Graduation

Hiring academic regalia

When you register

One of the best parts about your graduation is the chance to wear academic regalia with your friends and classmates. You can hire your academic regalia through the Graduation Registration Form (when the form is open).

Regalia is the name given to your gown and trencher (and your trencher is your headwear).  

Trencher "try-on"

We know it's tricky choosing the right size for your trencher so we offer trencher "try-on" at our Customer Services desk (The Hub, Dunedin Campus). 

The Customer Service desk hours are 8.30am-5.00pm, Monday - Friday.

Drop by whenever it suits and ask to try on the trenchers to make sure you're getting one you feel comfortable with!

This is available all year, not just in the lead-up to graduation.

Regalia fees

Below is a list of our current fees for each type of regalia. You need to pay this fee before you turn up to collect your gown and trencher as we don't have any payment facilities at the Gown Room.

Payment for regalia

You must pay for your academic regalia before you can collect it from the Gown Room.

We don't have any payment facilities in the Gown Room and you won't be able to take your regalia if you haven't pre-paid for it. 

You can pay by any of the following methods:

• Pay online via Eventbrite (select the Graduation date you are attending)
• Pay with cash or EFTPOS at Customer Services (The Hub, Dunedin Campus, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.00pm)
• Pay with credit or debit card over the phone by ringing 0800 762 786 (8.30am - 5.00pm, Mon-Fri)

If your regalia is not returned after the ceremony by the time we advise, you will be invoiced up to $1000 for the cost to replace the regalia.

Cancellations

Please try to let us know as soon as possible if you’re not coming and need to cancel your gown order (email graduation@op.ac.nz). The processing of refunds into your bank account takes up to 10 working days. If you have to cancel your order quite close to graduation day/on graduation day, please be aware that your refund may take a little longer to process due to workload.  

Gown Room information

Gown room location

The Gown Room is located in B Block at our Dunedin Campus. This is accessible from St David Street. There is also plenty of parking on Harbour Terrace.  

View Gown Room location on Google maps

Gown room opening times  

Please make sure you pay for your regalia before you come to pick it up (see payment methods above). We don't have payment facilities in the Gown Room and you won't be able to take it if you haven't paid for it. 

Regalia collection 

We'll add our opening times for the March 2024 Graduation closer to the time. 

Regalia drop-off 

Regalia pick up on your behalf

Academic regalia can be collected on your behalf by friends or family members. However, it is your responsibility for the safe return of your own academic regalia. If you've organised for someone else to collect your gown, please send the person's name and contact details to graduation@op.ac.nz

Remember, you also need to make sure you have paid for your regalia before anyone collects it.

Regalia drop off

When returning gowns, please either hand them to someone or place them in the collection bin. Please don't leave gowns on the floor.

Academic regalia can be returned on your behalf by friends or family members. However, it is your responsibility for the safe return of your own academic regalia. 

Non-returns

If your regalia is not returned by the time we advise, you will be invoiced the cost of a replacement. This can be up to $1,000 so please make sure you return it on time.

Please email graduation@op.ac.nz for any help or enquiries.

Academic regalia guide 

Regalia per qualification type

Below is a table showing what academic regalia you need to hire/wear depending on which qualification type you will be graduating with. 

You must wear the regalia for the highest qualification you will receive on the day of graduation. 

If you're getting a double qualification of the same level, you may choose one colour to wear, not two. 

Wearing/looking after your regalia

What to wear with your gown

There is no prescribed dress code, but your graduation ceremony is a formal celebration of your achievement, and we encourage you to dress appropriately.

Please also wear comfortable shoes as you'll be on your feet a lot during the day. You have to walk up some wooden steps to access the stage and then walk down more wooden steps to exit. So think about wearing some shoes that you can easily manage that in. 

How to look after your academic regalia

You are responsible for each piece of academic regalia you hire. We recommend you hang your regalia up as soon as possible to ensure it remains crease free. Please do not pin anything to your regalia.

If you need to press any pieces, please use a dry iron on low heat (i.e. no steam), with a cloth to protect the fabric.

Please note that the following can cause severe damage to regalia:

• throwing trenchers into the air, and careless use of trenchers. Please ensure that the mortar board of your trencher is flat when stored.
• makeup, tanning products, food and drink mark the regalia easily. Please be aware of this and be careful when using any products.
• cigarette burns, car door marks and foot prints are often found on returned regalia. Please be careful to avoid these.

If any damage occurs to the regalia while in your hire you are likely to incur repair, cleaning and/or replacement costs.