Tauranga

Graduation Procedure

You should arrive one hour before your ceremony is due to commence, and make your way upstairs to the student registration area. Please leave all coats and other personal belongings with friends or family.

When you arrive at the registration and marshalling area there will be a number of boards with marshalling lists on them. It is important that you look up your name, which will be listed in alphabetical order under the qualification you are receiving. Next to your name will be a number. This number is your graduation number. The graduation number refers to the order in which you will go on to the stage to have your qualification conferred. It is important you find your graduation number as soon as you arrive. It will assist you to find your correct place in the marshalling lines. Student Marshals will be there to help you.

Ten minutes before the ceremony is due to commence, the procession will be led from the marshalling area to proceed into the venue. The procession will wait there until the processional music commences.

Marshals will advise when to enter and will guide graduands to their places in the reserved section. Graduands should remain standing until all members of the procession have reached their seats. Everyone will then be seated.

At the conclusion of the opening speeches you will be asked to stand as a collective group.  The Chancellor will then say "I Chancellor of the University of Waikato by virtue of the authority vested in me, do now confer the following degrees and award the diplomas and certificates to the candidates here today and those listed in the programme but not in attendance".  You will then place your trencher/bonnet on your head.

Student Marshals will lead each row  (in strict numerical order) to the  left-hand side of the  stage at the appropriate time during the ceremony.  The graduates will be announced for each specific qualification (e.g. to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts).

When your name is called cross to the centre of the stage to the Chancellor and shake hands.  As a graduate you will then walk across the stage to the Vice-Chancellor/Dean to be presented with your certificate and have your photograph taken.  Proceed up the aisle and return to your seat.

At the conclusion of the ceremony a marshal will indicate to you when you are to process out of the arena.

Regalia Hire

The Academic Dress Hire staff will be available on site from 8.00 a.m.  Please ensure you have arranged your regalia hire before you arrive.

Additional Tickets

If you are graduating, you don't require a ticket for your ceremony. You are entitled to three or four complimentary tickets for guests to attend your graduation ceremony (depending on your ceremony). If you have additional guests who would like to celebrate with you, they are welcome to join us on campus. The ceremonies will be live-streamed to a large screen in Te Manawaroa, and food and drink will be served throughout the day.

Your tickets will be available from Eventbrite. Graduands themselves do not require a ticket.

Refreshments

All graduating students and their guests are invited to an informal social gathering after each of the ceremonies. Light refreshments will be served and you can mingle with academic staff and other graduates. There is no admission fee.

Parking

Further details on parking will be included in the graduation information pack sent to graduands.