All the significant elements in Juliette Lyon's life are depicted in the 44,000 stitches which make up an intricate panel on the special cloak she will wear for her graduation today.
Miss Lyon (24) will graduate from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Teaching endorsed in Te Pokai Matauranga o Te Ao Rua (Primary Bilingual Education).
Her parents, Alexandra shearing contractors Elsie and Peter Lyon, had the Kakahu (cloak) designed and made as a surprise for their daughter. The purple and black-feathered cloak has an embroidered panel at the top which illustrates milestones and people and places that have been significant in her life.
''It was a complete surprise when I saw it and so special because it relates directly to me,'' Miss Lyon said.
''I'll always treasure it because I know the thought that went into it and how much hard work was involved in making it.''
On Tuesday, she wore the cloak at a pre-graduation function at Murihiku marae in Invercargill for teaching students who had been studying at the university's Southland campus.
''I felt very proud then and will be proud to wear it again for the graduation ceremony in Dunedin.''
Mrs Lyon asked Alexandra designer Sharon Gilchrist to make the cloak and outlined all the details for the panel. It covers Miss Lyon's tribal connections - Ngai Tahu and Ngati Kahungunu - and her education, including a year as head girl of Dunstan High School in 2007.
The stairway to knowledge, the Lyon family Scottish crest, the three ketes of knowledge, a sun, blossoms and mountains to portray Alexandra, and a sheep in a paddock to represent Peter Lyon Shearing, are also illustrated.
Miss Lyon is described by family and friends as having ''a heart of gold'', so a golden heart is included in the design. Another special addition is a scaled-down replica of an artwork by the late Gina Nathan, a champion woolhandler who was close to the Lyon family.
Mrs Gilchrist said the cloak was '' a real labour of love''.
''I wouldn't have done it for anyone else, but I've known Juliette since her kindy days. My kids grew up with her and I've always liked her.''
She spent about three weeks working on the design before starting work on the cross-stitched panel.
''It took me about 220 hours to make the panel and I know it's got about 44,000 stitches in it. Then there were 13 rows of feathers to sew to make up the rest of the cloak - but that was the easy part.''
Ngai Tahu greenstone was sourced for the cloak ties.
''The cloak is really irreplaceable because it's all about her. It was such a buzz to see it all finished and see Juliette's reaction,'' Mrs Gilchrist said.
Miss Lyon had completed an assignment on Kakahu as part of her studies so was well aware of the significance of the gift.
''Everything on it has real meaning to me, so it's a taonga.''
