ACEM korowai - its symbolism and meaning
New FACEM Dr Stephanie Bedford (Ngāti Maniapoto) said that she felt very privileged to wear the College’s korowai (Māori ceremonial cloak) at last year’s graduation ceremony on the Gold Coast, gifted by ACEM’s Manaaki Mana Advisory Group.
‘The korowai represents far more than achievements. It is a taonga (treasure) that carries mana, whakapapa (genealogy), and all the aroha (love) and support I’ve had in my journey to becoming a FACEM, including from the Manaaki Mana Advisory Group, my whānau and everyone I worked with at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital ED.’
“The korowai represents far more than achievements. It is a taonga (treasure) that carries mana, whakapapa (genealogy), and all the aroha (love) and support I’ve had in my journey to becoming a FACEM.”
ACEM Immediate Past President Dr Stephen Gourley and Dr Stephanie Bedford at the College graduation ceremony.
When asked what being a FACEM means to her, she said: ‘Being a clinician who shows manaakitanga (care and respect) and supports patients, often through the toughest days of their lives. Providing them with aroha and manaaki (nurturing, support) to guide them on their journey in the healthcare system, in a culturally safe way, especially at Middlemore Hospital which has very diverse population of patients.’
Dr Bedford said her parents and siblings had supported her throughout her medical training. ‘It was wonderful to have some of my whānau at the ceremony, my mum and two sisters, to share in the celebration and to recognise all the hard work that they’ve also put in.’
The origins of the ACEM korowai
The korowai was commissioned for ACEM Past President Dr John Bonning’s inauguration in 2019.
In 2019 Dr John Bonning was confirmed as President – the first FACEM from Aotearoa New Zealand to hold this role. To mark this auspicious milestone, ACEM commissioned the making of a korowai for Dr Bonning to wear at his inauguration as President and for other ceremonial occasions.
“The korowai is a prestigious garment which holds profound cultural and historical significance,” said Di Te Tau, ACEM Project Lead Māori Health, who is the kaitiaki (caregiver) of the korowai on behalf of the College. “It is a symbol of leadership, protection, and identity, and is worn for important ceremonies such as graduations, weddings and other formal occasions.”
The korowai/kākahu was made by the University of Auckland Academic Dress Hire Association (now known as The Kate Edgar Foundation) with the proceeds of the sale going towards a special ‘Tressa Thomas Retraining Award’ to assist women with Māori heritage to undertake study to return to a profession or take up work in the community. As Dr Bonning lived and worked in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), the iwi (tribe) from the region Tainui was consulted on the tikanga (protocol) for the confirmation ceremony, which was held at the 2019 ACEM Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, Australia.
Matua Taki Turner and Whaea Ratau Turner travelled to Hobart with a contingent from Tainui and led the ceremony where Dr Bonning was confirmed as president and wrapped in the korowai/kākahu. During his presidency Dr Bonning wore the korowai/kākahu at ACEM ceremonies and it was kept at the ACEM head office in Jeffcott Street, Melbourne.
The korowai was welcomed and its spirit invigorated on its return to the ACEM office in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. Back row: Brendan Peek (ACEM CEO), Dr Max Raos (Manaaki Mana Advisory Group member); Dr Robert Lee (ACEM Executive Director of Policy, Research and Partnerships), and Matua Jon Royal (Pou Tikanga). Front row: Dr Kim Yates (Co-Chair Manaaki Mana Advisory Group) and Piki Mathieson (Co-Chair Manaaki Mana Advisory Group).
The return of the korowai to Aotearoa New Zealand
In May 2025, Matua Jon Royal (ACEM Pou Tikanga) and Di Te Tau travelled to Melbourne and performed a blessing to allow the korowai/kākahu to be safely returned to Aotearoa New Zealand. In August 2025, it was brought to the ACEM office in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) and a ceremony was held to ensure the korowai was welcomed and its mauri (spirit) was invigorated.
Tikanga (protocols) are being developed to guide the process and occasions for wearing the korowai.
As a taonga (treasure) it is displayed at the entrance of the Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) office.
