AUT Summer Graduation 2024

By Farren McGregor-Smyth

On 9 December, Auckland University of Technology Paramedicine held its biannual pinning ceremony.

At the ceremony, undergraduates and postgraduates are presented with a pin representing the qualification within paramedicine that they have attained.

Together with the handing out of pins, awards were also given to academic and volunteering high achievers recognising AUT Paramedicine student mentors, students achieving academic distinction (A-grade or an 8.0/9.0 GPA) in the BHSc (Paramedicine) degree, and two overall honours: Highest Academic Achievement and Outstanding Contributions to Paramedicine.

Two new taonga were introduced for Māori and Pacific Medics students: One recognising exceptional leadership and embodying the spirit of manaakitanga (kindness, respect, and support) within the programme, and the other honouring perseverance, hard work, and dedication, celebrating a student who excelled in both theory and practical experience.

MAPmedics is a student-led initiative dedicated to providing a culturally safe space for Māori and Pacific students within the paramedicine programme.

The foundation of MAPmedics is built on the values of whakawhanaungatanga, where we build or maintain relationships, and nurturing a Tuakana/teina model where senior students guide and mentor their junior peers.

Every week, we come together to learn from each other, share kai, and connect as a community. MAPmedics is supported by Māori and Pacific paramedics, as well as AUT lecturers, who are vital in helping us thrive academically, culturally and pastorally.

Māori and Pacific Medics students

The following students received awards for undergraduate studies:

• The John Heberley Cup for highest GPA and overall academic distinction was awarded to Kate Duffy.

• The Brenda Costa-Scorse Cup for Outstanding Contribution to the BHSc in Paramedicine programme was awarded to Elsie McRobb.

• The taonga Te Matau a Māui Tikitiki a Taranga for the MAPmedic student that has exemplified remarkable perseverance, dedication and hardwork and applied all forms of knowledge within paramedicine was awarded to Shayla Traynor.

• The taonga Te Pītau Whakareia o te Waka for the MAPmedic student who has inspired and guided peers in the paramedicine programme through demonstrating manaakitanga (kindness, respect and support) was awarded to Elsie McRobb.

It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the graduates' hard work and dedication throughout their studies, as well as to honour both them and their whānau at the pinning ceremony and AUT Summer Graduation 2024!

Elsie McRobb (left) and Shayla Traynor