Te Rā Whakawhiwhi Tohu
Graduation
Graduation is the official celebration for students and their friends and whānau. We encourage you to attend your graduation ceremony and to make the most of your big day.
We hold several graduation ceremonies a year in Timaru and Christchurch and ceremonies are streamed live on the Ara website.
Detailed information and start times for all graduation ceremonies will be made available on this web page as soon as they have been decided.
2024 Graduation Dates
Autumn Graduation will be held on Friday 8 March 2024, at the Wolfbrook Arena.
More information on Timaru Graduation, Spring Graduation, and registrations for Autumn graduation will be updated here soon.
2023 Graduation Dates
September Graduation was held on 15 September 2023 at the Christchurch Arena. Registrations for September Graduation are now closed.
Graduation FAQ’s
If you have any questions about the upcoming Graduation, ourFAQ sectioncovers what to expect on the day, ordering and collecting your regalia, tickets and much more.
Graduation Photos and Videos
Linton Photography are the official photographers for the Spring Graduation ceremony. A studio will be set up at the venue so you can have portraits taken with family or friends. A limited number of session times are available to book, and sessions are also available on a first come, first served basis immediately before and after your ceremony. Photographs will also be taken of every graduate as they cross the stage and these will be available for purchase. To find out more or book a session time please phone 03 339 6699 or visitwww.lintonphoto.com/graduation
Photos from the Christchurch graduation on 31 March are now available for purchase. You canview and purchase them here.
Photos from the Christchurch graduation on 15 September are now available for purchase. You canview and purchase them here.
Register to Graduate
Once you have successfully completed your programme, you'll receive a letter from Ara advising you of this and inviting you to register for graduation. You'll then need to complete the online graduation form to register for your ceremony. Once we receive your graduation registration form, we’ll send you further details regarding the ceremony, including how to order your regalia.
所有毕业生接收邮寄他们的资格,regardless of attendance at a graduation ceremony. When you cross the stage at graduation, you will receive a ceremonial parchment scroll.
Guests at Graduation
Limited guest tickets are available at no cost. All graduates are guaranteed at least two tickets.
Extra tickets may be requested when you register for graduation but are not guaranteed. You will be notified if there are any issues with your request.
Guest tickets will be available for pick up along with your regalia at GWC Regalia Hire.
Special Assistance
If you or any of your guests have special mobility or access needs, please let us know by contacting us atgraduation@ara.ac.nz.
If you or any of your guests communicate by NZ Sign Language, we will have an interpreter at the ceremony.
Graduation Regalia
学位服的招聘是一个自愿的检修e provided by GWC Regalia Hire who manage the regalia for Ara graduation ceremonies. The proceeds from hire fees are used to finance scholarships and awards to graduates and students and for charitable purposes.
Once you have registered for graduation, you will be emailed a special link to order your regalia with GWC. Regalia orders will open approximately six weeks prior to the graduation ceremony date. Please wait until you receive this unique link and do not order directly on the GWC Regalia Hire website.
Multiple qualifications
When you apply to graduate, please ensure you select the qualification you wish to graduate under. You will then be able to order the regalia associated with that qualification. Graduates receiving multiple awards will not cross the stage twice in one ceremony.
How to Graduate Video
Thisshort videoexplains how to wear your regalia, what happens during the ceremony, and receiving your qualification.
Timaru Graduation will be held on 16 February 2023 at Caroline Bay Hall.
Registrations for Timaru Graduation will open on 9 December and close on 8 February 2023.
IMPORTANT: You can’t register to attend graduation until your results have been confirmed by your department. This process needs to be completed by the closing dates above in order for you to attend graduation.
Autumn Graduation will be held on 31 March 2023 at the Christchurch Town Hall.
Registrations for Autumn Graduation will open on 13 February 2023 and close on 6 March 2023.
IMPORTANT: You can’t register to attend graduation until your results have been confirmed by your department. This process needs to be completed by the closing dates above in order for you to attend graduation.
September Graduation will be held on 15 September 2023 at the Christchurch Arena.
Registrations for September Graduation will open in 19 June 2023 and close 21 August 2023.
IMPORTANT: You can’t register to attend graduation until your results have been confirmed by your department. This process needs to be completed by the closing dates above in order for you to attend graduation.
If you can’t attend your graduation ceremony, that’s ok. Attendance at graduation is optional. You will still receive your qualification in the mail. You can also choose to defer your attendance to another ceremony date. You may only defer to a future ceremony once. If you can’t make the following ceremony, we can’t hold your place for a future ceremony.
If you’d like to chat to us about graduation, you can call us on0800 24 24 76(free call in NZ) or +64 3 940 8000(international) or email us ongraduation@ara.ac.nz. Our call centre hours are Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9am-4.30pm (NZST).