"I feel very humbled, and, that I've gained this degree with the help of many."
Mr Levi (30) played 63 games for the Highlanders (2002-2007) and 70 games for Otago from 2000 to 2006.
He has also captained the Samoan rugby team, although an eye-socket injury in a lead-up game meant he could not play for Samoa in the 2007 World Cup.
These days, he is playing for the Newcastle Falcons, in England, where he is halfway through a two-year contract.
He earlier played in Japan for two years and has also played for Welsh club Ospreys for half a season.
Completing his master's studies while overseas much of the time had not been easy, and had involved "a lot of hard slog".
While studying, between rugby games, in Japan, Wales and England, he communicated with the Otago University School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies by email.
In Japan there were useful libraries, but gaining access could be challenging: he first had to explain what he needed in Japanese, then try to use his Otago University student identification card.
Among the many people who had helped him with his studies over the years were Michelle Schaaf and Associate Prof Brendan Hokowhitu, of the university school, and his father, Hamilton-based Presbyterian minister Rev Fogatia Levi, an Otago theology graduate who was always keen for his son to pursue university studies.
Today will be a special day for Mr Levi, whose wife, Natalee, and father will be present for the graduation ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall.
In his thesis he explored Pacific people's experience and perception of racism in rugby.
There were signs of racial stereotyping of Pacific Island players as somewhat lazy or lacking in mental application by some commentators when discussing performances by the Blues [Auckland-based Super 14] team, he said.
Mr Levi was born near Hamilton, shifting to Dunedin about the age of 10, and attending Dunedin North Intermediate, Logan Park High School and, later, Otago Boys' High School.
Mr Levi and fellow English-based former Highlanders Carl Hayman, also with the Falcons, and Seilala Mapusua (London Irish), have been following the Highlanders' performances from the other side of the world.
He offers a message of hope for beleaguered fans, and urges more people to attend the team's games and to get behind the coach and players.
There were some promising signs this year, including the convincing win against the Waratahs in Invercargill, and several other close losses.
He points out that South African side the Bulls, the leaders after the Super 14 round-robin, were, before 2002, one of the worst-performing teams in the competition, but their time had now come.
All that was needed for the Highlanders was for the team to gel further and for perhaps another player or two to be added.
"They're not too far away. It's just a matter of time," he said.
