Life isn’t just about doing the things that are easy, it is about doing the things that are tough.”
These were the words of guest speaker Hon. Mark Mitchell at NZSE College’s first Graduation Ceremony of 2026, celebrating the graduates of the School of Tertiary Pathways.
The Minister of Police and Corrections delivered an apt and motivating speech to our graduates, many of whom will now be moving on to the NZ Defence Force, police, security, and other uniformed services.
Graduation is one of the most widely anticipated dates on our calendar. On Friday 21 August, staff, friends, whānau, and learners gathered at Faith City Church in Manukau to hear from MP Mark Mitchell, Founder Brijesh Sethi, graduating students, and more, alongside a powerful haka performance.
Brijesh Sethi, who despite attending many graduations throughout his 22 years with NZSE, says Tertiary Pathways remains particularly meaningful to him.
“You’ll hear firsthand from our graduates exactly why we do this. Tertiary Pathways is a very special environment that opens up lots of opportunities for our young people.”
MC Andrew Brennan, NZSEG’s Group Operating Director, kept the day flowing and presented our graduates with certificates, special awards, and trophies. “You join a proud history of success,” said Brennan, addressing the learners, robed in korowai, faitaga, saris, suits, and lolly leis.
“It all started years ago in the Far North of Kaitaia, and now, we are across Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga.” At the heart of ATC, Brennan said, is the goal of supporting the “reconnection of learning”.
It was insightful for our learners to hear from MP Mitchell, who served 14 years as a police officer before entering politics. His own experiences, including a troubled period at school and learning challenges, mirror many of our Tertiary Pathways learners, who continue to overcome barriers and challenges as they work towards their desired careers or further study.
“There is only one person who is going to dictate whether you are successful, and that is you,” said Mitchell, speaking directly to the two graduating groups on either side of him.
“A lesson that I learnt early on was that even if you aren’t sure, just turn up. Keep turning up. When I dropped out of school at 15, never, in a million years, did I think that I could have a career like I have had. Never once did I think that one day I would be sitting around the Cabinet table making decisions for our country.
“You need to want it badly, to turn up, and to have the strength of character to not be around the people who will take you on the wrong path.”
Mitchell also took the opportunity to thank and acknowledge the staff, who play a huge role in ultimately getting students to graduation.
Head of School Fau Tiatia’s commitment to supporting youth to achieve is unquestionable. Her welcoming speech honoured staff, family, and stakeholders, who have all worked together to ensure that students made it to graduation. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini — My strength is not that of an individual, it is that of many, she shared.
The crowd also heard from two graduating students, Ian Ah-Ching and Conrad Baker. Both learners demonstrated discipline, courage, and dedication throughout their journeys with Tertiary Pathways, coming out the other side with multiple certificates across the school.
Conrad Baker was proud to announce that he would be joining the August intake for the Royal New Zealand Navy. He credits the staff at ATC Military Prep with helping him get there.
“Thank you to all the staff, because what you guys do, actually matters. To everyone here, don’t ever feel like just because you didn’t go to school, there’s nothing for you. There’s places like ATC that can help you.”
After all the learners had walked across the stage, they gathered to perform the ATC haka, a significant taonga to the organisation.
The haka symbolises the transformation that can result from Tertiary Pathways programmes. In 2015, two learners, Carlos and Hoani, created the haka as part of a competition. Encouraged by the Head of School, they put the haka together and gifted it for all Tertiary Pathways learners to experience. The haka honours the Māori God of War, Tūmatauenga, and the Māori Battalion, Te Hokowhitu a Tū, paying tribute to their mana and experiences.
The graduates delivered a passionate performance and were met with loud applause from everyone in attendance.
Our warmest congratulations to our graduates — kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui, be strong, be brave, and be steadfast!
