The first of two graduation ceremonies for students at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi takes place in Whakatāne today.

Two capping ceremonies are being held today and tomorrow for this year's graduands as well as those who missed out last year.

COVID-19 prevented more than 2200 graduates from being formally capped last year.

Students from the class of 2019 will be capped today, and that'll be followed by the 2020 class tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning graduands will set off from the Mitchell Park Reserve at 10am, to march through town, finishing outside Te Mānuka Tūtahi marae.

The class will then be formally capped in a ceremony in which Māori Crown relations Minister Kelvin Davis, and Professor Sir Hirini Mead will take part.

Chief executive Professor Wiremu Doherty said graduation is always a proud occasion and the main event of the indigenous institution’s annual calendar.
It's also an opportunity for the wider community to honour the graduands’ achievements.

Source: Radio 1XX