Posted on 29 May 2026
Media ReleaseOpen Polytechnic graduate speaker Susan Aretere’s study journey has been something bigger than herself; serving her whānau, community, and future generations.
Susan, who is a proud Cook Islander born and raised in South Auckland, now living in Hamilton, shared her experience of earning her Bachelor of Social Work when she spoke at Open Polytechnic’s Auckland graduation ceremony at the Due Drop Events Centre on Thursday 28 May.
“This is not just about graduating; it represents a journey that has taken me five and a half years, and one that many of us here have travelled in our own ways,” Susan said.
“Pursuing my Bachelor of Social Work has been a journey of growth, challenge, and sacrifice, not just for me, but for my family who have walked alongside me.”
Through her work over the past eight years, particularly as a Learning Support Assistant, Susan began to see the real need to be “a voice for tamariki (children), in a world that is often adult led, where their voices can be overlooked or misunderstood.”
“My learning throughout this journey has also shaped me as a mother,” Susan said.
“It has helped me to become more understanding, more reflective, and more patient than I once was.”
Photo: Susan, fourth from left, with her family.
Susan thanked God, first and foremost and her whānau who stood beside and encouraged her to keep going through her study journey, along with her colleagues and friends.
She also acknowledged the connection developed with other Bachelor of Social Work graduates developed through online group chats, workshops and Noho Marae (overnight marae stay) as part of the programme.
“Coming together gave us not only valuable learning, but a sense of belonging that helped us to keep going,” Susan said.
Susan thanked kaiako (course tutors) and the kaimahi (staff) at Open Polytechnic, for their guidance, support, and the role they have played in helping graduates.
She finished her speech by encouraging all of the graduates gathered at the ceremony.
“To my fellow graduates, our journeys have not all looked the same, but we are all here today because we kept going — through challenges, through sacrifice, and through moments where it would have been easier to stop,” Susan said.
“And as we move forward, may we continue to use our voices, our experiences, and what we have learned to make a difference in the spaces we each step into.”
As a provisionally registered social worker, practicing in the social sector, Susan is hoping to return to South Auckland one day, to serve the community she grew up in, and raised her children.
Photo: Susan receives some flowers from Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Sharon Cooke.
Susan was one of 175 diploma and degree graduates at Open Polytechnic’s Auckland graduation ceremony.
Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Sharon Cooke congratulated the graduates in her speech at the ceremony.
“Some of our graduates and their whānau have crossed oceans to be here today, from Australia to wider afield - reflecting the power of flexible learning to connect people, wherever they are in the world.”
“Each graduate here today represents something special. You arrive at this moment with a deep sense of achievement, pride in what you have accomplished, and a growing confidence in your ability to contribute.”
In total, around 1150 graduates from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand received their diplomas and degrees from the Open Polytechnic, the nation’s specialist provider of online learning either at graduation ceremonies in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, or in absentia, in May 2026.
Ākonga (learners) graduated with a variety of diplomas and degrees, including early childhood education, primary and secondary education, business, accounting, applied management, funeral directing, legal executive studies, library and information studies, human resources, marketing, psychology, applied science, social health and wellbeing, web development and design, information technology, construction, architectural technology, engineering technology, and social work.