If you are graduating with a National or New Zealand Diploma, Open Polytechnic Graduate Diploma, Diploma or Degree, you can receive your award at a graduation ceremony.
COVID-19 Protection Framework
Our graduation venues will be operating under the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework traffic light system*. This means that it is a condition of entry to our graduation venues that graduates and their guests wear a mask. Masks must also be worn in the gowning room, and audience members are asked to wear masks while seated throughout the ceremony.
Graduates that have a mask exemption are asked to contact us prior to attending a ceremony.
Due date to apply to graduate
For 2022 you need to apply to graduate by 31st July this year. We will send you more information about the graduation ceremony in August/September. Applying to graduate
On this page:
- Dates and venues
- The graduation ceremony
- Graduation regalia
- If you are no longer able to attend the ceremony
- Guests
- Special assistance at a graduation ceremony
- Live stream video
- Outstanding fees
Dates and venue details
Graduation 2022
Open Polytechnic 2022 graduation ceremonies were scheduled for May 2022. However, due to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and for the health and wellbeing of our graduates, their guests, and our staff, we delayed our ceremonies until later in the year.
See below for the updated ceremony dates.
- Auckland - Wednesday, 12 October, 3.30pm, Sir Woolf Fisher Arena, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Wiri Manukau
- Christchurch - Thursday 27 October, 3.30pm, Air Force Museum, 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram
- Wellington - Wednesday 9 November, 3.30pm, Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street
The Graduation Ceremony
The graduation ceremony will start at 3.30pm. Refreshments will be available for you and your guests after the ceremony.
COVID-19 Protection Framework
Our graduation venues will be operating under the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework traffic light system*. This means that it is a condition of entry to our graduation venues that graduates and their guests wear a mask. Masks must also be worn in the gowning room, and audience members are asked to wear masks while seated throughout the ceremony.
Graduates that have a mask exemption are asked to contact us prior to attending a ceremony.
Before the ceremony
The gowning room will be open between 1.00pm – 2.30pm. You need to arrive at the venue promptly to be dressed in your regalia in time for processional instructions at 3.00pm.
At 3.00pm, all graduands will line up in qualification groups, in alphabetical order by surname. A check of names will be completed before you are led into the venue to your allocated seating.
During the ceremony
The ceremony will begin with a pōwhiri and karakia (blessing), and some short welcome speeches.
When it is your turn to receive your award:
- staff will ask your row to stand and you will be led to the stairs to the left of the stage
- a final name check will be done to make sure you are in order before going on to the stage.
You need to have your hands free to receive your award, so leave handbags, cellphones etc. with your guests.
Official photographer
An official photographer will be present to photograph you on stage as you receive your award. Studio style photograph set-ups will also be available for you and your family before and after the ceremony.
Details of how to order prints will be posted on our website after each event.
After you get your award
All graduands must remain seated with their qualification group until the conclusion of the ceremony. As a sign of respect for all learners who are graduating all guests remain seated until the end of the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates will be led out of the venue, while guests remain seated.
Graduation regalia
Graduands must wear academic regalia at the graduation ceremony. This is hired through the Open Polytechnic. Fees for graduation regalia:
- $40.00 for diploma graduands*
- $50.00 for graduate diploma graduands
- $65.00 for degree graduands
*If you have achieved a degree or higher qualification and would like this recognised you can choose to wear graduate diploma regalia.
We will send you a graduation ceremony requirements form to complete and return with your measurements and payment details. Regalia is not available to graduands prior to or after the graduation ceremony, and you cannot leave the venue grounds wearing regalia.
On graduation day
On graduation day staff will assist you with your regalia. The gowning area will be well signposted.
Please be aware that the temperature in the venue could be warm, especially when wearing regalia.
You are welcome to wear cultural dress or other cultural decoration, for example a korowai or lei. These are worn over your black gown and under your hood.
Returning regalia
All regalia must be returned to the gowning room before you leave the venue. If the regalia is not returned at the end of the graduation ceremony you will be held liable for the cost of full replacement.
Regalia colours
Diplomas
Black gown with a blue and teal sash.
Graduate Diplomas
Black gown with a blue, teal and gold sash and trencher.
Degrees
Black gown, white fur trimmed hood lined with relevant degree colour and trencher.
Hood colours:
- Bachelor of Applied Management – Marigold
- Bachelor of Applied Science – Adonis Blue
- Bachelor of Arts - Orchid Pink
- Bachelor of Business – Old Gold
- Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Claret
- Bachelor of Information Technology - Pansy
- Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) – Post Office Red
- Bachelor of Social Work – Emerald
- Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing - Fuchsia
- Bachelor of Library and Information Studies - Royal Purple
If you are no longer able to attend the ceremony
If you find you can not attend the graduation ceremony, contact Academic Registry:
- Freephone 0508 650 200
- Academic Registry email
If you notify us that you can not attend 10 working days before the ceremony you will get a full refund for hiring regalia.
If on the ceremony day you find you are unable to attend you must let us know as soon as possible by contacting our customer services team:
- Freephone 0508 650 200.
Guests
COVID-19 Protection Framework
Guests are required to wear a mask to enter our graduation venues.
Number of guest passes
Each graduate can receive up to 8 guest passes. If you require additional guest passes there is an option to request these on the graduation requirements form.
Guests need to bring along their tickets to gain entry. Guests must be seated 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and there are no allocated or reserved seating for guests at our venues.
Special assistance at a graduation ceremony
Please advise us as early as possible if you or your guests have any special requirements. For example, using a wheelchair; are sight or hearing impaired or have any other medical condition that requires special arrangements.
Live stream video
We live stream all of the graduation ceremonies so that any family and friends from wherever they are across New Zealand or the world can tune in online. A video will also be available to view after the event.
By attending our graduation ceremony you are agreeing that we have your permission to film you and include you in any broadcast by the Open Polytechnic for live web streaming purposes.
Outstanding fees
All Open Polytechnic fees will need to be cleared before you are able to graduate.
Need help?
If you have any questions about applying to graduate or attending a graduation ceremony contact our Academic Registry:
- Feephone 0508 650 200
- Academic Registry email
Related information
*The Government guidelines on the COVID-19 Protection Framework may be subject to change. If any information contained on this page changes due to Government decisions, Open Polytechnic will be in contact with graduands.