In 2005, NZSE College proudly celebrated its very first graduation with just 12 learners. Two decades on, this annual event has evolved into a monumental occasion that Founder Brijesh Sethi once could only dream of.
On Friday 26 September 2025, NZSE’s Graduation Ceremony filled the nation’s largest tiered auditorium with over 1,300 tickets sold. Auckland’s Aotea Centre was alive with energy as graduands from every pillar of NZSE College made their entrance, adorned in regalia, stoles, and cultural garments including puletasi, kākahu, and saris. Joining them were staff, whānau, friends, and distinguished guests — among them New Zealand First List MP and Spokesperson for Education Andy Foster — all gathered to honour the milestone achievements of our graduating learners.
After a moving mihimihi performed by ATC Military Prep student Tamihana Kohunui and fellow students, Sethi addressed the crowd to kick off the ceremony. “NZSE College was born from a simple but powerful idea — that education should be accessible, transformative, and applicable in our communities.
“Today, as I stand before you, I see that idea alive in each of you,” said Sethi.
NZSE takes pride in designing programmes that are firmly grounded in real-world practice. With internships, capstone projects, and workplace experiences built into the curriculum, our graduates leave equipped to step confidently into the workforce from the moment they complete their studies.
Group CEO Wendy Liao has witnessed many graduations during her 18 years of service, yet each one remains just as meaningful as the last. “As I sat listening to Brijesh, I told myself, ‘Be calm!’ But now, standing here and looking at all of you, I feel so emotional.
“Like many of you, I balanced both study and work during my educational journey. While it was challenging at times, together we have persevered and succeeded. This occasion not only reflects your dedication and effort but also affirms your perseverance and confidence in your own abilities,” said Liao.
Before the hundreds of graduands made their journey across the stage to receive their certificates, we were honoured to hear from keynote speaker Jeffrey Stangl, Associate Dean of International and Executive Education at Massey University. Stangl’s good-humoured storytelling of his relationship with education helped to dissipate the nerves of our students — “I was impatient, and school wasn’t interesting to me. I dropped out at 16-years-old, and my father said I wasn’t a drop-out, I was a drop-kick!”
Stangl left us with four key insights: life is not a straight line; embrace its twists and turns; commit to life-long learning; and give back — because your education is not only for you, but also for your community and for people you have yet to meet.
It was joyous to watch our technology, healthcare, ATC Military Prep, and education graduates shake the hands of their teaching staff, and wave to their loved ones in the crowd. Alumni speeches from Jenny Bian and Vanita Bajaj demonstrated the heights that these learners can reach, with both graduates employed in full-time work here in Auckland.
Bian, a Data Analyst at Sky, spoke warmly of how NZSE prepared her for the workplace with the Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics (Level 7). “My work everyday uses knowledge I learnt at NZSE. Building dashboards, automation processes, and analysing business trends… Data Analysts make businesses more efficient, smart, and impactful. We couldn’t do this without the hard work of our educators.”
Vanita Bajaj, a graduate of our Diploma in Community Healthcare and Support (Level 7) and a Support Worker at Spectrum Care, treated the crowd with two original poems — one in English and one in Punjabi. Bajaj discussed her experience as an international student, highlighting the tribulations but also the rewards.
“Most of us came to New Zealand with hope, leaving behind our families. Our families carried the weight of our struggles so we could stand tall. Language barriers, cultural differences, financial barriers, and juggling study and work took moments of courage. These moments brought us here today.
NZSE has given me more than education, it gave me guidance, support, and self-belief. My teachers went beyond the books, they encouraged us and understood our struggles. They were always there for us,” said Bajaj.
And we would be remiss not to spotlight the incredible performances from James Cook High School, and singer Ridge Ponini. James Cook High School delivered a passionate waiata and haka set, honouring the students’ journey with a dynamic and powerful haka that had our eyes glued to the stage. Ridge Ponini’s technical perfection during operatic singing reverberated through the venue, and a cover of ‘You Raise Me Up’ was a fitting nod to the support of whānau, teachers, and friends, who make graduation possible.
We know our graduates will make brilliant contributions in their field, as they step into roles such as cloud network engineers, early childhood educators, NZ Defence Force recruits, aged care support workers, and so much more.
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