Graduation General Information
Tangatarua Marae Graduation Ceremony
The Tangatarua Marae graduation ceremony is open to all graduands and is based on tikanga Māori. We are pleased to offer this kaupapa Māori, culturally unique way, to celebrate success with your whānau, friends and kaimahi.
Graduate in Absentia
If you can’t make your graduation ceremony or if you don’t wish to attend your graduation ceremony, there is nothing that you need to do. Once Toi Ohomai has confirmed that you are eligible to graduate from your programme of study, your faculty will contact you when your parchment is ready to check if you’d like to pick up or have it posted in the mail.
Tickets
As a graduand, you will not be required to present a ticket at the ceremony, however you must bring along photo ID to register your attendance on the day.
If you’re attending your graduation ceremony at Holy Trinity Church in Tauranga or Sir Howard Morrison Centre in Rotorua, your four complimentary guest tickets will be included in your confirmation email once you have registered online. Please note that the maximum number of guest tickets per student at these two locations is four and you will not be able to purchase any more.
If you are attending your graduation ceremony at Great Lakes Event Centre in Taupō, South Waikato Events Centre in Tokoroa or Whakatāne Baptist Church in Whakatāne, then tickets aren’t required to gain entrance and there is no restriction on the number of guests attending. We do however ask that you please give an indication of the number of guests you anticipate will be attending graduation with you when you apply online.
Tickets are not required to gain entrance into the Tangatarua Marae ceremony and there is no restriction on the number of guests attending.
What to Expect on the Day
Please ensure that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your graduation start time to register your attendance.
Guest will be seated no later than 15 minutes prior to the ceremony commencement. Guest seating is by general admission (you can sit where you like), and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The venue for each ceremony is usually filled to capacity, so it’s good to arrive early, particularly if you are with a group. Our ushers will do their best to ensure you are seated together.
Graduates will be seated together in a particular order near the front of the venue, and will not be seated with guests. Please stay in your correct seats at all times so that you receive the correct award when you cross the stage.
The larger ceremonies will run for roughly two hours and the regional ceremonies will be roughly one hour. Tautoko (support) in the form of waiata or haka from whānau and friends is warmly welcomed at all ceremonies.
Refreshments
Complimentary light refreshments will be provided for you and your guests following each of the ceremonies. This is an opportunity to celebrate and mingle with academic staff, fellow graduates and your guests.
Graduands or Guests with Accessible Requirements
There will be a reserved area for any graduates or guests with accessible requirements at each of the graduation ceremonies. If you or your guests have any accessible requirements, please contact the graduation team ahead of time.
Dress Code at Certificate Graduation Ceremonies
No academic regalia is required for certificate graduation ceremonies. However, graduation is a formal ceremony so please attend dressed in tidy attire.
Dress Code at Diploma and Above Graduation Ceremonies
All students graduating at the Diploma and above graduation ceremonies are required to wear the appropriate academic regalia for your qualification. You'll need to submit your regalia requirements and make payment when you register to attend graduation.
Regalia collection will then be available from the venue the day prior and the day of your graduation. Specified regalia collection dates, times and locations will be released closer to the date.
Dress Code on the Marae
As with all other graduation ceremonies, the one at the marae is a formal occasion and therefore a respectful dress code applies. Graduands are encouraged to wear black – long pants for men, a skirt for women and tops that cover your upper arms. We would be delighted if you would like to wear a cloak, korowai, or other cultural attire.
Handy tips to get your regalia measurements right!
Photography
Swift & Click Photography will photograph all award presentations and will also be available for formal portraits and class photos before and after each ceremony.
There is no sitting fee and photographs will be available to download for free. They also have an online shop set up if you want to purchase printed images following the graduation ceremony. This link will be provided closer to the time.
Past Graduation Photography Links:
Celebrate Your Achievement
A number of local restaurants have come on board to help Graduates celebrate their achievement with family and friends after the ceremony.
Show this flyer along with your Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga student ID to one of the restaurants listed. Please check the dates on the flyer for when these deals are valid. Bookings essential.