Personal Information and Privacy
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The information that you provide when you register is used to start enrolling you at the University of Otago. It is important to supply accurate information. The University's Admission statute allows for enrolment in the University or any particular paper or course to be declined or cancelled by the Vice-Chancellor if information supplied in support of an application for admission or enrolment is untrue or misleading.
In addition to its own requirements the University of Otago collects and stores information from the enrolment process to comply with the requirements of the Ministry of Education (student statistical returns), Tertiary Education Commission (funding returns), Ministry of Social Development (confirmation of enrolment and academic outcomes), Inland Revenue Department (student loan interest rebate), Department of Immigration (if you are not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident) and agencies who support particular students through scholarships and prizes, payment of fees or other awards (if you are a recipient of one of those awards).
Also, when required by statute, the University releases information to Government agencies such as the New Zealand Police, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
The information provided at registration is supplied by you with the acknowledgment and understanding:
- that it may be used for purposes relating to your enrolment as a student or to your status as a former student by members of the academic and administrative staff of the University of Otago (or of any other tertiary institution in New Zealand to which you may subsequently transfer);
- that it may be transferred to and used by the Ministry of Social Development in their role as paying agent for Student Allowances and to assist with the processing of Government Student Loans (confirmation of enrolment and academic outcomes);
- that if you indicate to the University or the Ministry of Social Development that you are paying your university fees by Government Student Loan then you authorise the University of Otago to receive information from the Ministry of Social Development regarding the progress and/or status of your loan application;
- that it may be used for the creation and maintenance of National Student Index records;
- that it may also be used for other purposes external to the University, when it is in statistical form or when it is not to your disadvantage for this to be done, and also where disclosure is required to comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993;
- that you have the right to see and correct if necessary the information you have provided.
National Student Index Number
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, has created the National Student Index (NSI). Every tertiary student in New Zealand will be recorded on the NSI under a unique NSI number which remains with them for life, even if they change institutions. Information on the NSI - which does not include details of academic results - is used for a variety of statistical and planning purposes.
Further details of the NSI are available from:
Ministry of Education:
Web: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/nsi
Email: nsi.unit@minedu.govt.nz
or
National Student Index, Ministry of Education:
PO Box 1666, Wellington
Tel: 04 463 8000
Fax: 04 463 8001
Further Information
Do you need further information about enrolment at the University of Otago? See the Enrolment Frequently Asked Questions elsewhere on this website.
