What and How to Wear
You can check our website for images of the regalia and specific qualifications being worn.
Otherwise, please see the general instructions below:
Gowns
Undergraduate: One size fits all, wear like a jacket with the front open
Bachelor: Sized according to height – Bottom should be halfway between knees and ankles. Bat-wing sleeves, with arms going through to the end of the sleeves. Not through the decorative slit.
Master: Sized according to height – Bottom should be halfway between knees and ankles. Oblong sleeves, with arms going through the opening near the elbow.
Hood (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
Front: U or V-shaped neck at the front.
Back: Right shoulder turned to show the coloured lining, left shoulder should have the hood closed to show the outside of the hood. Pointed tail drapes down the back.
Stole/ Scarf (Diplomas & Graduate/ Postgraduate Diplomas)
Wear over the gown (and under the hood if you have one) evenly positioned.
Trencher/ Graduation Cap
Worn flat on the head, parallel to the ground. The short peak at the center front of the head, halfway down the forehead.
Wear a tassel by the left ear.
PhD/ Doctoral Bonnet
Worn flat on the head, tassel on the left
Legal Attire
Wig: Should be flat on head, and symmetrical.
Gown: Arms through sleeves
Cultural/ Traditional Attire, Kākahu/ Korowai, Lei, Sari, Ta’ovala:
You are encouraged to wear cultural/ traditional attire to your graduation. Please wear Kākahu, Korowai, and cloaks over the gown and under the degree hood or diploma stole.
History of legal attire
New Zealand’s legal system was derived from the English system, including its traditional attire.
Gowns
Barrister’s gowns date back as far as the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. In this period fur and silk lined robes were established as a mark of high judicial office. These gowns changed with the seasons, generally green in the summer and violet in the winter, with red for special occasions. The plain black gown, most commonly seen on barristers in New Zealand today, was adopted in 1685 as a result of the bar going into mourning over the death of King Charles II.
Today legal gowns are compulsory for New Zealand barristers when appearing in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Gowns are also worn by junior barristers in bar admission ceremonies, along with the traditional wig and bib.
“Money bags”
The strangest aspect of legal attire is the triangular piece of robe which can be seen attached to the back left shoulder of a barrister’s gown. While you could be forgiven for thinking this is some sort of manufacturer’s folly, this piece of material (which awkwardly hangs off the back) is said to represent a pocket or “money bag”. The story goes there was a time in the history of the legal profession when barristers would not “lower themselves” to ask clients for money. Instead they would turn their backs to reveal a coin bag, or pocket, to remind clients payment was due. Supposedly the quality of the barrister’s work wouldn’t be compromised if they could not see how much they were being paid.
Wigs
Wigs first appeared in the legal profession in the 17th century during the reign of King Charles II in the time of the Restoration of the English monarchy. They were fashionable amongst the English upper class after Charles II was inspired by the court of Louis XIV of France. Despite going out of fashion in the reign of King George III, barristers and judges continued to wear them in court to distinguish their profession from other members of society.
Made from either horse, goat or human hair, original wigs were difficult to maintain – they had to be frizzed and curled, and then treated with a thick scented ointment known as “pomatum”, then they were covered in a thick layer of powder.
Today barristers being admitted to the bar in New Zealand can be seen wearing what is known as a tie-wig. The tie-wig has a fuzzed crown, with rows of curls known as ‘buckles’ along the sides and back, and a looped tail at the rear. It was the hair-piece of choice for Barristers in the early 19th century.
Bibs
Bibs, also known as jabots or bands, are usually reserved for ceremonial wear, including admission ceremonies and swearing in of judges. They first appeared in 1640 when lawyers swapped neck ruffs for ‘falling bands’ of plain linen. Today they consist of two rectangles which are said to represent the tablets of Moses in the Old Testament.
While this attire is not worn by lawyers on a day to day basis, it will continue to be important because it symbolises the timeless and significant influence barristers have in our justice system.
Fun facts:
§ When England’s first female barrister was called to the bar in 1922, there was heated discussion about what she would wear in court. In the end it was decided that female barristers would wear the wig in the same manner as male barristers, with no hair showing at the front and long hair tied at the back.
§ When New Zealand’s first female lawyer Ethel Benjamin was admitted to the bar in 1887, the Otago District Law Society attempted to impose an alternative dress code on her. They were unsuccessful in their discrimination and Ms Benjamin can today be seen in photos sporting a wig, gown and bib.