25 leap years – Alumnus turns 100
Three generations of Rex Howe's family have studied at AUT – Rex studied engineering at Seddon Memorial Technical College, his daughter Glenis studied at AIT and his grandson George studied at AUT Business School.
The son of a Māori father (William Koikoi) and European Mother (Dorothy Wormald), Rex celebrated a century this month.
He has lived through the aftermath of two world wars, the Korean war, life without the internet, and the associated complexities in the early 1920's in Aotearoa New Zealand of mixed heritage.
Rex remembers going to the movies in Pukekohe with his cousins and sitting in a section designated only for Māori people.
Rex is proud of his association with AUT and delighted that both his daughter and grandson passed through its portals on their way to furthering their education and careers.
Professor Edwina Pio, our university director of diversity, has known the family for many years and was at the centenary celebration to share in the joy of three generations who graduated from AUT.
Rex received cards from Queen Elizabeth, Jacinda Ardern, Patsy Reddy, Phil Goff and other well-wishers. A tribute to a life well-lived of 52, 560, 000 minutes, including those spent at AUT.