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.

Dunedin Graduation

Friday 13 March 2026

Auckland Graduation

Friday 28 August 2026

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.

All graduands who would like to walk in the parade are to meet at Aotea Square by 10.20am. All graduands must arrive on time and be wearing their academic dress. We will take a group photo at 10.20am. The parade will depart at 10.30am. 

From Waharoa Arch in Aotea Square, graduands will walk towards the Town Hall and up the pedestrian ramp to Queen Street. They will cross Queen Street at the lights and walk up Queen Street to Mayoral Drive. They will turn left at Mayoral Drive and continue to the intersection of Wakefield Street, where they will cross diagonally at the lights. They will continue along Mayoral Drive past AUT to the corner of Wellesley Street, where they will cross at the lights and walk down to Queen Street. They will turn left up Queen Street and walk past AIC, before crossing at the lights back to Aotea Square.

The parade 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 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. 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 five business days of the ceremony. 

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. 

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

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 after the graduation ceremony.

There is no charge for on-site studio photography. Print or digital 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 

Prints
6 x 4" – $12
7.5 x 5" – $20
12 x 8" – $45
18 x 12" – $60
High-resolution file – $60

Matted prints
10 x 8" – $40
14 x 11" – $55

Framed prints
A4 – $135
A3 – $195
A2 – $355
A1 – $550

Canvases
A3 – $229
A2 – $309
A1 – $449

Packages also available. See online store for details.

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.