All graduands from our Auckland International Campus have the option to attend a graduation ceremony in Auckland or in Dunedin. You can select the ceremony you want to attend when you register. Read more about the Dunedin ceremony here. 

All students who are graduating on Monday 28 February 2022 must register via the Student Hub or using the link you will receive through your personal email address, before Friday 4 February 2022.

- If you do not register by this date you will be graduated in absentia.

- Students must graduate within 18 months of attaining their qualification.

- Login with your Otago Polytechnic username and password at Student Hub. There will be a registration form available when the registration is open.

- It is important that all your contact information is up to date so you do not miss important graduation messages we may send.

You should register even if:

- you are not planning to attend a ceremony (e.g. you intend to graduate in absentia).

- you’d like to defer your graduation to the next available graduation. 

When registering for graduation you will be asked to tell us:

- whether you will be graduating in person or in absentia

- about any special seating arrangements required for yourself or your guests

- your academic dress height and head size information

Please note that graduates and their guests will be required to stay for the whole ceremony. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans. 

P¯owhiri and Opening Ceremony

Graduation begins with P¯owhiri. A P¯owhiri is a formal M¯aori welcome ceremony conducted by the Kaum¯atua (elders) of the iwi kainga, literally the “home people” (hosts). It is a highly ritualised encounter between hosts and manuhiri (visitors). While some practices may differ among various tribes and M¯aori services, the intention of the encounter is always the same: to clear the tapu (restrictions) off the manuhiri, to create a spiritually safe environment and to establish the purpose of meeting together.

The P¯owhiri is unique to the M¯aori culture and is conducted in te reo M¯aori (the M¯aori language).  It starts with a karanga (call of welcome). The matriarchs (senior women) from both the host and the visitors’ group* perform this ritual. It acknowledges the spirituality of the encounter and clears the pathway for a safe entrance to the marae ¯atea (courtyard/ hall), and then into te waahi hui (the meeting place), te k¯akano.  *Otago Polytechnic has instituted the use of bagpipes as our part of the karanga, i.e. the lament of the bagpipes replaces the traditional karanga. 

The next ritual is the hongi (traditional greeting), where the host extends their right hand to the visitor who extends their right hand, they shake hands and then briefly press their noses together - both the forehead and the nose should touch at the same time. This action is gentle to avoid the accidental 'headbutt'. The manuhiri will advance in single file and 'hongi' the hosts before going to their seats. Guests should remain standing during this process.

Next, one of the Kaum¯atua will say a karakia (prayer). This ritual acknowledges the encounter between host and visitor and the purpose of the gathering. It calls for a semblance of peace and unity within. A h¯imene (hymn, song of praise) typically accompanies the karakia. Both hosts and visitors may now be seated.

Next, the whaik¯orero (formal speeches) commence. The Kaum¯atua (elders) of both the hau k¯ainga (home people) and the manuhiri (visitors) lead these, which are accompanied by waiata performed by the iwi k¯ainga. The manuhiri kaik¯orero (visitors’ spokesperson) have the right of reply, and a suitable waiata should accompany this.

With the formalities completed, the host Kaum¯atua will complete the ceremony with a karakia or so designate that the visitors’ Kaum¯atua can close.

Presentation of Qualifications 

All Capable NZ awards will be presented first (certificates, then degrees, then diplomas), followed by all Auckland International Campus awards. All awards will be presented by their relevant Schools. Graduands’ names will be read alphabetically.

Conferring of Degrees

For those receiving Master and Bachelor degrees, you should hold your trencher in your left hand as you cross the stage. The Board Chairperson will confer your degree by taking your trencher from you and placing it on your head. You will then receive your award from the Chief Executive, and continue crossing the stage (wear your trencher for the remainder of the ceremony).  For those receiving Graduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Diplomas, you should already be wearing your trencher as you cross the stage.

Please ensure you leave any personal items (e.g. cameras, handbags, cell phones) with your guests. Out of respect, cell phones must be switched off during the ceremony.

Special Student Awards

These will be presented by the Executive Director following the academic award presentations. Those students receiving Special Student Awards will be notified in writing prior to the Graduation Ceremony.

Conclusion of Ceremony

Ng¯ati Wh¯atua will offically close the ceremony. The Official Party will then leave in procession. Staff, graduates, then guests will follow.

All graduands who would like to walk in the parade are to meet at Aotea Square at 10am. All graduands must arrive on time and be wearing their academic dress. 

The parade will start at Aotea Square and finish at the Auckland Town Hall. It will move down Bledisloe Lane then cross into Elliott Street then turn right onto Victoria Street West. It will then turn right up Queen Street. The parade will depart at 10:30am and will be led by a piper and a drummer. Your guests are more than welcome to follow you and cheer you on.

There will be a photographer taking photos of all graduands and guests. 

You do not have to walk in the parade if you don’t want to. If this is the case, please ensure you meet at the Town Hall Great Hall at 11am sharp. There will be staff and volunteers who will show you where to go.

Each graduating student can bring up to three guests, free of charge. Graduates and guests do not need tickets. 

All graduating students must wear appropriate academic dress. Otago Polytechnic operates a hire service for academic dress, the proceeds of which go toward cleaning and maintaining the academic dress stock. You must register for graduation, otherwise, you risk your academic dress not being prepared in time, and as a result, you may not be able to attend your graduation ceremony. Please order online at academicdresshire.co.nz.

Cost 

Cancellations

Cancellations should be sent to aicgraduation@op.ac.nz at least seven days prior to graduation. Orders paid for within this time will be refunded, subject to a $10 administration fee.

Postponements 

If the ceremony has to be postponed due to Covid-19, all orders will be automatically transferred to the new date.  If you cannot attend the new date, you are still welcome to hire your regalia, take photos and have a private celebration.  

Collection dates

Academic Dress is available for collection from Academic Dress Hire, 17 George Street, Parnell, Auckland

Graduands must register for graduation prior to collecting regalia. You cannot collect regalia if you have not registered. We suggest paying prior to collection to save time.

Return dates

Your academic dress may be returned at the Auckland Town Hall after the ceremony, or to Academic Dress Hire (17 George Street, Parnell, Auckland) at the times below:

Replacement costs will be charged for any lost, damaged or soiled items of academic dress. The replacement value of a full set of Otago Polytechnic academic dress is $1000.

Academic dress can be collected and returned on your behalf by friends or family members. However, the responsibility for safe return of academic dress is still yours. 

Photographer: Chris Dillon
Website: www.dillon.co.nz

Dillon Photography will be photographing during the ceremony and, if you wish, will be available to photograph you and/or your family in their on-site studio after the ceremony. Please note: due to lighting and time restrictions we will not be able to guarantee 'on stage' photos. An on-site studio will be running during the refreshments after the graduation ceremony.

There is no charge for on-site studio photography. Purchase of print or file pricing can be viewed below. You will be able to view and order photos online within seven days of your event.

Viewing/Purchase Instructions

To order your photos:
1. Visit www.dillon.co.nz
2. Click on Graduation in the navigation menu.
3. Click on 'Graduation Online Store' button.
4. Click on your event.

You will be redirected to our online shop. Here you can choose images, select sizes or packages, calculate shipping costs and purchase. The prints will be shipped to the address you supply.

Pricing 

(Note sizes are in inches)

Whether you're traveling to Graduation to attend the ceremony yourself or visiting to support your loved one, you may need to book accommodation quite early to ensure that you find something.

To find accommodation near the Auckland International Campus, visit HotelsCombined.

New Zealand is one of 61 countries with a national branch of the Federation of Graduate Women (FGW) affiliated to the International FGW whose headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. All women degree graduates may join the NZFGW.

The aims of the Federation are:

• To promote understanding and cooperation among degree graduate women resident in New Zealand.
• To represent and act for degree graduate women in matters in which they are interested.
• To promote, through affiliation with the IFGW, understanding and friendship among degree graduate women of the world, irrespective of race, religion or political opinion.
• To encourage research work by degree graduate women.
• To encourage the full application of the knowledge and skills of degree graduate women to the problems which arise at all levels of public life, whether regional, national or worldwide, and to encourage their participation in the solving of these problems.

Membership of the IFGW entitles degree graduates to apply for many postgraduate awards. Members receive regular newsletters, and may obtain letters of introduction to other branches of the IFGW when travelling overseas. Members retain contact with other degree graduate women, and by corporate action contribute to community, educational and controversial issues. Members of all branches contribute to the preparation of submissions.

Local branch programmes include talks on topical subjects, panel discussions, study groups and social activities.

List of local branch secretaries:

• CANTERBURY - PO Box 3088, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140
• GISBORNE - 51 Island Road, Gisborne 4010
• HAWKES BAY - 4/31 Shakespeare Road, Napier 4110
• MANAWATU - PO Box 1713, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4440
• NORTH SHORE - PO Box 33-1050, Takapuna, North Shore City 0740
• OTAGO - PO Box 6334, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9059
• SOUTHLAND - PO Box 98, Invercargill 9840
• WAIKATO - PO Box 7065, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3247
• WELLINGTON - PO Box 2006, Wellington 6140