Nimble minds follow nimble bodies

Kelly, Joanna and Danica Aitken are among 2650 students receiving University of Auckland degrees this week. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Joanna Aitken graduated a short time before her two sisters, which was appropriate because she is the oldest - by two minutes.

Triplets Joanna, Danica and Kelly were among 2650 University of Auckland students awarded degrees in the spring capping ceremony.

Kelly studied science and commerce, Danica earned a degree in law and commerce and Joanna passed in architecture and architectural studies.

The 23-year-olds are no strangers to doing things in unison. Since 1996 they have performed as a trio, representing New Zealand in international aerobics competition.

Despite being so close, they maintain there is little rivalry - academically or in aerobics.

"We compete as a team so you couldn't say which one is the best," said Kelly.

And the identical sisters insist they have resisted the temptation to swap lectures occasionally. "We did it in school, but fortunately, or unfortunately, the lecturers can tell us apart," said Joanna.

About 2650 students will have graduated at six capping ceremonies by the end of the week, receiving 2859 qualifications. Three Town Hall ceremonies were held yesterday and another three will occur tomorrow.

University of Auckland chancellor Hugh Fletcher is personally conferring 1968 degrees and diplomas. The rest will be bestowed in absentia.

It is the second round of graduations. Eleven ceremonies were held in May.

The faculty of business and economics has the most graduates - 842 - followed by science with 618 and arts with 559.

Speakers at the ceremonies include businessmen Tony Falkenstein and Chris Mace; Creative New Zealand chairman Peter Biggs; television and film producer John Barnett, and recently retired Ombudsman Judge Anand Satyanand.