The Graduation Ceremony
Graduation is a big day – it’s a milestone event that you can celebrate with your friends and whānau. There are important formal aspects to the ceremony, and lots to take in about where to go and what to do.
Read through the information below so you’re prepared and know what to expect on the day.
Christchurch Graduation ceremonies are held at Wolfbrook Arena (formerly known as Horncastle or Christchurch Arena), at 55 Jack Hinton Drive in Addington.
There is free carparking on site and bus stops nearby. For more information, including details on accessibility, parking and directions, check out their website.
Timaru Graduation ceremonies are held at Caroline Bay Hall.
For Spring Graduation, there is one ceremony at 2pm.
All graduands must be at the Arena one hour before the ceremony start time, this means you must arrive by 1pm. Please don’t be late – if you’re not there on time, you may miss out on taking part in the ceremony.
Detailed timings for the day are below:
- The graduation ceremony begins at 2pm.
- You need to arrive at Wolfbrook Arena 1 hour before the graduation ceremony start time. There will be signage and instructions onsite to let you know where to go.
- Please be on time! Traffic can be busy around the arena, so make sure you leave yourself lots of time to arrive. If you’re late, you will NOT be allowed to cross the stage.
- The venue opens for guests one hour before the ceremony start time. Guests of graduates must be seated 20 minutes before the ceremony start time.
You will need to assemble one hour before the ceremony start time. When you arrive:
- Find the row your department is in (A, B, C, D, E or F)
- Find the name of your qualification.
- Find your department sign and the sign on the ground that has your qualification name on it and stand behind it.
- The Marshals will then arrange you in alphabetical order, ready to proceed into the hall.
- You need to stay in this order to ensure you’re ready to cross the stage when your name is called.
- The Head Marshal will brief you on the details of the graduation ceremony. Then at a signal from the Head Marshal you will move in procession into the hall. Follow the directions of the marshals, who will direct you to your seat.
Don’t worry, we will have plenty of signage and friendly staff onsite on graduation day to ensure you know where to go and end up in the right place!
If you or any of your guests have special mobility or access needs, please let us know before the day by contacting us at graduation@ara.ac.nz. Our graduation venues have accessible seating, and we will have lots of staff on hand to help if needed.
If you or any of your guests communicate by NZ Sign Language, we will have an interpreter at the ceremony.
Ara’s graduation ceremonies are filmed for livestreaming, and photographed. Footage and photos will be available publicly on our digital media, and may also be used in Ara publications and promotional materials (digital and print). If you have any questions regarding graduation photography, please email graduation@ara.ac.nz.
Linton Photography are the official photographers for graduation.
Studios will be set up at the venue so you can have portraits taken with family or friends. A limited number of session times are available to book, and sessions are also available on a first come, first served basis before and after your ceremony.
Photographs will also be taken of every graduate as they are presented with their award on stage.
To find out more or book a session time please phone 03 339 6699 or visit www.lintonphoto.com/graduation.
Graduation bears with Ara regalia are available for purchase. You can buy a bear before and after the ceremonies at the venue, and you can also pre-order a bear.