Graduation marks the end of an era for Tauranga students

University of Waikato graduates gather at ASB Arena today, marking the end of an era. Photo/Zoe Hunter

A total of 120 students are graduating in Tauranga today.

The annual ceremony at ASB Arena is the final one for the University of Waikato before the new campus opens in 2019.

Darinee Turnwald, 49, was one of today's graduates who achieved her first class honours in social work.

Turnwald said it took huge self-belief to complete her studies as an adult student.

"There were heaps of times when I wanted to give up, but it was just putting one step in front of the other. Don't give up."