Unitec Institute of Technology

About Your Regalia

Everyone must wear the correct academic regalia to the ceremony. If you are not wearing regalia, you will not be able to take part. Regalia can be hired from Academic Dress Hire and can be picked up from 17 George Street, Newmarket.

If you are being awarded a certificate or diploma, your academic regalia consists of a black gown only. If you already have a degree, please wear the appropriate regalia.

If you are being conferred with a degree, your academic regalia consists of a gown, hood and trencher. In the old medieval tradition, the hood was replaced with the trencher on graduation as an acknowledgement of the new academic status - so please don't wear your trencher until your degree has been conferred by the Council Chair.

What else you wear is your own personal choice. Academic gowns are quite warm, so lighter clothing is more comfortable. It is also considered appropriate to add a garment of honour from your own tradition - a korowai or ta'ovala, for example - and this may be worn over your academic gown.

When choosing footwear, please bear in mind the length of the procession and that the route takes you along some uneven paths and steep streets. There are also stairs to and from the stage.

The gown

Everyone must wear a gown.

The trencher

The graduate cap (up to the level of Masters) is a black trencher with a tassel. The deeper peak of the cap goes to the back.  A black tudor bonnet is worn by recipients of a PhD.

The stole

Diplomates receiving a postgraduate diploma wear a stole over the costume appropriate to the diplomate's degree. If the diplomate is not a graduate, the stole is worn over a black gown.

The hood

Disciplines are identified by the colour of the hood lining. The masters hood is dark green, rather than black.  Unitec’s hoods have the distinctive raparapa on the V-band.

The 'raparapa' in its free flowing form was created by Unitec’s inaugural Pae Arahi Haare Williams. It signifies the coming together of all cultures in their quest to seek knowledge, skills and understanding.

The motif does not acknowledge failure, but focuses on providing appropriate support to succeed. The raparapa allows the students to then flow in both directions to meet the many challenges of society.

Last edited: 18 June 2012