Whāriki - Māori weaving

Whakapiki Ake
Whānau Hand Over Dinner

Join us for our annual Whānau Hand Over Dinner at Waipapa Marae, Waipapa Taumata Rau (The University of Auckland). This special evening brings together our Whakapiki Ake whānau to celebrate our journey and embrace our future pathways in health.

Whakapiki Ake students gathering together at the Whānau Hand Over Dinner

Evening Programme

Held in mid to late February, this special event marks the beginning of our students’ university journey. The evening features a formal dinner at our beautiful Waipapa Marae, where we acknowledge our tauira’s transition into tertiary study. Successful Whakapiki Ake students enrolled in FMHS programmes will receive their personal invitations upon completion of their enrollment, welcoming them and their whānau to this momentous occasion.

Celebration & Connection

The Whānau Hand Over Dinner is more than just a celebration – it’s a cornerstone of our commitment to supporting Māori excellence in health. This evening provides an opportunity for new students to connect with their peers, meet faculty members, and share their aspirations with the wider Whakapiki Ake community. It’s a time where whānau can come together to celebrate achievements and forge connections that will last throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Whānau celebrating together at the Hand Over Dinner
Whakapiki Ake students participating in Whānau Dinner.

Whānau Hand Over Dinner Testimonials

“Meeting our course coordinators and the wider FMHS whānau helped us feel so much more confident about starting our journey.” – First Year Students

“The evening was incredibly informative and helped build connections before classes even began!.” – Certificate in Health Sciences Student

“As a course coordinator, it’s wonderful to see our tauira come together with their whānau. These students are going to develop into amazing leaders” – MAPAS Staff Member

“The manaakitanga shown at the Hand Over Dinner makes our tauira and their whānau feel truly welcomed into the FMHS whānau. It’s where lifelong connections begin.” – Whakapiki Ake Team Member