However, within the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington graduating cohort of 2020, there is one gown that stands out from the crowd. A gown that is over 60 years old but has never aged. A gown that has travelled the country but has never been far from home.
A gown that has been worn during numerous ceremonies, but each time felt like it was the first.
When graduating from what was then the University of New Zealand—Victoria University College, Ina Hansen and her late husband Peter never envisaged their very own graduation gown would be worn over three generations, by 10 different family members and counting.
In 1960, Ina crossed the stage with a Bachelor of Science, while Peter completed his Bachelor of Commerce the year before.
“We bought the gown because we were both teachers at that stage. I don’t know why, but we thought it would be useful to have it throughout our teaching careers,” says Ina.
“It took a while to arrive from Joshua Taylor & Co Ltd in England—around six weeks by surface mail. We couldn’t send money so we had to send British postal notes. You used to go to the post office and buy one pound British postal notes and save them up until you had enough to send away for whatever you wanted. There was a limit on how many postal notes you could get at one time, so we went regularly to buy them.”
Much like those of 2020, Ina’s graduation ceremony had a real sense of occasion about it.
“It was a long time ago, 60 years in fact, but I have many fond memories. I wore my wedding dress under my gown, and I remember having a flower girl when I graduated. Most of the women graduating would be handed a bouquet of flowers as you walked off the stage.”
Studying on campus was a highlight for Ina and is where she met Peter. She would often be found studying in the Hunter Library, now known as the Hunter Council Chambers, while Peter finished his classes at night.
The couple’s sons, Michael and David also attended Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and were the first to wear what then became the family gown. Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, and a double degree of a Bachelor of Sciences and Bachelor of Arts respectively, the two boys were unaware of the tradition they had just begun.
The latest to join this exclusive club are Ina and Peter’s grandchildren Josh and Georgia Hansen.
“It’s definitely a fun connection to have, knowing that so many family members have worn it before me. It’s also cool that it has graduated in a range of fields, from Science to Law,” says Josh, who is graduating with a conjoint Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History.
“It is a great opportunity to share something with my grandma who was always a caring and fun presence while I lived in Wellington for five years.”
Georgia, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science Majoring in Environmental Studies from the Wellington Faculty of Science this week, feels the same way.
“I am the youngest of my extended family and it's been amazing watching all my cousins wearing this gown and achieving so much throughout their university and professional careers.
“To me, this gown represents our family’s hard work and commitment to upskilling and learning and celebrating achievements. I hope this message is passed down the generations whether this be through a graduate degree or other endeavours.”
The sense of family pride and tradition is strong within the Hansen family, says Ina. Five other grandchildren—Ben, Susannah, Olivia, Jack, and Isabella—wore the gown when they graduated from the University of Otago, and another grandchild , Abbie will wear it when she graduates with a Bachelor of Laws from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the future.
“Family is everything. They’re so supportive and I’m moved to tears when I see another grandchild wearing the gown. I love it. I absolutely love it,” says Ina, who lives in Wellington.
Georgia is not only wearing the gown, but also her grandma’s royal blue science hood. “This is so special, as family has played a pivotal part in my education. My grandma came up to Auckland multiple times a year to help me with my science and math exams throughout high school. This not only helped me get through NCEA but inspired my interest in science,” says Georgia.
Georgia and Josh’s aunt, Joanne Krieble, who works for the School of Education, has also been a great support for them.
Now living and working in Auckland, both Georgia and Josh are continuing to learn and upskill themselves in as many ways they can.
“I am currently working in the health sector, an area vastly different from my degree, so a whole new challenge which I’m really enjoying,” says Georgia.
While Ina isn’t known for giving advice, she does have a message for them: “I would love to see them all be happy in whatever they’re doing and whatever they’ve chosen to do. That’s the main thing.”