The UPC team at our stall
Unitec-Te Pūkenga was a well-received presence at the Waitangi @ Waititi event on Monday 6 February, bringing activities, art and positive interaction with the many guests at the event.
After a three-year Covid enforced break, the music and community event was back in West Auckland, hosted by Te Whanau o Waipareira at Hoani Waititi marae in acknowledgement of Waitangi Day. The music extravaganza included Kiwi musicians Stan Walker, Katchafire, Savage and Three Houses Down, along with many others in an impressive line-up of live acts across two main stages.
The Unitec-Te Pūkenga stand, led by the wonderful Unitec Pathways College team, saw engagement throughout the day, drawing crowds with the popular colouring goodie pack for the kids, a competition draw for the Unitec Trades School ‘Tool Chest’ (which people were lining up to enter) and also our very own Papa Hohepa alongside us sharing his taonga and art – a really fitting delivery for the event.
The winner of the Unitec Trades School ‘Tool Chest’ – standing alongside Blair Sorenson from our UPC team (on the left). He was over the moon and said it’s the first time he’s ever won anything.
Vivienne Merito, Director of Marketing, Industry and Communications helped out on the day and said “It was really heartening to see so many whānau enjoying some whakawhanaungatanga (family time) and manaakitanga (hospitality) together to celebrate the special day, especially on the back of the flooding which has impacted so many whānau across Auckland.”
Papa Hohepa’s taonga and artworks
Gift bags