Ara graduate brings trademark determination to his te reo journey 

If you’re looking to be inspired, the cohort of learners graduating from Ara Institute of Canterbury in Timaru is a good place to start. 

Out of the almost 200 learners graduating this year, 72 will crossed the stage at Caroline Bay Hall Thursday 22 May in person, celebrating their achievements in front of friends and whānau. 

One of them—and the student chosen to lead the procession from the Rose Garden to Caroline Bay Hall—is well-known South Canterbury sportsman, Jono Nelson.  

A former competitive hand-cyclist now training in open water swimming, Nelson completed his Level 3 Te Reo Māori at Ara last year. 

He spoke warmly of his study experience, saying it had given him a new challenge.  

"My learning was really uplifting,” he said, thanking the kaiako and kaimahi who had supported his class. 

Nelson said that at the start of the year, he was anxious about doing noho (weekend overnight study) due to being wheelchair bound. 

“But then one of my peers in the disability community encouraged me to build a bridge and get over myself. I now can't get enough of doing wānanga and noho marae. I get so warmly welcomed and nothing is a problem. In Māori culture there are no barriers, I’m supported and just one of the crowd.” 

Nelson said his qualification was the realisation of a high school dream. 

"I wanted to learn but with ideas being different back then I didn’t have the chance. When I saw free classes at Te Aitarakihi through Ara, the time was right.” 

Nelson now has basic conversation skills but aspires to be fluent in te reo and he continues to immerse himself in te ao Māori. He volunteers at Te Aitarakihi Marae-ā-iwi community garden, is involved in kapahaka and he’s also behind a weekly coffee catch-up to practice his kōrero Māori with a local kaumātua. 

“I’m a very goal orientated person and I admire fluent speakers. I have goals I want to achieve in the next five years in that space. I love a good challenge.” 

Graduating alongside Nelson are 14 learners with nursing degrees or post graduate nursing qualifications, 58 in trades-related study programmes and 44 within the hospitality, business and service industry sectors.  

A further 63 have gained Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in te reo Māori - reflecting a surge in demand for te reo study options in the region in recent years. In addition, a high volume of learners completed foundation courses in trades and health, igniting further study pathways in these sectors. 

The qualifications earned reflects Ara’s response to regional needs. Ara Executive Director Darren Mitchell said graduation ceremonies, and the diversity of learners involved, were a true reminder of Ara's purpose.  

“Education has the power to transform lives, and seeing our graduates ready to embrace the future—be it in work or further study— with enthusiasm and confidence is truly inspiring.”