2025 Graduation Ceremony Information
NZSE College holds an annual graduation for students across our schools to come together and celebrate their academic success. We look forward to hosting your whānau and friends as we honour your milestone together.
Date: 26 September 2025
Time: 02:00pm All graduands must be present and their guests must be seated in the theatre 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Venue: The Aotea Centre
Address: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD 1010
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get tickets for me and my friends/whanau?
If you have either completed or are close to completing your programme when graduation approaches, you will receive an email from NZSE on Friday, 1 August. Through this email, you will be able to book tickets for yourself, your friends, and whānau. The closing date for RSVP is 28 August.
E-tickets will be issued to you. You (the graduand) will need to bring your e-ticket. Each of your guests will require their own ticket for admission, including children over the age of two.
You will receive two free tickets for your guests. You will then be able to purchase two extra tickets for the cost of $5 each. You can purchase these online or email your request. If you still require more, then you will be placed on a waiting list and if numbers allow you will be able to purchase extra tickets. If you have tickets, you will not use, please contact [email protected] so we can reallocate these tickets to those on the guest seating waitlist.
If you have invited guests from overseas, we can provide you with a letter for immigration visas. Please contact [email protected]
Where will me and my whānau/friends be sitting?
Graduands will be seated in a reserved section of the auditorium, and guests will be seated in the balcony area. Our staff helpers will direct you to your seat. Guest seating is unreserved. Note your guests will only be admitted to the auditorium if they hold a ticket.
If you need special seating arrangements due to disability, or need space for a wheelchair, email [email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than 28 August. Include:
- Your student name and id number.
- The qualification with which you will be graduating.
- The details of your special requirements.
When should I arrive at the venue?
Is there car parking?
What is the dress code?
Your graduation is a formal celebration, so you must wear the correct academic dress (called regalia). It’s your responsibility to buy or hire the items you need in time for your graduation ceremony.
NZSE College has a preferred supplier arrangement for hiring academic dress with The Graduation Place. They can courier your academic dress or you can pick it up from their store. Click here for NZSE’s hiring page. They will provide all the information you need about:
- What you should wear
- How to wear academic dress
- How to hire gowns and academic dress
- Due dates for hiring academic dress
- Where to pick up and return hired academic dress
There are a small number of gowns that can be hired from NZSE. This will be done on a first come, first served basis. Don’t wait until the last minute!
You may choose to wear clothing of garments of honour from your culture or home country such as a korowai, ta’ovala or sari as well. This is a welcome enrichment to the colour of the graduation ceremonies and a celebration of our different cultures.
What happens on the day at graduation?
When you arrive, dressed in your regalia, you will need to check-in and complete a graduation survey. Check-in will begin at 12pm and close at 1.30pm. Between this time, you are welcome to take photos and socialise. Make sure to take your photos before the ceremony, as the venue will close shortly after the ceremony finishes.
Your whanau and friends can enter the venue from 12.00pm and must all be seated by 1.30pm. Please leave any handbags, satchels, cameras or any small items with your guests.
All graduates will receive a complimentary copy of the programme at the ceremony.
At the start of the ceremony the audience is expected to rise as the academic and official processions enter. The audience will be advised when to sit.
At the appropriate time, various qualifications will be announced. Graduates will be guided by an usher to the stage before your qualification is announced. When your name is announced, approach the sage and stand directly before the academic director. The director will shake your hand and hand you your scroll. When the entire cohort has been called, graduates will stand in the centre of the stage for a final cohort photo before exiting the stage. Recipients will be guided back to their seats by an usher.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone will remain standing until those on stage have withdrawn. Graduates will then follow the staff in procession out of the auditorium. Students and guests are to remain in the auditorium until the ceremony has concluded.
Our graduation ceremony will be live streamed 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.
Can I leave after I get my certificate?
What if I can't make the event?
If you need to cancel, please contact [email protected]. You will be unable to make a cancellation after the closing date of August 28, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you have tickets, you will not use, please contact [email protected] so we can reallocate these tickets to those on the guest seating waitlist. There is a no refund policy.
How long does the ceremony take?
Ceremonies can vary in length, depending on the number of students graduating. The ceremony will likely last for 3 hours.
What does it mean to be an alumni?
Ceremonies can vary in length, depending on the number of students graduating. The ceremony will likely last for 3 hours.