Non-European names ‘butchered’ at Massey graduation ceremony

Speakers stumbled over and skipped entire names at the Wellington graduation ceremonies two weeks ago, particularly for Māori, Pasifika, and Asian graduates.  

On April 14th, Massive received complaints from graduation attendees reporting widespread mispronunciation of non-English names and basic te reo Māori — particularly by Massey chancellor, Alastair Davis.  

Student Hayden Afele-Nickel, who attended to celebrate his brother’s graduation, said, “It’s so entirely disrespectful.” 

Afele-Nickel was “appalled at the butchering of any name that isn’t European”.  

He noted that the chancellors reo was particularly “shit".  

Massey chancellor Alastair Davis struggled with his reo at graduation. Photo / Massey University

“Some folks didn’t even get their name said in its entirety because the fool stumbled through it so badly.” 

“Mispronouncing ‘aroha’ and ‘wairua’ is just ridiculous in Aotearoa in 2025.” 

However, a Massey lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, felt the real problem was Massey's under resourced system rather than individual staff.   

They said that staff roped in to read names do their best by practicing in their own time, and are “well under the pump and will be upset about every name they squished”.  

“It’s stink for students and staff feel rotten about it too.” 

Massey's operational guide for graduation states that name readers receive a list of graduates one week in advance to practice, with sufficient time to seek advice on correct pronunciation of names.  

Those graduating have an option to provide a phonetic spelling of their name, which is passed on to the reader, who can also consult linguistic staff or the deputy vice-chancellor Māori. 

In comparison, Victoria University’s website states that all students will be asked to submit an audio recording of their name when applying to graduate.  

A Massey University spokesperson said, “We understand that every graduate’s name carries deep personal and cultural significance, and every student deserves to have their name pronounced correctly and with care.” 

“We are sincerely sorry to those who felt this was not the case.” 

“We will continue to reach out to staff in speaking roles at graduation, to see what assistance can be provided.” 

The spokesperson said staff across the university, including senior leadership and Council members, had engaged in te reo Māori learning opportunities and Te Tiriti o Waitangi training in recent years.  

“Many of our speakers also seek personal guidance and spend time preparing in the lead-up to graduation ceremonies.” 

“We recognise that correct pronunciation of te reo Māori can be challenging for some, and this reflects a broader journey across Aotearoa New Zealand toward honouring te reo Māori.” 

Massey alumni and CoCA graduation attendee Bella Bolter agreed that the mispronunciations tainted what should have been a celebratory occasion.  

She said the chancellor particularly struggled in his five-minute te reo speech, mispronouncing basic words like ‘whānau’, ‘reo’, and ‘Taranaki’.  

“Now I understand why Jan speaks for him,” Bolter said, referencing vice-chancellor Jan Thomas.  

Though Bolter praised elements of the ceremony such as haka and waiata, she said the consistent mispronunciation of Māori and Pasifika names undermined the tributes. 

“It feels horrendous,” Bolter said, “Your name is so important … it’s their one opportunity to graduate, and that might their one memory of the day.” 

A Fine Arts graduate also criticised the chancellor’s delivery, saying he “butchered entire paragraphs of reo Māori”.  

While recognising that learning te reo comes with mistakes, they said, “If you represent the whole institution with pronunciation that bad, it’s just disrespectful.” 

Chancellor Davis was approached for comment.