Coming together to celebrate success

Graduands from a diverse range of programmes and schools came together to celebrate their achievements in front of classmates, families, lecturers, iwi, and other dignitaries on Friday afternoon.

Graduates had studied with Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus, the College of Work Based Learning, and Future Skills Academy.

They represented a diverse range of study areas from Business and IT to Construction, Bicultural Competency, and Midwifery.

Neil Barns, Chair of the OPAIC Board, addressed graduates, telling them that every individual could make a difference in the world. He encouraged them to go out and do so.

We then heard from Guest Speaker Nick Hill, Chief Executive of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. He talked about the twists and turns of his career to date.

He encouraged graduates to draw on the knowledge acquired during their qualifications as they embarked on their careers and to value their uniqueness as individuals including their histories, experiences, perspectives, and relationships.

OPAIC Student Speaker Augustus Rex Somera talked about hope in his address. He said graduates all had their own reasons for risking a great many things to pursue higher education in a foreign land. 

“But for most, if not all of us, we can agree that our decision to take that risk hinged on hope.” 

The hope that they started off with as they made the decision to move to New Zealand for their studies had now been strengthened and upgraded, founded on character that was built on perseverance.

“Now you have your second wind to fight for the things you hope for…career, health, family, whatever it is you are hoping for.”

College of Work Based Learning speaker David Vaeafe said that 39 years ago he graduated with his journalism qualification and became a storyteller, thinking this would be his career for life.

It was for over a decade before he ventured outside his comfort zone to pursue new career challenges, stepping into unknown and untested spaces.

Since then, he has gone from journalist to editor, programme manager to executive director, country representative to a member of cabinet in government and contractor to consultant.

His year of study highlighted something that he had always acted on subconsciously and how he lived and approached life. That was his Samoan culture and upbringing where values centred around Atua (God), Aiga (family), Fa’a’alolo (respect), Tautua (service), Va (relationships) and Alofa (love).

He said it was enlightening to map out his approaches to learning and practice throughout his study and see how his cultural lens and framework factored into everything he did.