Nothing rained on their parade

While nearly 900 chose to graduate in absentia, the rest of the 2,971, students graduated in person at one of the University’s four ceremonies.

Ages ranged from 20 – 80 and there were approximately 79 percent domestic and 21 percent international Spring Graduands with a pretty equal spread of men and women. The Business School had the highest representation with more than 800 graduates although Science ran close to that.

The traditional graduation procession (just one for the Spring graduation) departed from the University of Auckland Pavilion, on Old Government House grounds, at 9.30am to the Aotea Centre where the graduation ceremonies took place.

Speakers at the ceremonies included Retired District Court Judge David Harvey (LLB; MJur; PhD), Dean and Media Studies teacher at Onehunga High School, Red Nicolson, Lieutenant Colonel Esther Jean Harrop, MNZM, of the New Zealand Army, and Rachel Brown, ONZM – Founder & CEO, Sustainable Business Network.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon, who officiated at the ceremonies with Chancellor Scott St John, congratulated the graduates and their many achievements – in and out of the classroom.

“It takes hard work to get a degree, and the qualifications our graduates have earned will add real value to their lives, and to those of their families and the wider community. We are proud to have played a part in their current and future success.”