Mauri ora. Kua mātou e whakahōnore ana i ngā ākonga o Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki. Nei rā te mihi ki a koutou katoa.

Congratulations on completing your qualification. We look forward to celebrating your success with you, your whānau, and friends.

Graduation Day: Friday, 14 February 2025
Venue: TSB Showplace, Devon Street West, New Plymouth

Ceremony 1: Certificate ceremony starts at 10am
Ceremony 2: Diploma, Degree, and Postgraduate ceremony starts at 2.30pm

Apply to graduate

Applying to attend the Graduation Ceremony
To attend a ceremony, you must complete the online application form before 5.00pm on Friday, 17 January 2025. If you're unsure whether you’ll be attending, please complete the form anyway. You can always withdraw after the closing date. Unfortunately, there is no provision to accommodate requests after RSVPs have closed.

I’m not going to Graduation (In Absentia). Do I still need to complete the online application form?
Yes, you do. We need to be confident that we’re sending your certificate to the correct address. Before it’s posted, you can choose to pick it up in person after the ceremony by calling into the WITT reception. All certificates that have not been collected by the end of February will be posted.

Graduation Programme

Ceremony 1 – Certificates

9.00am – Graduands must sign in at the venue before 9.45am. Sign-in is compulsory.

9.30am – Doors open for whānau and friends. Allocated seating.

10.00am – Ceremony begins.

11.45am – Ceremony concludes with refreshments.

12.30pm – Graduation Parade, Huatoki Plaza.

2.00pm – Professional photo shoot, closes at 4.00pm. Bookings essential.

Ceremony 2 – Diploma, Degree, and Postgraduate

9.30am – Professional photo shoot, closes at 11.30am. Bookings essential.

12.30pm – Graduation Parade, Huatoki Plaza.

1.30pm – Graduands must sign in at the venue before 2.15pm. Sign-in is compulsory.

2.00pm – Doors open for whānau and friends. Allocated seating.

2.30pm – Ceremony begins.

4.00pm – Ceremony concludes with refreshments (approx.).

5.00pm – Gown return closes.

Frequently asked questions

Compulsory Sign-In (Theatre Royal)

Only the names of graduands who have signed in will be called onto the stage. Therefore, sign-in is compulsory. After signing in, graduands will be sorted into their seating order and will not be permitted to leave the area. There will be a briefing on the graduation proceedings.

How do I get guest tickets?
You will be allocated up to two guest tickets and can apply for additional tickets when you complete the online application form. However, any additional tickets will be confirmed and emailed to you after RSVPs close. Tamariki (children) who sit on the lap of an adult do not require a guest ticket.

What if my guests have special needs?
There is a section on the online application form where you can advise us of any special requirements for your guests.

Seating at the ceremony
Seating is allocated, and guests will be ushered to their seats on the day of the ceremony.

Live Streaming
A link to the live stream will be uploaded to this page during the week of graduation and will be active on the day of the ceremony. You can refer your whānau and friends to this page for viewing.

Dress Standard

Graduands are asked to wear tidy, respectful dress and may wear taonga and garments that honour their culture. Jeans, singlets, extremely high heels, and jandals are not appropriate.

Ceremony 1
Graduands attending this ceremony are not required to wear academic regalia (the black robes).

Ceremony 2
Wearing academic regalia is compulsory for this ceremony. Regalia can be selected when completing the online application form.

Information for ceremony two graduands

How much does it cost to hire regalia?
Regalia hire costs range from $75 to $85, depending on your qualification.

You will be charged the full replacement value for any academic dress not returned or if it is damaged. You will also be liable for debt collection costs, which can range from $235 for the gown alone.

Paying for my regalia:
There are three ways to pay:

1. Online – When you submit the online application form, you will be directed to a secure page to make your payment.
2. In person – At the WITT reception. Note: We do not accept cash payments.
3. Bank transfer – Use the following details to make your payment:
   • Bank account: 03-0713-0062295-00
   • Reference: Use the code GRAD followed by your Student ID.

Regalia must be paid for by Friday, 31 January 2025.

Where do I pick up and return my regalia?

Regalia must be collected from WITT on 12–13 February 2025 between 10.00am and 5.00pm. If you are unable to pick up your regalia, please arrange for someone else to collect it on your behalf. Regalia cannot be collected on Graduation Day.

At the end of the ceremony, regalia must be returned to the TSB Showplace foyer by 5.00pm.

The parade is a rite of passage. Meet at Huatoki Plaza for a 12.30pm Health & Safety briefing.

Parking
Parking in the CBD is paid, but there is ample parking available at Centre City. There are limited disability parking spaces outside the TSB Showplace, and these are designated as drop-off points only.

Professional Photos

Booking a photoshoot (Alexandra Room)
Graduands can book a session with a professional photographer. Bookings are essential, and photos can include whānau and friends.

There is no cost for the photos, and they will be available for viewing and download from the website one week after the graduation ceremony. Please respect your fellow graduands' privacy by only downloading your own images from the shared link.

Don’t want photos?
If you don’t want photos taken, please inform our graduation volunteers when you sign in on graduation day.

Academic Regalia
The traditional clothing worn by students and faculty at academic events such as graduations. It consists of a gown, cap, and often a hood, stole, or cords. Regalia symbolises academic achievement and conveys the wearer's credentials.

Doffing
Tipping the trencher (graduation cap) as a sign of salutation or respect.

Graduand
A person who is eligible to graduate but has not yet graduated. Only when your qualification has been awarded do you become a graduate.

Graduate
A student who has received their qualification.

In Absentia
When a student graduates but does not attend the ceremony and instead receives their certificate by mail.

Trencher
The flat, black graduation hat.

If you have any questions, please email the graduation team at graduation@witt.ac.nz.