Devonport Road was closed off this afternoon as more than a hundred student and staff members from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology marched up it.

The road was closed between Spring Street and Third Avenue from 3.30-4.30pm, to allow safe passage for the institute's inaugural graduation parade.

The weather was initially sunny, although a sudden downpour threatened to quite literally rain on their parade. A gusty southerly blowing down Devonport Road provided some resistance, but failed to stop the procession, led by Maori warriors performing a kapa haka routine.

Academic director Amanda Torr says the parade is a way for the community to recognise the students who will soon join the workforce and give back even more than they already have.

'We think it's really important to give graduates the chance to be celebrated by their families and acknowledged by the people of Tauranga."

More than 1800 students will graduate between today and Wednesday, across five graduation ceremonies.

It will also be the first time students will graduate from the Bachelor of Creative Industries programme.