Graduation Ra Whakapūmau

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.

Find your ceremony

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.

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.

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 quickly 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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

Can I get more than 10 guest tickets for graduation? 

Yes, you can. Graduation is a special time, and we encourage many of your whānau and friends to celebrate with you. Currently, you can book a maximum of 10 tickets in one session. If you need more than 10 guest tickets, please complete two orders to get your required amount. You can use the same checkout details for both orders.

What if I or my guests have special needs?

If you or your guests have needs that require specific access or seating, we will happily accommodate these as best we can. There will be reserved seating that our ushers will help you with on the day. However, if you are attending with a large group and wish to all be seated together, please email events@nmit.ac.nz so we can try to accommodate this. 

Do children or infants need tickets?

If you have a young child or infant attending, please book them a guest ticket if they will require their own seat. This will give us the best understanding of the event's numbers. 

What if I need to change my tickets?

If you need to adjust your guest count—for example, if you’ve ordered tickets but can no longer attend the ceremony—please email events@nmit.ac.nz so we can reallocate your tickets to other guests. If you need more tickets added, please create another order for the additional tickets you need. 

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.