of Auckland in the annual graduation street procession on 14 March 2008. Led by formally robed university staff in true academic tradition, graduands in their black gowns with satin hoods were cheered by family, friends, and bystanders as they made their way to Forum North for the official capping ceremony.
The graduands had successfully completed their studies in the heart of Whangarei at Northland’s only university - the Tai Tokerau Campus of The University of Auckland. Students graduated with degrees in Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Huarahi Maori, Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary, Graduate Diploma Teaching (Secondary), Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood Education, and Bachelor of Social Work.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Dr John Langley, says The University of Auckland is committed to teacher education in the North where there exists a real demand for teachers - especially in remote rural areas, and that the 60 graduates this year will go a long way towards meeting that need.
"We want to see more high-quality teachers in Northland schools, so we are reaching out to make sure they can study as easily as possible. The hope is that if people study in their backyard, then they will work in their backyard," he says.
Guest speaker Dr Pat Hohepa (Te Mahurehure, Ngapuhi, Te Atiawa), a distinguished academic and linguist, retains an enduring interest in education opportunities for the people of the Far North. He commented on the need for higher learning centres in Whangarei, acknowledging the presence of the University as a "centre of learning to link us to the knowledge society in a world of shrinking resources and increasing intercommunication."
In a global society where "knowledge is no longer for the favoured few," the former Maori Language Commissioner urged graduates to share their knowledge, which ideally should include an understanding of Maori language. The willingness to embrace both our official languages shows that we are culturally rich, he said, and is a means to enter a global society that is both multilingual and multicultural.
"When other New Zealanders become more fluent in Maori and accept being global and healthy, then we travel side by side."
"Kei a koutou te t`uranga, kei a m`atou katoa te karikoa - kei a t`atou katoa te mana," he told the graduates. ‘You have the mana of the academic degree or diploma, we share the joy, and we all share the mana of your achievements.’"
