Check the date, time and location of your ceremony and procession
You can attend a procession before or after your graduation ceremony. If you are unable to join the procession, please be at the Bruce Mason Centre no later than 40 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Auckland graduation ceremonies and celebrations
Hire gowns and academic dress (regalia)
Make you sure you have arranged to hire the correct academic dress for your qualification well before the ceremony – preferably one month before. 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 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.
Print tickets and organise seating
Your ticket and your guests' tickets will be available in the student portal (login required) approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to your ceremony. You'll receive a notification in the student portal once your tickets are ready to be downloaded.
You must bring your graduand ticket with you. Make sure you have your ticket printed out or easily accessible on your phone. You need to be seated in the auditorium at least 40 minutes before the ceremony starts. You'll receive a briefing prior to the commencement of the ceremony.
Your guests should proceed directly to the Bruce Mason Centre and present their tickets to an usher in the foyer. They must be seated no later than 15 minutes before the ceremony is due to start.
Turn off cellphones
Please ensure that all cellphones are turned off or on silent before entering the Bruce Mason Centre Theatre.
What not to bring
Do not bring handbags, satchels, cameras, hand-held wallets, or any other small items to your seat. Leave such items with your guests.
Lost tickets
For lost seat tickets or other ticket problems, report to the Help Desk in the main foyer of the auditorium at least an hour before the ceremony, or contact us as soon as possible.
Find out about the ceremony
Ceremony programme
The order of movement onto the stage is listed in the graduation programme. You will be given a programme while you are in the auditorium. Guests can purchase a programme in the Bruce Mason Centre foyer.
Entrance of the academic and official procession
The audience is requested to rise as the academic and official processions enter at the commencement of each ceremony.
This is followed by a karanga (welcome), the University waiata (song), and the Chancellor's address.
How to receive your award
At the appropriate time, the College Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) 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 to have your award presented, you must then remove your trencher.
As the College Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) 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.
Conclusion of the ceremony
At the conclusion of the ceremony everyone will remain standing until those on the stage have withdrawn. Recipients will then follow the staff in procession out of the venue in reverse order.
View photography options
Timeless Images Photography is the official photographer for graduation ceremonies in Auckland.
All graduands will be photographed at the moment of capping on stage. There is no need to book. Images will be available to purchase online by 5pm the next day.
For a good photo, we recommend you look up at the Chancellor as you receive your award and smile. If you have long hair, it’s best to tie it back so your face is visible.
Studio sittings
Two photography studios will be located on level 2 of the Bruce Mason Centre for individual and family photographs. These mini sessions are quick, easy, and affordable. This is a great opportunity to capture your day with a professional portrait.
The studios will be open during graduation days from 9am to 5pm. We recommend graduands book in advance as spaces are limited. Walk-ins may be possible on the day, subject to availability.
Visit the Timeless Images Photography website to book your studio sitting online.
Ordering your images
You can order your images online. Ceremony photographs will be online from 5pm the next day. Portrait images will be available from the Monday after your graduation.
Share the live streaming link with friends and whānau
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.
Getting help on the day
On graduation day, a helpdesk is located in the Bruce Mason Centre foyer one hour prior to each ceremony to assist with graduation enquiries. You can also contact us for help.