Two generations graduate together

Phoenix Ahomiro proudly held the hand of her grandmother, Te Atawhai Ani Ahomiro, as they both celebrated their graduation day.

On the day of NorthTec's graduation ceremonies a grandmother held the hand of her moko as they marched to celebrate their graduation day.

Last Friday, a crowd of NorthTec students graduated and among them was Te Atawhai Ani Ahomiro and her granddaughter Phoenix Ahomiro - it was an extra special day for them both.

"It's pretty cool because how often do you get to say the oldest grandchild graduated with her nan," said Phoenix.

Phoenix, 22, gained a Bachelor of Nursing and Te Atawhai, 65, completed a Te Pokaitahi Ngapuhi-Nui-Tonu-Te Raranga (Diploma in Maori Weaving).

Phoenix said she studied nursing because her grandmother Te Atawhai and her other grandmother were both nurses, while Te Atawhai said her decision to study again was because of Phoenix.

"It was all due to her. She was given a book from her kura in Auckland called He kete he korero. She got that in 2005 and she was going to throw it out but she gave it to me and she'd never read it. I picked it up and what I saw was my grandmothers kete. I visited the kuia who talked about that kete - that inspired me to finally pursue my dream," Te Atawhai said.

She said she wove a replica of that kete which she carried with her on Friday. Te Atawhai and Phoenix are extremely close and even though the content of their studies differed, they still helped each other out.

"I took nan for her first day of school, I showed her around NorthTec and sat in the powhiri with her, even though I'd sat through one the year before. I even took her to her first class.

"She'd pick me up to go and pick flax with her so she'd have a buddy. She'd let me practice many blood pressure tests on her."

Phoenix said sometimes her grandmother's blood pressure was not good.

"She was a good sport and let me keep testing it anyway," laughed Phoenix.

Phoenix now lives in Wellington and works for the Capital and Coast District Health Board at Wellington Regional Hospital. Phoenix used to have lunch with her grandmother once a week and talk to her everyday so being apart is hard.

"I miss her so much, all the time. When we were together I knew she had to go back but I miss her," said Te Atawhai.

But Phoenix said she still called her every other day: "She's my best friend."

Te Atawhai is now pursing a Bachelor of Maori Arts majoring in Raranga.