Southland will come together this graduation season for a city-scale celebration that reflects who we are as a people, and the central place SIT holds in our region.

Kelvin Street will host the Graduation Walk with a street name, a public display of pride in our students, our community, and the return of SIT to local hands.

Graduation Lane is designed as a powerful celebration of Southland's success and the reinstatement of SIT as an institution that belongs to its region.

Oversized images of students and graduates will line the street along with stories of their journeys and achievements.

Banners, window displays, colour, and movement will shape a week-long celebration that honours both the people of Southland and SIT’s renewed autonomy.

SIT Interim Chief Executive Amanda Whitaker says the activation is a proud moment for the community and represents a significant milestone in SIT’s future.

“This celebration is about Southland and the people who make our region strong. Closing Kelvin Street for the procession is more than a moment on a calendar.

It is a statement that SIT is here for our community and here because of our community. Our graduates are part of our workforce and part of our future, and this is a chance for Southland to stand with them.

Graduation Walk marks a moment of real pride and a moment that belongs to every whanau and business that supports SIT and our students,” says Amanda Whitaker.

Mayor Tom Campbell says the celebration is exactly what SIT was built for.

“If I had my way, we would have streets celebrating our students every day. This is who we are as Southlanders. We back our people and proudly stand behind their achievements.

Graduation Lane tells the region that SIT is back where it belongs. It is locally led, delivering local benefit and shaping local futures.

Graduates outside SIT. Photo: Supplied

This celebration is about honouring our students and honouring the autonomy Southlanders fought for,” says Tom Campbell.

Local Member of Parliament for Invercargill and Minister with responsibility for education, Hon Penny Simmonds, says the celebration embodies everything that makes SIT exceptional.

“SIT has always been a source of pride for Southland, and it continues to deliver extraordinary benefits for our region. SIT graduates strengthen our economy, our industries, and our communities.

Graduation Walk is a powerful acknowledgement of their success and of the renewed local leadership that ensures SIT remains deeply connected to Southland.

I am immensely proud of the SIT graduates and proud of what SIT continues to achieve for our people and our future,” says Hon Penny Simmonds.

The activation has also drawn strong support from the business community.

When H&J Smith building owner Jason Smith learned Kelvin Street would close briefly to celebrate SIT and its students, he immediately contacted organisers to offer his building as a platform for the display of graduate stories.

“H&J Smith has always been part of the Southland story. When I heard the street would be closed for the walk to honour SIT’s autonomy and our students, it felt right to make the building part of the celebration.

Southland's success is built on generations of people who have contributed to our region. Using the building to showcase our graduates felt like the perfect way to recognise that shared history and support the next generation of Southland achievers,” says Jason Smith.

Cyclone Computer Company Ltd (Cyclone) stepped forward to support the celebration. Cyclone’s National Sales Manager, Dan Norton, says, "Cyclone has partnered with SIT for many years, and we value our strong connection with Southland and its businesses.

Celebrating SIT and its graduates' success is something we’re delighted to be part of. When we learned about this initiative, we were eager to contribute and are pleased to support the street decals for Graduation Lane.”

The community is invited to gather on Kelvin Street for the Graduation Walk procession and to enjoy the week-long celebration that follows.

The activation will highlight the faces and stories of SIT students and graduates and reinforce that SIT is once again locally anchored and delivering opportunities for Southlanders.

Graduation Lane key information:

Location: Kelvin Street, Invercargill

Date: Procession on graduation day, 12 December 2025 at 4pm