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Maori graduates to receive special taonga
Published by the Communications and Development Department 3 April 2003
Graduates attending the University of Canterbury’s Maori Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday 16 April will each be presented with a taonga and a tohu (certificate) to honour their achievements.
The taonga have been designed and carved by renowned Christchurch carver and artist Ricki Manuel. There are five designs, each one especially designed for a particular degree. The taonga for undergraduate degrees is a bone carving featuring a koru and maunga (mountain) which represents Aoraki. Honours is represented by the addition of a paua eye and masters with a pounamu eye. PhD students receive a pounamu toki (axe). A fifth taonga – a bone toki – will be presented to non-Maori graduating with a BA in Maori.
Owen Huta, of the University’s Te Whare Akonga o Te Akatoki (maori Study Centre), said the taonga recognised the sacrifices the akonga (students) had made in order to achieve their degrees.
“The gift is to show our appreciation to the students who have followed their dreams and achieved them.”
Twenty Maori graduates will attend the day-long ceremony which gives whanau the opportunity to honour the graduates.
“It is important that everyone gets an opportunity to express their feelings on this big day,” added Mr Huta.
For more information contact: Communications Manager |
