Numbers rise at WITT’s 2026 Graduation
WITT’s newest graduates were honoured last Friday in two ceremonies celebrating their achievements with the wider community.
The total number of graduates from 2025 is 976, up from 932 the previous year – an increase of 44. Just over 400 attended morning and afternoon ceremonies, held this year at the Citywest Church in Whalers Gate as the TSB Showplace is undergoing renovations.
A number of students received 41 special awards on behalf of stakeholders, donors and local businesses.
Nicola Conley, Operations Lead Executive at WITT, says it’s heartening to see healthy numbers graduating with certificates, diplomas and degrees in diverse areas including trades, business, nursing and healthcare, hospitality, hair and beauty, exercise, horticulture and agriculture as well as environmental management and pest operations.
“Graduation Day is the pinnacle of the academic year when teaching and support staff get to celebrate the achievements and hard work of ākonga, some of whom will be returning for further studies while others begin a new chapter in their working life.”
In livestreamed ceremonies, she told graduates that “becoming skilled in a trade or a profession means you now have expertise that is respected and needed. You can build things, fix things, improve things and contribute in a very valuable way. That’s something to be incredibly proud of.”
The community needs the skills of WITT graduates, she added, encouraging them to “keep learning, keep growing.”
Caption: Nicola Conley, WITT Operations Lead Executive, with Gus Gilmore, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (formerly Te Pūkenga).
Guest speakers from art, beauty, and trades
Guest speaker, former WITT Director of Schools, Daniel Fuemana, says he was particularly delighted that graduates from the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) Level 3 cohort included an iwi group who did their training near Hawera last year.
The 14 trainee carpenters were part of a unique collaboration between WITT and Ōkahu Inuāwai hapū of Ngāruahine Iwi in South Taranaki. The project to build whare for uri (descendants) of Ōkahu Inuāwai Hapū and wider Ngāruahine whanau resulted in the first of four planned homes being completed at the end of last year. Most who did the programme now have jobs, but a few were able to attend Friday’s morning ceremony.
Daniel, who was at WITT for five-and-a-half years, returned last year to Auckland where he’s now a consultant in construction education, and is pursuing his art creating Pasifika sculptural and carving works.
In a memorable speech he highlighted the power of overcoming hurdles such as social stigmas and cultural barriers – a message based on personal experiences. He recounted his early experiences with the education system when his family moved to Auckland from the small South Pacific Island nation of Niue.
He faced struggles at school where teachers showed little understanding of language and cultural issues until a supportive tutor helped him achieve literacy and numeracy levels so he could continue with confidence. He went on to work in the construction sector, then as a trades educator and tertiary sector leader.
He encouraged everyone to 'dream big', to believe in yourself and achieve your potential.
Caption: Happy faces from Graduation Day, including student speaker/Bachelor of Design and Arts graduate Vanessa Erkes (top left); Nursing tutor Tara Malone with Bachelor of Nursing graduate Taylor Taurere, and (below) international students Arshdeep Kaur (Bachelor of Nursing) and Ashvin Martin (Graduate Diploma in Engineering - Highways).
More inspiring words came from student speakers Kate Dawkins and Vanessa Erkes. Both highlighted life-changing challenges and growth - personal and professional through their study journeys. Supportive WITT staff and forging lifelong friendships with classmates are all part of the learning experience.
Kate, who graduated with a New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4), is returning to WITT this year to continue with a Level 5 Diploma in Beauty Therapy.
“Committing to your craft and career is a demanding yet rewarding process. There is no better feeling than your hard work being recognized and validated,” she told the audience.
Vanessa Erkes, who received her Bachelor of Design and Arts, completed her degree while juggling the demands of being a single parent. She is now working as a Project Assistant at Taranaki Heritage Preservation.
Vanessa said in her speech that “What matters most isn’t just what we produced, it’s what we learned about ourselves. We learned how to ask for help, how to sit with uncertainty, how to keep moving through discomfort, and how to trust our own voices. Those lessons don’t show up on a paper, but they’re the ones we’ll carry forward for the rest of our lives.”
Rain meant the lunchtime parade through the CBD had to be cancelled. Meanwhile, printed programmes doubled as hand-powered fans as guests in the auditorium tried to stay cool in hot and humid conditions.
Alongside the formalities, the vibe of the day was jubilant as graduates and their whānau and friends mingled for photos and videos, bearing bouquets and some wearing traditional korowai.
You can still view Graduation ceremonies via the livestream links here.
Morning ceremony link: https://vimeo.com/event/5717997
Afternoon ceremony link: https://vimeo.com/event/5717998