Vive la différence in this family affair

Heath and Liz Lees, who graduated yesterday with degrees in French from the University of Auckland. Picture / Martin Sykes

Accomplished music critic, broadcaster and professor Heath Lees has completed his PhD on French literature in 2 1/2 years.

Dr Lees, professor of music at the University of Auckland since 1983 and a broadcaster on Concert FM for more than 30 years, began his PhD thesis in 2003. Usually the qualification would take about five years to finish but interest from publishers in the United States encouraged him to apply for an earlier finish date.

He graduated yesterday with his wife, Liz, who received a bachelor of arts degree she started 25 years ago. The couple are about to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

"I'm a bit flabbergasted to have finally got it done," said Mrs Lees. "But I am so delighted to have achieved it."

Mrs Lees began her BA, majoring in music, in Christchurch in 1981. After meeting her husband and moving to Auckland, she said, life got "a bit too busy and a bit too hectic" so she put her study on hold for 13 years.

She returned to university in 1996, changed her major to French. Inspired by trips to France, and her husband's interest in French symbolism, she has completed one or two papers at a time during the past 10 years.

Professor Lees' doctoral research on French poet Stephane Mallarme and German composer Richard Wagner will be published in a book next year.

Graduation ceremonies for the university started yesterday and continue tomorrow. University Chancellor Hugh Fletcher will confer 1919 degrees and diplomas, with the rest being awarded "in absentia".

Five ceremonies are being held at the Auckland Town Hall for the various schools of study, with more than 2500 people receiving qualifications.