Graduation Ra Whakapūmau
Successfully completing your course is a huge milestone, and we can’t wait to celebrate your achievements with you, your whānau, and friends.
With graduation dates confirmed, now is a great time to plan travel for yourself, your whānau, and guests. If coming from out of town, we recommend arriving the night before to allow extra time for any travel disruptions.
Graduation ceremonies
Venue: Trafalgar Centre, Paru Paru Road, Nelson
Date: Friday 12 December 2025, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
On the day
What an exciting day this is for you and your supporters! Please arrive at the venue in plenty of time before the check-in time and proceed to the rear of the venue.
NMIT support staff will be on hand to guide you to your fellow graduates and tutors, where you will be organised and informed by your tutor for the next steps before you cross the stage and receive your award.
After the ceremony closes, there will be time for you to celebrate and take photos with your proud fellow graduates and support teams before heading to the street parade procession. Led by a brass band, together, you will walk back through cheering crowds on the main streets of Nelson to campus for a SANITI-led celebration.
See the FAQ section for more information.
| Check-in time | Ceremony | Street parade procession |
|---|---|---|
| Morning: 9.00 am | 10.00 am | 12.00 Noon (post-event) |
| Afternoon: 1.00 pm | 2.00 pm | 4.00 pm (post-event) |
Find your ceremony
Morning ceremony |
Afternoon ceremony |
|
Cookery (NZ Certificate) Food and Beverage (NZ Certificate) Hairdressing (NZ Certificate) Beauty Therapy (NZ Certificate and NZ Diploma) Carpentry (NZ Certificate) Automotive Engineering (NZ Certificate) Engineering (Civil) (NZ Diploma) Nautical Science (NZ Diploma) Aeronautical Maintenance (NZ Diploma) Foundation Studies (NZ Certificates) Study and Career Preparation (NZ Certificate) Horticulture (NZ Certificate) Aquaculture (NZ Certificate and Bachelor) Bachelor of Nursing Mechanical Engineering (NZ Certificate) |
Tikanga (Kaupae 2 – 3) (NZ Certificate) Te Reo (Te Kaupae 1 - 6) (NZ Certificates and NZ Diploma) Bachelor of Social Work Bachelor of Counselling Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision Career Development (NZ Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Bachelor) Sport and Recreation (NZ Diploma and AUT Bachelor) Arts and Media (Bachelor) Music (NZ Diploma) Arts and Design (NZ Diploma) Information Technology Support (NZ Diploma) Web Development and Design (NZ Diploma) Bachelor of Information Technology Bachelor of Computer Generated Imagery NZ Diploma in Business Bachelor of Accounting Bachelor of Commerce Postgraduate Diploma in Management Master of Applied Management |
Venue: Marlborough Events Centre, 42A Alfred Street, Blenheim
Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025, 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
On the day
What an exciting day this is for you and your supporters! Please arrive at the venue in plenty of time before the check-in time and proceed to the rear of the venue.
NMIT support staff will be on hand to guide you to your fellow graduates and tutors, where you will be organised and informed by your tutor for the next steps before you cross the stage and receive your award.
After the ceremony closes, there will be time for you to celebrate and take photos with your proud fellow graduates and support teams before heading to the street parade procession.
See the FAQ section for more information.
| Check-in time | Ceremony | Street parade procession |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 pm | 2.00 pm | Following ceremony |
Nelson Low Sensory Graduation
Venue: Trafalgar Centre, Paru Paru Road, Nelson
Date: Thursday 11 December 2025, 1.00 pm
Marlborough Low Sensory Graduation
Venue: Marlborough Events Centre, 42A Alfred Street, Blenheim
Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025, 11.00 am
Graduation is a big moment! It's your time to celebrate everything you've achieved. But we also know that loud noises, bright lights, big crowds, and busy spaces can be overwhelming.
If you experience sensory sensitivity or anxiety, you can choose to take part in our Low Sensory Graduation, designed to help you celebrate in a quieter, more relaxed environment.
What's included
- A calm, low-stimulation space at the graduation venue
- The opportunity to receive your award in a quieter, less crowded setting
- Support from one of our friendly Learner Success team members, who will help you plan a graduation experience that works for you
When you complete the 'Receiving Your Award' form, you can select the Low Sensory Graduation option. One of our team members will then contact you to chat about what would make graduation feel right for you.
You're also welcome to reach out at any time by emailing learnersuccess@nmit.ac.nz.
We're here to support you in celebrating your success, your way.
Graduation forms
If you’ve completed your qualification, or you’re on track to finish this year, you can choose to receive your award:
- At the NMIT graduation ceremony
- At a Low Sensory graduation event
- In absentia you can either collect it later, have it posted free of charge, or we can send it by courier for an additional fee. Please let us know exactly how you’d like to receive your award if you’re not attending in person.
Please complete one of the ‘Receiving your award’ forms below by 30 October 2025 to let us know your preference.
Receiving your award online forms:
- Certificate(external link)
- Diploma(external link)
- Masters(external link)
- Postgraduate Diploma(external link)
- Bachelors(external link)
- Graduate Diploma (external link)
- Graduate Certificate or Postgraduate Certificate(external link)
* If you are not sure you are on track to complete your qualification this year, please see your Programme Support Coordinator or pop into the Ākonga Hub (A block) and we can help you.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Please complete and submit one of the ‘Receiving your award’ forms by 30 October 2025.
Yes. We need to know how you would like to receive your award, i.e. collect it yourself or have it posted/couriered to you. If you choose the post/courier option, we will be sending your award on Monday, 15 December 2025. Please provide a precise address where your award can be sent.
If you, or your guests have needs that require specific access or seating, please advise us by emailing events@nmit.ac.nz.
We are really happy to accommodate these as best we can.
You will be able to pick up your award from the main reception desk at:
- Marlborough Campus: 05 January-27 February 2026
- Nelson Campus: 05 January-27 February 2026
Please bring your student ID when you collect your award.
If you haven’t picked up your award by 02 March 2026, we will post it to your last known address.
NMIT hires graduation regalia on your behalf from the Nelson Soroptomist Education Trust. Therefore, you're not just preparing for your special day—you're also supporting a great cause. The fee for hiring your regalia goes to the Nelson Soroptimist Education Trust, which helps fund the Soroptimist Scholarship(external link). Your contribution helps support future students and makes education more accessible for all.
NMIT requires payment by 27 October 2024 to secure your graduation regalia.
If you change your mind about attending graduation after you have paid, you will receive a full refund, provided a request to enrolments@nmit.ac.nz for a refund is received before the graduation ceremony.
Regalia Requirements
Masters Graduands: A Gown, Hood, and Trencher.
Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision Graduands: Either regalia of your previous qualification or an NMIT Gown, an NMIT Diploma Stole, and an optional Trencher. You will need to specify your previous qualification and where you received it if you wish to attend in previous regalia.
Postgraduate Diploma Graduands: A Gown, Hood, and a Stole. Trencher is optional.
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise Graduands: A Gown, SIT Hood, and a Stole.
Graduate Diploma Graduands: A Gown and a Hood.
Bachelor Graduands: A Gown, Hood, and a Trencher.
Diploma Graduands: A Gown and a Stole.
Certificate Graduands: Formal clothing.
Regalia Hire Costs
| Gown | $35.00 |
| Hood | $20.00 |
| Stole | $10.00 |
| Trencher | $20.00 |
NMIT does not allow you to wear more than one hood at a time. Please wear the regalia appropriate to the award you are receiving. We encourage you to embellish your regalia with garments of honour from your cultural tradition, such as a korowai or ta'ovala if you wish.
Regalia hood colours
|
Masters - Applied Business |
Aquaculture | Arts and Media | Career Development | Counselling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce | Information Technology | Nursing | Social Work | Viticulture & Winemaking |
| Diploma Stole | ||||
Please measure head circumference all the way around your head. Position the measuring tape just above the eyebrows, or use a string or cord and then measure on a ruler.(external link)
If you are graduating with more than one qualification, you are required to complete a 'Receive your Award' form for each qualification.
Please choose the regalia that aligns with the highest qualification that you are receiving.
|
Marlborough Ceremony |
|
Monday 8 December: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Tuesday 9 December: 10.00 am - 12.00 noon |
|
You will be able to return your regalia afterwards to the same area you collected it. |
|
Nelson Ceremony |
|
Thursday 11 December: 11.00 am - 2.30 pm, 4.00 - 7.30 pm Friday 12 December: 8.00am - 12.00 noon |
Please return all regalia after the NMIT celebration between 1:00 - 6.30 pm on Friday 12 December 2025 to the Johnny cash room, G block, Nelson campus. |
| Non-return of regalia | |
| You may incur extra costs if the regalia is returned wet or damaged. You will incur the full replacement costs if the regalia is not returned on the day. |
The costs are: Gown: $445.00 Trencher: $100.00 Diploma Stole: $40.00 Hood: $165.00 |
We will email you an invoice once we have processed your ‘receiving your award’ form. The invoice outlines options for making payment online or in person. NMIT requires payment by 30 October 2025 to secure your graduation regalia.
Guest Tickets will be available on Thursday, 20 November 2025. These are free and all guests attending require one.
If you need to change your guest numbers, for example, you have ordered 5 tickets and decided not to attend the graduation ceremony, please email events@nmit.ac.nz to ensure we can allocate your tickets to other guests.
If you are no longer able to attend the graduation ceremony but have already paid for your regalia, you can apply for a full refund. To receive your refund, please email enrolments@nmit.ac.nz with your bank details before the graduation ceremony.
Please note: No refunds will be available after the graduation ceremony has taken place.
A professional photographer will be at the graduation ceremony to take a formal graduation photo. You will be photographed on stage as you are being congratulated.
You will be advised when you can view the photographs. Photographs are free of charge and are digital.
There will also be an opportunity at the graduation reception to have another photo.
A parade and graduation reception with light refreshments will take place after your ceremony. Your guests are also invited to the graduation reception.
Marlborough
A formal street parade procession will follow the ceremony around the central business district, returning to the Convention Centre for the Graduation Reception. You may wish to consider a change of footwear for this. Don't forget sunscreen!
SANITI - Student Association invites graduates and their guests attending the ceremony to the after-function reception held at the centre for a celebratory drink and nibbles complete with live music.
Nelson
A formal street parade procession will follow the Nelson-based ceremony from the Trafalgar Centre to the Nelson NMIT Campus for the Graduation Reception. You may wish to consider a change of footwear for this. Don't forget sunscreen!
SANITI - Student Association invites graduates and their guests attending the ceremony to the after-function reception garden party held on Nelson Campus for a celebratory drink, nibbles and live music.
