The Graduation Ceremony
Graduation is a big day – it’s a milestone event that you can celebrate with your friends and whānau. There are important formal aspects to the ceremony, and lots to take in about where to go and what to do.
Read through the information below so you’re prepared and know what to expect on the day.
10:00 AM Ceremony
Subjects: Trades, Digital Technologies, Engineering, Health Practice, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Sport and Exercise, Social Work and Human Services, Animal and Laboratory Science, Sustainability and Outdoor Education, Early Childhood Education
| New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with Companion Animals Strand |
| New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with Veterinary Nursing Assistant Strand |
| New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Applied Science (Level 5) - Pre-Analytical Technician Pathway |
| Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Technology |
| New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Health Promotion) |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Nutrition) |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Sport and Exercise Science) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 4) |
| Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education |
| Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Practice |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Practice |
| Master of Sustainable Practice |
| New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) Community Facilitation |
| New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) Mental Health and Addiction Support |
| New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) Social Services |
| Bachelor of Social Work |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision |
| New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) |
| Bachelor of Nursing |
| Graduate Certificate in Nursing |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Health Practice |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Health Practice |
| Master of Health Practice |
| Master of Health Science |
| Master of Nursing |
| Bachelor of Medical Imaging |
| Bachelor of Midwifery |
| Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy |
| New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Drainlaying (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Level 4) with strand in Heavy Fabrication |
| New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Level 4) with strand in Light Fabrication |
| New Zealand Certificate in Gasfitting (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4) Craftsperson Strand |
| New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4) Cabinetry Strand |
| New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strand in Fitting and Machining |
| New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strand in Maintenance Engineering |
| New Zealand Certificate Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strand in Machining |
| New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with strand in Civil Engineering |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with strand in Electronic Engineering |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with strand in Electrical Engineering |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with strand in Mechanical Engineering |
| Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) |
| Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical) |
| Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Mechanical) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology Technical Support (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity (Level 6) |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies (Information Systems Pathway) |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies (Networking and Infrastructure Pathway) |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies (Software Development Pathway) |
| Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technologies |
2:00 PM Ceremony
Subjects: Architecture and Construction Management, Food and Hospitality, Business, Art and Design, Music, Music Theatre (NASDA), New Zealand Broadcasting School, English, Foundation Studies, Language and Education, Hair, Beauty and Massage, Māori and Pacific (Te Puna Wānaka)
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) - Construction & ICT Pathway |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) - Engineering Pathway |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) - Open Pathway |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) - Pre Health Pathway |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation Level 4 - Pre Health |
| New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with strand in Accounting |
| New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with strand in Human Resource Management |
| New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with strand in Leadership and Management |
| New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with strand in Marketing and Sales |
| Bachelor of Accounting (Level 7) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Business Transformation and Change AND Strategic Management) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Business Transformation and Change) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Marketing and Sales) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Operations and Production Management And Supply Chain Logistics) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Strategic Management) |
| Bachelor of Applied Management (Supply Chain Logistics) |
| Graduate Diploma in Accounting |
| Graduate Diploma in Applied Management |
| Graduate Diploma in Event Management |
| Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management |
| Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics |
| New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Music (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Performing Arts (Level 4) |
| Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Journalism) |
| Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Radio) |
| Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Screen Production) |
| Bachelor of Design (Applied Visual Art) |
| Bachelor of Design (Fashion Technology and Design) |
| Bachelor of Design (Motion Design) |
| Bachelor of Design (Lens-based Media) |
| Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design) |
| Bachelor of Music Theatre |
| Bachelor of Music (Music Creation Pathway) |
| Bachelor of Music (Music Performance Pathway) |
| Bachelor of Music (Transition Award) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice |
| Master of Creative Practice |
| New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Generalist) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 4) (Restaurant Services strand) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) Cookery strand |
| New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) Patisserie strand |
| New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) |
| Bachelor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management |
| New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6) |
| New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in English Language (General) (Level 4) |
| New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5) |
| Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching and Learning Level 7 |
| Te Pokaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 4) New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo Maori (Bilingual) (Level 4) |
| Te Pokaitahi Reo (Rumaki) (Te Kaupae 5) |
| Te Pokaitahi Reo (Rumaki) (Te Kaupae 6) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential) (Level 5) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Architectual Technology (Level 6) |
| Bachelor of Architectural Studies |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) with strand in Construction Management |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) with strand in Quantity Surveying |
| Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management) |
| Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) |
| Graduate Diploma in Construction Management |
| Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying |
| Graduate Certificate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) |
| Graduate Diploma in Building Information Modelling (BIM) |
Christchurch Graduation ceremonies are held at Wolfbrook Arena (formerly known as Horncastle or Christchurch Arena), at 55 Jack Hinton Drive in Addington.
There is free carparking on site and bus stops nearby. For more information, including details on accessibility, parking and directions, check out their website.
Timaru Graduation ceremonies are held at Caroline Bay Hall.
For all ceremonies, you must be at the graduation venue one hour before the ceremony start time. Please don’t be late – if you’re not there on time, you may miss out on taking part in the ceremony.
Timaru & Spring Ceremonies
For Timaru and Christchurch Spring graduation there is usually one ceremony at 2pm.
Autumn Ceremony
For the Christchurch Autumn graduation there will be two ceremonies, at 10am and 2pm.
Please refer to the "Which ceremony should I attend? (By Qualification)" dropdown above to see which time applies to your specific qualification.
We will have plenty of signage and friendly staff onsite on graduation day to ensure you know where to go and end up in the right place.
You will be sent clear instructions with full details before the ceremony.
If you or any of your guests have special mobility or access needs, please let us know before the day by contacting us at graduation@ara.ac.nz. Our graduation venues have accessible seating, and we will have lots of staff on hand to help if needed.
If you or any of your guests communicate by NZ Sign Language, we will have an interpreter at the ceremony.
Ara’s graduation ceremonies are filmed for livestreaming, and photographed. Footage and photos will be available publicly on our digital media, and may also be used in Ara publications and promotional materials (digital and print). If you have any questions regarding graduation photography, please email graduation@ara.ac.nz.
Linton Photography are the official photographers for graduation.
Studios will be set up at the venue so you can have portraits taken with family or friends. A limited number of session times are available to book, and sessions are also available on a first come, first served basis before and after your ceremony.
Photographs will also be taken of every graduate as they are presented with their award on stage.
To find out more or book a session time please phone 03 339 6699 or visit www.lintonphoto.com/graduation.
Graduation bears with Ara regalia are available for purchase. You can buy a bear before and after the ceremonies at the venue, and you can also pre-order a bear.