On the day

Details on the support and services available at all NMIT graduation events, from photography to flowers and gifts.

NMIT Graduations

Our graduation ceremonies are very special days for you, our NMIT learners, your supporters and kaiako (tutors) alike.

It’s a chance to celebrate not only your achievement in receiving your qualification, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter for you as an NMIT graduate.

Graduation ceremonies recognise all qualifications, from certificates to master's degrees, as well as cultural celebrations like haka and waiata, and memorable whānau cheering.

Low sensory ceremony options

In both Nelson and Marlborough, you can choose to take part in our Low Sensory Graduation, designed to help you celebrate in a quieter, more relaxed environment. Read more by clicking on your ceremony location below.

Graduation day tips

Help your big day go smoothly and make it all as enjoyable as possible for you, and your guests, by considering these key tips.

Top tips to help you plan your graduation day, your way

Celebrate your way	A Low Sensory ceremony option is available in both Nelson and Marlborough for those that would prefer a quieter, calmer celebration. Please either select the 'low-sensory' option when you complete your tell us your graduation plans online form, or contact learnersuccess@nmit.ac.nz if you would like to explore this option for your big day.
Arrive early	Please arrive at either the parade meeting point, or the venue if you do not wish to join the parade, in plenty of time before the check-in time.
Make yourself comfortable	With so many graduates to congratulate, each ceremony can be lengthy. Please make sure you eat and drink before you arrive, and we recommend using the bathroom facilities before you take your seats for the ceremony!
Post-ceremony	After each ceremony closes, there will be time for you to celebrate and socialise over light refreshments, and take photos with your fellow graduates and support teams, should you wish.
Ceremony and post-event celebration	The post-event celebration after all ceremonies includes light refreshments.
Regalia pick up and return	After your ceremony and post-ceremony celebration, please ensure you return your regalia on the day, to the same location you collected it from. Find out more about regalia pick-up and return(external link).

Graduation day support and services

Check out the range of support and services available at the venue to help you plan your day and make it a celebration to remember - from parking, accessibility and refreshments to graduation gifts and keepsakes.

Find details of all the facilities available on the day

Parking	Marlborough: Park at the venue or on the surrounding streets. Nelson: Parking at the venue is limited, so parking at NMIT and joining us for the parade or using one of the parking options available around Nelson City [PDF 65 KB] is encouraged.
Parades	Marlborough: after the ceremony. The route is a circuit around the centre of Blenheim, returning to the venue, taking around 30 minutes. Nelson: before the ceremony. Meet at NMIT Nelson campus (see the Nelson Graduation page for more information and timing), and parade to the Trafalgar centre, around 30 minutes.
Nelson shuttle vans	There is an NMIT shuttle van service from the NMIT Nelson campus to the Trafalgar Centre, for those who are unable to walk the parade. The shuttle vans will run continuously between NMIT Nelson campus and the venue, departing approximately every 15 minutes before each ceremony. Shuttle van seats are limited, so graduates and guests with accessibility needs will be prioritised.
Accessibility support	Accessibility support is available at all our venues, with ushers ready to assist.
NMIT support staff	Team NMIT will be on hand to guide you to the assembly area to before you cross the stage and receive your award.
Nelson Livestream	If you can't make it to the event, watch your graduate cross the Nelson stage via our livestream link, which will be published closer to the big day.
Ceremony and post-event celebration	The post-event celebration after all ceremonies includes light refreshments.
Photography	Our professional photographers will be snapping photos throughout the events. The link to professional photographs will be sent in the weeks after graduation. A photo backdrop will also be available at all graduation events, so you can enjoy snapping your own photos together with your guests and fellow graduates.
Gifts and keepsakes	See the Graduation gifts and keepsakes page to learn about purchasing graduation teddy bears or flowers - either pre-order before [recommended] or at the event [limited stock available at the venue on the day].
Regalia pick up and return	After your ceremony and post-ceremony celebration, please ensure you return your regalia on the day, to the same location you collected it from. Find out more about regalia pick-up and return(external link).

Venue information and facilities

Please check out the graduation venue websites if you would like more information on the facilities, layout and parking available at each:

Guest information

Forward the Nelson and Marlborough Graduation event links below to your graduation day guests, to share all the latest information to help them celebrate your big day in style.

Discover key graduation FAQs View now