Tauranga

You should arrive one hour before your ceremony is due to commence, and make your way upstairs to the student registration area. Please leave all coats and other personal belongings with friends or family.

When you arrive at the registration and marshalling area there will be a number of boards with marshalling lists on them. It is important that you look up your name, which will be listed in alphabetical order under the qualification you are receiving. Next to your name will be a number. This number is your graduation number. The graduation number refers to the order in which you will go on to the stage to have your qualification conferred. It is important you find your graduation number as soon as you arrive. It will assist you to find your correct place in the marshalling lines. Student Marshals will be there to help you.

Ten minutes before the ceremony is due to commence, the procession will be led from the marshalling area to proceed into the venue. The procession will wait there until the processional music commences.

Marshals will advise when to enter and will guide graduands to their places in the reserved section. Graduands should remain standing until all members of the procession have reached their seats. Everyone will then be seated.

At the conclusion of the opening speeches you will be asked to stand as a collective group.  The Chancellor will then say "I Chancellor of the University of Waikato by virtue of the authority vested in me, do now confer the following degrees and award the diplomas and certificates to the candidates here today and those listed in the programme but not in attendance".  You will then place your trencher/bonnet on your head.

Student Marshals will lead each row  (in strict numerical order) to the  left-hand side of the  stage at the appropriate time during the ceremony.  The graduates will be announced for each specific qualification (e.g. to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts).

When your name is called cross to the centre of the stage to the Chancellor and shake hands.  As a graduate you will then walk across the stage to the Vice-Chancellor/Dean to be presented with your certificate and have your photograph taken.  Proceed up the aisle and return to your seat.

At the conclusion of the ceremony a marshal will indicate to you when you are to process out of the arena.