The capital city will see over 1,400 students from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington celebrate the successful completion of their degree this week.
A total of 1,563 qualifications will be awarded to 1,450 students over five ceremonies. Across the ceremonies, 88 students will graduate with a PhD.
One ceremony will be held at the University’s Te Herenga Waka marae on Friday, where 50 students will graduate. All the ceremonies will be live-streamed on the University website.
Four honorary doctorates will be presented at the graduation ceremonies this week, to international leader in women’s rights and gender equality, Dr Gill Greer ONZM CBE; distinguished historian Professor James Belich ONZM; esteemed iwi leader Sir Matiu Rei; and Dame Margaret Bazley ONZ, one of New Zealand’s most distinguished and respected public servants.
Media Studies, Te Reo Māori and Film graduand Nohorua Parata (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Toa, Te Ātiawa) will be giving the Graduate speakers’ address at Te Herenga Waka marae, saying, “I want to acknowledge our cohort for sticking out right to the very end”.
Graduation has brought nurse and midwife Anne Dymond back to New Zealand from Samoa, where she was working as part of the New Zealand Medical Assistance Team (NZMAT). She will graduate with a Master of Health (Midwifery) with distinction.
And the Victoria School of Business (now Wellington School of Business and Government) graduation will be a family affair for mother and son Andrea Dickens and Chris Freeman on Thursday 12 December. Andrea will graduate with a PhD in Management, while her son Chris will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce in Management.
The University’s Chancellor Neil Paviour-Smith extends his congratulations to all graduands on the successful completion of their studies.
“A degree from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is the culmination of tens of thousands of hours of work over collective years of study, and students should take great pride in their achievement. This week’s ceremonies are an opportunity for the city to join the students in celebration of their success.
“Our University has a proud tradition of academic excellence. I know that this week’s cohort of graduates—the newest members of our alumni community—will go on to make an important contribution to New Zealand and the world, and I wish each of them every success in their future endeavours.”
The formal procession of staff and students through the streets of Wellington, which will be held from 12 noon on Thursday 12 December, is a chance for the wider Wellington community to celebrate with the graduands.
“The shared acknowledgement of the graduands’ success is a highlight for our students. We encourage the public to join University staff, and the students’ friends and family at the parade, to enjoy the celebration,” says Mr Paviour-Smith.
About Graduation
Parade
From 12 noon on Thursday 12 December, staff and students will parade in full academic dress through Wellington, proceeding from the Law School at the Old Government Building on Lambton Quay through to Te Ngākau Civic Square, where there will be a formal greeting from His Worship the Mayor of Wellington Andy Foster.
If the graduation parade is cancelled due to wet weather, notification will be given on Victoria University of Wellington’s website and the Victoria University of Wellington Facebook page.
Graduation ceremonies
Wednesday 11 December
Ceremony One, 1.30 pm, Michael Fowler Centre
Faculties of Architecture and Design, Engineering, and Science
Wednesday 11 December
Ceremony Two, 6 pm, Michael Fowler Centre
Faculties of Education, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences
Thursday 12 December
Ceremony Three, 1.30 pm, Michael Fowler Centre
Faculty of Law and Victoria Business School (now Wellington School of Business and Government)
Thursday 12 December
Ceremony Four, 6 pm, Michael Fowler Centre
Victoria Business School (now Wellington School of Business and Government)
Friday 13 December
Ceremony Five, 9.30 am, Te Herenga Waka marae
Graduands from all faculties who choose to graduate at the marae
Ends