Use our graduation ceremony checklist to ensure you are ready for the big day, and find out what happens.
On this page:
Please be seated in the Regent Theatre at least 30 minutes before the ceremony.
Palmerston North graduation ceremonies and celebrations
Make you sure you have arranged well before the ceremony (preferably one month before) to hire the correct academic dress for your qualification. The receipt you receive after placing your order will show you when and where to pick it up and return it. Collection of your regalia is from the campus so please allow enough time for this.
Massey has a preferred supplier arrangement for hiring academic dress with Academic Dress Hire.
Place your order on the Academic Dress Hire website.
You will receive a notification in the student portal when your tickets are available to download. This will be approximately 2 weeks prior to the graduation ceremony. Please ensure you print these tickets and bring them with you on the day of graduation. Or, you can show your tickets on your phone or electronic device.
Please be seated in the Regent Theatre at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. You will receive a briefing prior to the commencement of the ceremony.
Please ensure all mobile phones are turned off or on silent before entering the Regent Theatre.
Guest tickets will be available for downloading in the student portal at the same time as your ticket. Guests may sit in any area that has not been reserved. Please note that your guests will only be admitted to the auditorium if they hold a ticket.
If you have general admission tickets you will not use, please contact the Events Office on eventsmanawatu@massey.ac.nz.
As guest seating is unreserved, those who wish to avoid stairs or are requiring an aisle seat are advised to arrive early.
For any other seating requirements, please contact the Events Office on email eventsmanawatu@massey.ac.nz.
If you or your guests lose their seat tickets or have ticket problems, please report to the graduation helpdesk in the main foyer of the Regent Theatre at least an hour before the ceremony.
A parking permit will be available for you to collect from Academic Dress Hire when you collect your gown. This all-day permit will provide free parking on the day of the ceremony. It can be used in any metered space in Palmerston North central business district.
Please display your parking permit clearly in your vehicle's windscreen. Presentation of your parking permit will also entitle you to park at Downtown Carpark for a maximum charge of $5.
You will receive a complimentary copy of the programme at the ceremony. Limited copies of the programme will be available for purchase by friends and whānau in the Regent Theatre foyer for $5. Eftpos available.
The audience is requested to rise as the academic and official procession enters the theatre at the commencement of the ceremony.
This is followed by a karanga (welcome), the University waiata (song) and Chancellor's address.
At the appropriate time, the College Pro Vice-Chancellor will announce the various degrees, diplomas and certificates. Recipients will be guided by an usher to the stage.
Those graduating for the first time will carry their trencher (graduation hat) in their left hand, with the tassel placed on the left side of the trencher.
Previously capped students should wear their trencher during the procession and into the venue. However, as you leave your seat and approach the stage you must then remove your trencher.
As the College Pro Vice-Chancellor calls your name, approach the stage and stand directly before the Chancellor.
For certificate and diploma recipients, the Chancellor will shake your hand. You should then put on your trencher.
For degrees and other qualifications the Chancellor will ceremoniously cap you by holding a ceremonial trencher over your head, and shaking your hand. You should then put on your trencher or bonnet.
All recipients then cross to receive their graduation certificate, taking it in their right hand. Recipients will be guided by an usher to their seats. Wear your trencher or bonnet for the remainder of the ceremony, until after you are outside the venue.
If you are receiving two awards at the same ceremony, you will be allocated one seat and walk the stage once for your highest qualification. You will graduate in absentia for the other qualification. The awards will be presented together.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone will remain standing until those on the stage have left the theatre. Graduates will then follow the staff out of the theatre and form a procession to The Square.
Global-Pix.com is the official photographer for the Palmerston North graduation ceremonies. All graduands will be photographed at the moment of capping during the ceremony.
Order your capping photo online after the ceremony, or on the day at the portrait studios.
There will be two portrait photo studios set up in The Square. You can book a portrait sitting online or by phone to 0800 526 496.
A degree or diploma framing service is available at The Square. Your degree can be framed while you wait. There are two different frame styles and two different mat colours to choose from. Framed capping photos or portraits can be ordered on the day.
To arrange a portrait booking, order a capping photo or framing, contact the photographer:
www.global-pix.com
Phone: 0800 526 496
Email: enquiries@global-pix.com
Our graduation ceremonies are streamed live to allow friends and whānau from around the world to view your graduation as it happens.
A video recording of the full ceremony will also be available online shortly after the ceremony.
A graduation helpdesk is located in the Regent Theatre foyer and is available one hour prior to each ceremony for assistance with graduation enquiries and seating requests. You can also contact us for assistance.
Page authorised by Director, Student Administration
Last updated on Wednesday 09 December 2020
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