Michael Fowler Centre ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies follow a formal structure. Find information on guests, parking, access and announcements.

Graduation ceremony dates and times

Tuesday 13 May 2025

Ceremony 1—9.30 am

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations
  • School of Languages and Cultures
  • School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
  • School of Social and Cultural Studies
  • Te Kawa a Māui.

Ceremony 2—3 pm

Faculty of Education and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML)
  • New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī (NZSM)
  • School of English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History.

Wednesday 14 May 2025

Ceremony 3—9.30 am

Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation and Faculty of Health

Ceremony 4—3 pm

Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science

Thursday 15 May 2025

Ceremony 5—9.30 am

Wellington School of Business and Government:

  • School of Information Management
  • School of Government
  • School of Management
  • School of Marketing and International Business.

Ceremony 6—3 pm

Faculty of Law and Wellington School of Business and Government:

  • School of Accounting and Commercial Law
  • School of Economics and Finance.

Inviting guests and getting tickets

All tickets to the ceremony are free and, as a graduate, you are guaranteed three tickets for your guests. Graduates do not need a ticket to attend.

We’ll email you with a personal link to order tickets, and you must order tickets by the deadline indicated in the May or December timelines for any guests you would like to bring. There is an opportunity to give up your tickets or ask for additional tickets. Additional tickets will be granted on an equal basis and will depend on the capacity of the venue.

The Graduation Office will let you know by email how many tickets you have been allocated approximately two weeks before your ceremony. All ticket allocations are final.

Find out where and when to collect your tickets by visiting the Collecting tickets and academic dress webpage.

Bringing children to the ceremony

Children are welcome at graduation ceremonies, but need to be with an adult who isn't graduating. We don't allow any children in the graduates’ marshalling area or on stage.

Children over the age of two need a ticket to attend. There is not enough room in the auditorium for buggies, prams, or pushchairs, so children under two need to sit on an adult’s knee for the whole ceremony.

Getting to the venue and parking

The Michael Fowler Centre is on Wakefield Street and is adjacent to Te Ngākau Civic Square.

There is a taxi stand directly outside the venue on Wakefield Street and buses stop on nearby Manners Street. Street parking near the Michael Fowler Centre is very limited.

Make sure you leave plenty of time to get to the venue.

Graduates arrive at the ceremony 45 minutes early

Graduates need to be at the Michael Fowler Centre 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony for marshalling.

Wear academic dress

Graduates must wear academic dress to the ceremony.

Order your graduation dress online before Wednesday 7 May on the Grad Gear website.

Venue access

There is lift access to all floors and step-free access to seating on the lower level of the auditorium. Guests who require easy access to seating at the Michael Fowler Centre should arrive early to seat themselves (auditorium doors open 45 minutes before the ceremony).

Any graduate requiring specific assistance for themselves or a guest, complete this form. If a graduate or guest requires sudden assistance within the week of the ceremonies, email the Graduation Office as soon as possible or phone 0800 04 04 04.

Photos and video

Official photos will be taken by Woolf Photography. A livestream video will be available on the day and a video of the event will be available on YouTube after the ceremony.

Read more about photos and videos.

Order of ceremony

Arrive at the Michael Fowler Centre 45 minutes before the start of your graduation ceremony. Your guests must be seated in the auditorium 15 minutes before your ceremony begins.

  • The official procession of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington staff will enter the main auditorium and move to sit on the stage.
  • You will be called into the main auditorium by Te tangi puoro and haka whakatau, followed by a haka pōhiri.
  • Address by the Chancellor.
  • Doctorate graduates will be called up onto the stage to be congratulated and presented with their qualification certificate before moving to sit with staff on stage.
  • All other graduates will be called up onto the stage to be congratulated and presented with their qualification certificate.
  • Address by the graduate speaker.
  • Chancellor’s closing remarks.
  • The official staff procession leaves the stage and graduates follow.

If you’re no longer able to come to the ceremony

If you are unable to attend, let us know by 4 April for May ceremonies, or 31 October for December ceremonies by filling out this form.

If you submit the form by 4 April 2025 for the May 2025 ceremonies, we can transfer your graduation to another ceremony. After this date, transfers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unwell

If you are unwell, do not attend the May 2025 graduation ceremonies. Confirm your withdrawal by completing this form. If you do not wish to attend another ceremony, your certificate will be posted to you after the ceremonies.