Dressing up for Graduation

If you are attending your graduation at the University of Auckland, you either rent or purchase your regalia at Academic Dress Hire. You rent if you will just wear it during graduation day. But if you're like me, who teaches in university, it's an investment to buy the regalia. 

Academic Dress Hire is located at 17 George Street, Parnell--just across the Auckland Domain Cricket field. You can take the Inner Link or Outer Link buses and get off at the 540 Parnell Road stop.

You can actually order your regalia in advance at the foundation's website at Academic Dress Hire. It's easy to navigate. And there's a variety of options to pay. Credit card, debit, bank transfer on-line, or cash and eftpos on-site. The people who work and volunteer for the foundation are very nice, helpful and friendly. Word of advice, though, don't wait til the last minute to go, because the line gets long. Best to go at the earliest possible time, and avoid lunch time.

Auckland University uses black gowns. The gowns are $38.00 to rent, and $250.00 to buy.  Trenchers are $21.00 to rent, and $65.00 to buy. Thank God, I brought my UP Law gown and trencher. Saved me 60 bucks!

The different colors of bachelors hoods. They are $21.00 to rent, and $85.00 to buy. I will be using my UP Law hood for this graduation.

Of all colors, Arts courses were assigned the color pink! Hay, buti pa yung science, blue. Here are the different diploma scarves on display. They are $21.00 to rent and $85.00 to buy. I bought this one. So I can use it during graduation ceremonies in the Philippines.

Here are PhD gowns and hoods. I have no interest in taking a PhD. A masters is fine... for now.

And this is me wearing my UP Law gown, Auckland Uni PGDip scarf, and Auckland Uni MPP hood. Yes, I'm wearing a black baseball cap to my graduation... Kidding, of course.

This is unique to New Zealand. It's the Korowai or the Maori cloak. I guess you wear it in addition to the regular regalia if you are Maori or have Maori blood and heritage. The cloak is worn over the gown and to the Maori, symbolizes honor and prestige.