Addressing the second of two graduation ceremonies on Saturday, University of Otago tourism professor James Higham told graduates that Covid had changed everything.
Prof Higham told more than 350 graduates, mainly in commerce and law, that they had had to be adaptable and to "fundamentally rethink".
"It has forced upon us change that — in some cases — we knew was long overdue.
"Use your education to challenge business as usual."
He told graduates that they were now part of only 6% of the overall population who held university degrees.
That was the same proportion of the global human population that had flown in aeroplanes.
"We know that flying is a very effective way to put carbon dioxide into the global atmosphere and that is a problem."
In a world threatened by climate change the injustices of air travel were glaring, and the vulnerable poor, who never flew, were being adversely affected by those who did.
"Something has got to change," he added.
Tourism could be a "destructive force"but could also be a "very powerful positive force", he said.
"Some of you will have experienced financial difficulties, struggled balancing family commitments, encountered health issues, work conflicts and for many people experiencing self-doubt in your abilities."
"You adjusted to a different way of study, often working in cramped conditions, shifting to online lectures and exams, zoom supervisory meetings and navigating new ways to access research.
She told more than 270 graduates, mainly in humanities and applied science, that they were among "only a small number of graduating classes from across the globe that can safely come together with your peers, family, friends and lecturers to celebrate in this way".
New Zealand and Ireland had "extraordinary connections" and part of her work was to highlight their collaborations which were particularly important during this "continuing global crisis".
Bracken had been sent to family in Australia at the age of 12, where he was put to work, and had later emigrated to New Zealand in 1869, settling in Dunedin.
He became a journalist, a politician and poet of some distinction, his poem God Defend New Zealand having been set to music and sung in Dunedin for the first time in 1878.
"Bracken undoubtedly faced many harsh challenges in life and circumstances led him to his place where he excelled and forever left his mark on this great nation," she said.
