Jubilant EIT graduates celebrate capping a few weeks earlier than usual this year, parading through downtown Napier in the traditional academic gowns, satin-lined hoods, korowai and tasselled trenchers on March 15 and 16. 

Graduation marks the awarding of diploma, degree and postgraduate qualifications completed last year. 

The institute continues to achieve strongly for qualifications, awarding 3360 for 2017 – a very similar result to 2016.  Of these, 947 are diploma or higher, with a further 2413 certificates awarded at ceremonies held at the end of last year. 

Notable is the growing number of Māori completing qualifications across EIT’s various schools.  For the 2017 year, 44 percent of EIT graduates are Māori.

EIT’s student body is characterised by diversity – 12 percent of those gaining qualifications last year were international students.

In another significant trend for the institute, EIT’s student body is getting younger, with 41 percent aged under 25.   Forty-five percent of 2017’s degree graduates are under 25.   

This year’s graduation will once again be staged as three ceremonies over two days in Napier’s Municipal Theatre, with the Hastings venue, the Hawke’s Bay Opera House, remaining unavailable for the event. 

The valedictorians who will deliver speeches on behalf of their fellow graduates are Serena Hakiwai, to be awarded her Bachelor of Business Studies (Marketing), Helen Monteith, who receives her Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Bianca Snee, who graduates Bachelor of Recreation and Sport.

Guest speakers at the ceremonies are local MPs Stuart Nash (Napier), Meka Whaitiri (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti)and Lawrence Yule (Tukituki).

Graduates include Shannon Hayne, the first to complete EIT’s fully on-line New Zealand Diploma in Business.