And there is a possibility of further graduation ceremonies being added in the future, if there is demand for it and Covid-19 restrictions allow.
Dunedin’s accommodation and hospitality sector representatives say the ceremonies would add a much-needed financial "shot in the arm" for the local economy if they happen.
University of Otago registrar Chris Stoddart said the university had scheduled two extra ceremonies at the Dunedin Town Hall in May, and had plans in place for a further two ceremonies in August.
"This includes ceremonies for those who did not graduate in 2021, as well as ‘acknowledgement’ ceremonies for 2021 graduates who were unable to graduate in person but still wish to cross the stage and have their graduation formally acknowledged.
"Depending on demand, we will schedule further graduation and acknowledgement ceremonies in future.
"We are cautiously hopeful that the May ceremonies will be able to proceed, but we recognise that this is reliant upon the appropriate settings under the [Covid-19] protection framework.
"A final decision on whether we can continue will be made early in April."
The university considered alternatives to how it operated graduation ceremonies, but it was not satisfied they would provide the graduates with the full graduation experience, Mr Stoddart said.
"So we remain committed to our usual approach at this time.
"While uncertainty remains, we are optimistic that graduation ceremonies will again soon be possible.
"It would be wonderful to be able to resume this tradition, which is not only important to the university, but a part of our city’s lifeblood as well."
Two ceremonies per day are scheduled for May 7, May 14, May 21, August 20, December 10, December 14 and December 17.
Otago Motel Association president Pete Firns said it was fantastic news for Dunedin’s accommodation sector.
"It will be a nice little shot in the arm for us.
"It’s significantly more than usual."
The key thing about the announcement was it showed a change in mood around planning events, he said.
"People have just been too nervous to plan or book events because there’s been a low likelihood of them going ahead.
"So the fact that the university is doing this is a very good sign of a change in that attitude — that uncertainty and unwillingness to plan things is going.
"It’s a sign of a more positive outlook."
He was already taking accommodation bookings for the May ceremonies, and was looking forward to seeing bookings flood in for the others, Mr Firns said.
Hospitality Association of New Zealand Otago president Mark Scully was pleased extra graduations had been added.
"It will make a significant difference to the hospitality industry — 100%.
"Graduations are great weekends for us because you get the students and their parents here — they’re celebrating and spending money.
"Obviously, we’ve been missing graduations for a couple of years. This fills the motels and it fills the restaurants.
"It’s brilliant."
