Pathways to purpose celebrated at MIT Certificate Graduation ceremony

27/03/25

More than three hundred graduates, along with a thousand whānau and friends attended MIT Certificate Graduation ceremonies over three nights last week

For Rahera Walker, graduating with Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry and Construction was not without its challenges.

Losing her mother just two months after being accepted into the programme left her feeling anxious about whether she could complete the qualification.

But the support of her tutors, classmates, partner and opportunities to connect with her culture helped the 37-year-old Māori Pasifika Trades Training scholarship recipient push through—and achieve success.

Last week, Rahera was one of three hundred graduates who gathered at MIT Manukau to celebrate their achievements with more than a thousand whānau and friends also attending across three evenings, turning out in full force to support their loved ones who were graduating from our three campuses and New Zealand Maritime School.

“When I first began (the programme), I was a little bit anxious,” Ms Walker says. “I remember sitting in the car park and thinking, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know if I’m really going to do this.’”

Rahera Walker carried a picture of her late mother Serena Josephine Walker at her graduation ceremony

Drawing strength from memories of her mother, Serena Josephine Walker —who raised four daughters and was also a marae secretary treasurer—Rahera found the courage to stand tall. At her pōwhiri, she led a karanga for the first time in fifteen years, honouring her mother’s legacy by being “unapologetically herself.”

“I wasn’t planning on doing it. It only happened because I recall we were standing at the doorway. Me myself being Māori, I know when the kuia karanga us through the door you’re meant to walk through. At one point everyone was paused and hesitant to walk in. I thought maybe this is my opportunity to do what I’m meant to do. Once I got over that fear and anxiety everything else flowed after that,” she says.

Recognising the different paths graduates have taken to reach the stage, Region 1 Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga led a heartfelt tribute to the communities behind their success.

“We know it’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, but you’ve done it—and you haven’t done it alone,” he told the audience at ceremony.

“You’ve done it with your whānau, your aiga, your friends, your supporters, your classmates. Tonight is about you, but it’s also about them. Let’s acknowledge our families and friends.”

Deputy Chief Executive – Academic, Professor Dr Martin Carroll, also acknowledged the perseverance and commitment shown by graduates across all disciplines.

“Some of us know parts of your story—none of us know it all,” he said.

“But every one of you shares three things in common: you decided to develop yourself, and not everyone does that. You chose to grow in a way that allows you to give back to your whānau and your community, and not everyone does that. And most importantly—you were successful.

“You walked through our doors as students, and you leave as graduates—ready to make a difference.”

Logan Fricker receiving his certificate in Health and Wellbeing

For Logan Fricker, graduating with a Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) is a key step towards his goal of becoming a counsellor—and making a difference in the lives of young people.

Mr Fricker’s journey started by joining School of Secondary Tertiary Studies (SSTS) at the age of fifteen.

SSTS is a secondary school operated by MIT which allows learners at risk of disengaging from education to pursue vocational pathways in a supportive environment while also completing NCEA.

“In my previous schools, I didn’t really do well in terms of the academic side,” he says. “SSTS was really different. It put me on the pathway to this certificate, and now the bachelor’s degree (I’m studying towards).”

“I’ve always wanted to work with teenagers, understand their issues and struggles, and see what I can do to improve their lives.”

MIT congratulates Rahera, Logan and all its latest graduates while thanking staff who made these evenings such great celebrations of the contribution we make to the life of our communities.

A dedicated group of around 20 kaimahi volunteered for each ceremony, many who did two or all three of the ceremonies