Te Taumutu Rūnanga led the pōwhiri for the students at Lincoln University on 22 February. Along with the interim Vice Chancellor, John Hay, Te Mairiki welcomed new and returning students. For many of the international students this was the first opportunity to experience a whakatau. Even though Te Mairiki invited a small delegation of the hundreds of students to come across for hongi, most of the international students jumped into the queue.
With over a hundred students in the queue, our foreheads were very sore and numerous selfies were taken so the students could show the whānau at home the art of hongi. Following the whakatau a small ceremony to remember the Christchurch earthquake was held in the Stewart Building where all were invited to light a candle to remember those we lost.
Puamiria Parata-Goodall with Ben Matthews, Lincoln University.
Te Mairiki Williams welcoming students to Lincoln University.
Ben Matthews and Professor Hirini Matunga.