Graduation

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.

Auckland Graduation

Friday 28 August 2026

Dunedin Graduation

March 2027

All students who are graduating must register using the unique link you will receive through your personal email address. Registrations for each ceremony close six weeks before the ceremony date.

There is a separate unique link on the ‘Register to Graduate’ email that you can click if you don’t want to attend a graduation ceremony. You will then be registered to graduate in absentia. 

Students must graduate within 18 months of attaining their qualification. 

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

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

- Whether you will be graduating in person or in absentia.

- How many guests you would like to bring.

- About any special seating arrangements required for yourself or your guests.

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. 

Pōwhiri and Opening Ceremony

Graduation begins with pōwhiri. A Pōwhiri is a formal Māori welcome ceremony conducted by the Māori kaumātua (elders) of the iwi kāinga, 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 Māori 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 Pōwhiri is unique to the Māori culture and is conducted in te reo Māori (the Māori language).  It starts with a karanga (call of welcome). The matriarchs (senior women) from both the host group and the visiting group perform this ritual. It acknowledges the spirituality of the encounter and clears the pathway for a safe entrance to the marae ātea (courtyard/ hall), and then into te waahi hui (the meeting place), te kākano. 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, ensuring that both the forehead and the nose 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 kaumātua will say a karakia (prayer). This ritual acknowledges the encounter between the host and the visitor, as well as the purpose of the gathering. It calls for a semblance of peace and unity within. A hīmene (hymn, song of praise) typically accompanies the karakia. Both hosts and visitors may now be seated.

Next, the whaikōrero (formal speeches) commence. The kaumātua (elders) of both the haukāinga (home people) and the manuhiri (visitors) lead these, which are accompanied by waiata performed by the iwi kāinga. The manuhiri kaikōrero (visitors’ spokesperson) has the right of reply, and a suitable waiata should accompany this.

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

Presentation of Qualifications 

All Auckland International Campus awards will be presented first, followed by all Capable NZ awards. All awards will be presented by their relevant schools. Graduands’ names will be read in alphabetical order.

Conferring of Degrees

For those receiving Master's and Bachelor's 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 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 or our team in the registration room. Out of respect, please switch off your cell phones during the ceremony.

Special Student Awards

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

Conclusion of Ceremony

Ngāti Whātua will officially close the ceremony. The Official Party will then leave in procession. Staff, graduates, and then guests will follow.

Certificates and transcripts will be distributed to learners before graduation day. You may pick up your certificate from the OPAIC campus or request that it be couriered to you.  This is to allow graduates to have their awards on hand to use for any applications for further study, jobs, or promotions which they may be relevant to.

Certificates will not be handed out on stage at the ceremony, but graduates will still have their names read out, and will cross the stage and be formally acknowledged for their achievements, and welcomed into the OPAIC alumni community.

Each graduating student can bring up to three guests. Graduates and guests do not need tickets. If you would like to bring more than three guests, please make this request on your registration form. 

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 will order your regalia online through The Graduation Place.

Cost 

Cancellations

Cancellations should be sent to info@graduationplace.co.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 for any reason, all orders will be automatically transferred to the new date.

Collection dates

Academic Dress is available for collection from The Graduation Place, 17 George Street, Parnell, Auckland at the following times. 

You can also arrange for your regalia to be couriered to you before graduation day. We recommend this option.

Graduands must register for graduation prior to collecting regalia. You cannot collect regalia if you have not registered. All orders need to be made and paid for online before collection. Please bring your invoice/order number with you when collecting your regalia.

Returning regalia

Your academic dress must be returned to The Graduation Place (17 George Street, Parnell, Auckland) within two business days of the ceremony and at the following times:

If you have paid for a return courier, please drop off your regalia at your nearest NZ Post shop or book a pick-up online at: https://www.nzpost.co.nz/tools/bookapickup/address.

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 $1,000.

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. 

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.