Graduation

Information for guests

Attending guests

Guests don’t need tickets to attend a graduation ceremony.

Due to the capacity of the Town Hall, we ask graduates the total number of guest seats they require when they register. If a graduate wants to increase the total number of guests coming along, they can update their registration via the Student Hub or, once registration closes, let us know by email at graduation@op.ac.nz

All guests can sit in any unreserved seating in the Town Hall. Reserved seating will be marked with a sign so it'll be clear where guests can sit. 

Please let us know if any guests need assistance on graduation day. e.g. an elderly guest with limited mobility or anyone specifically requiring ground floor seating. Email graduation@op.ac.nz

Parade and ceremony details

We'll add confirmed details closer to the time for our March 2024 Graduation. Below is an example schedule for when we have one ceremony (if we have two, we may need to change these details).

10.40am: Graduands gather outside First Church (415 Moray Place, Central Dunedin) for the OPSA Parade 

11.00am: Parade starts 

11.20am: Parade arrives at Dunedin Town Hall 

11.30am: Graduands check in at the Dunedin Town Hall Glenroy Auditorium 

12.00pm: Guests to be seated in Dunedin Town Hall 

12.30pm: Graduation Ceremony starts 

2.00pm (approx.): Graduation Ceremony ends

Getting here 

If you're planning to travel to Dunedin on the day of graduation, please make sure you leave plenty of time. The centre of town is often quite busy and you may need to walk a little way to the Town Hall from your car park.

• Dunedin City Council parking info 
• Wilson parking info 
• Golden Centre Mall parking info 
• Dunedin bus info

Professional ceremony photography

McRobie Studios take a photograph of everyone who crosses the stage at the Graduation Ceremony. Photographs will be taken as degrees are conferred and awards are presented.

These photographs, along with frames and mattes with the Otago Polytechnic and Te Pūkenga logos, are available to view and order online at McRobies. There are alternate ways to order, please enquire about this directly with McRobie Studios (details on their website).

View at mcrobie.co.nz