3 April 2008 Maori leadership encouraged with runanga's gift of trophy at Lincoln University

The first award of a new trophy for leadership among Māori at Lincoln University is being made in a ceremony on the campus tonight. (Thursday 3 April).

The Ngati Moki Māori Leadership Trophy, presented to the University by Ngai Te Ruahikihiki ki Taumutu represents another strand in line connecting the people of Taumutu and Lincoln University, Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki, which stands within the takiwa of Te Taumutu Runanga. 

A Charter formalising the long-standing informal connection between Taumutu and Lincoln was signed in 2006.

Ngati Moki is the marae at Taumutu, which is about 30 kms south-east of Lincoln.

The inaugural winner of the trophy is Ivy Harper, who is graduating tomorrow with the degree Bachelor of Māori Planning and Development. Ivy is of Ngati Kahungunu, Tainui and Ngapuhi descent and is a student representative on the Lincoln University Council. She is also a past staff member of the Centre for Māori and Indigenous Planning and Development at the University.

Lincoln University is holding its Graduation Ceremony tomorrow (4 April) in Christchurch Town Hall and as always the occasion is preceded the day before by a special on-campus celebration for Māori graduates.

That celebration was held today (3 April) in Lincoln University’s Memorial Hall, attended by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the Chairperson of Te Taumutu Runanga and kaumatua of Ngai Te Ruahikihiki ki Taumutu.

Those graduating represent a wide range of iwi affiliations, both North and South Island and are receiving qualifications in a range of subject areas from Māori planning and development, science, commerce and management to landscape architecture , horticulture, parks, recreation and tourism management to economic geography.

The graduates are  -

• Belinda Raskin, Diploma in Horticulture with Distinction
• Ivy Harper, Bachelor of Māori Planning and Development
• George MacMillan, Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture)
• Nick Portas, Bachelor of Commerce (Valuation and Property Management)
• Katherine Powell, Bachelor of Commerce and Management
• Jade McFarlane, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Honours
• Ekara Lewis, Bachelor of Māori Planning and Development, with Honours
• Takarei Norton, Postgraduate Diploma in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
• Laura Buckthought, Bachelor of Science, with Honours
• Hannah Leckie, Bachelor of Science, with Honours
• Simon Lambert, Doctor of Philosophy.   

Ian Collins, Communications Group, Lincoln University