Vision 2040 – a new strategic direction
Thursday 23 March 2023
In February, the interim final version of Vision 2040, the new strategic direction for the University of Otago, was launched.
Networks and Events
Thursday 23 March 2023
The sun shone for alumni, students and staff, along with members of the community, who turned out for February’s Clocktower picnic on the Dunedin campus and the Christchurch 50th anniversary picnic in the Botanic Gardens in March. It was also wonderful to welcome alumni to the Highlanders Coaches’ Breakfast in Invercargill last week.
Alumni in the News
Thursday 23 March 2023
Dentistry graduate Christian Lio-Willie signs with the Crusaders, Natasha Callister and Rowena Davenport are appointed to leading roles at MTF Finance, Tony Johnson receives top Australasian award for outstanding contribution to the pulp and paper industry, Clare Wilson takes honours at the David Awards for small and micro businesses in New Zealand.
Fifty years of mahi – a milestone for the University of Otago, Christchurch
Thursday 23 March 2023
‘Kia Mau’ – a call to come together and hold tight to one and all – is the chosen theme to celebrate 50 years of medical education and research excellence this year at the University of Otago, Christchurch.
Hot Picks
Thursday 23 March 2023
Be entertained and feed your mind with our Hot Picks. You can relax in the comfort of your own home, while listening to a selection of podcasts, interviews, and lectures from Otago academics, visiting lecturers, and alumni.
Otago Images
Thursday 23 March 2023
To celebrate 150 years of Law at Otago, we thought we’d bring a well-known face from the past back to life with colour. In 1893 Ethel Benjamin was the first woman to be admitted to law school in Australasia and in 1897 became the first female lawyer to appear as counsel in any case in the British Empire. Below are some photographs of Ethel Benjamin that we have colourised using a wee bit of technical magic.
Donor-funded Entrance Scholarships celebrated
Thursday 23 March 2023
Donor-funded Entrance Scholarship winners were welcomed at a function in the University’s Terrace Lounge in early March. External Engagement Division Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tony Ballantyne said he was very pleased that the students had chosen to study at Otago.
University of Otago welcomes new voice for public health
Tuesday 28 February 2023
A new centre hosted by the University of Otago will boost the reach and impact of public health research, says its inaugural Director Professor Michael Baker.
Lady Pat Mark, a life of family, advocacy and books
Thursday 23 February 2023
It was with great sadness we learned of the recent death of Lady Patricia (Pat) Mark QSO. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to her husband, University of Otago Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark CBE, their children Jenifer, Stephen, Alastair and Bridget, and her nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
From wartime orphan to wildlife authority
Thursday 16 February 2023
An extraordinary life journey has taken renowned conservationist and science educator John Darby from orphanages in the United Kingdom during war time, to Assistant Director of the Otago Museum, Honorary Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Otago and champion of the region’s rare and vulnerable wildlife.
Seeds podcasts discuss entrepreneurs’ journeys to success
Tuesday 14 February 2023
Otago Human Nutrition alumna Elise Hilliam, and Law and Commerce graduate Neil Edmond talk with Steven Moe, a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers in Christchurch, about how Elise came to create affordable meal planning company MenuAid, and how Neil made his financial literacy business MoneyTime a reality.
In Pursuit of the Public Good
Monday 13 February 2023
When he decides to do something, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) recipient Wallace Bain, doesn’t do it by halves. Having developed a strong interest for the law after sitting in on a retrial of alleged murderer Arthur Allan Thomas in the early seventies, he decided to pursue a career in law at the University of Otago.
Saying yes to the red shirt and giving back to Otago
Tuesday 31 January 2023
It’s been a busy Christmas holiday for Lachie Scarsbrook. Taking his first trip home from the UK since leaving for the University of Oxford nearly two years ago, not only was his research about a new species of gecko published – including collaboration with iwi over Te Reo Māori scientific and common names – but he decided to extend his trip by two weeks to help out for the fourth time as a “red shirt” at Hands On at Otago.
Podcast conversations aim to trigger curiosity and understanding
Thursday 26 January 2023
Otago international PhD graduate Amir Amini’s fascination for different viewpoints and love of sharing stories has grown into a 10-part podcast series, When an Irani Meets a Māori.
Success is always about joining the kaupapa and working together
Monday 23 January 2023
While acknowledging how special it is to have been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Year Honours, Kaikōura High School principal John Tait (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Kuia) says in reality there are a huge number of people who have been instrumental in the development of his career, enabling him to do things “I would never have done just by myself”.
Honour recognises advocacy for equity, social justice and anti-racism
Monday 23 January 2023
Taking Otago’s distance-learning Certificate in Health Promotion in 1996 helped create the foundations of a career in public health for Dr Heather Came-Friar, who was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori, education and health in the New Year Honours.
Belief in a sound mind and a sound body
Thursday 19 January 2023
Leadership in rugby, long service to the University of the Third Age (U3A) and support for the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra has been recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list. University of Otago MBA Director of the New Ventures Programme, Richard Higham, was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in the awards, which were announced in Wellington this month.
Honour for ground-breaking eye surgeon “a team effort”
Monday 16 January 2023
World-leading eye surgeon Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ophthalmology in the New Year Honours list.
Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai - the biggest honour is to see students do well
Thursday 12 January 2023
In the 2023 New Year Honours, Otago’s Pacific Community Engagement Manager, Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai, was awarded an Honorary Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to education and the Pacific community.
Dame Farah Palmer – New Year Honour a chance to shine a light
Thursday 12 January 2023
It was only after much reflection that Dame Farah Palmer, three-time Rugby World Cup winning captain of the Black Ferns, decided to accept the honour of Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced in this year’s New Year Honours. The honour is in recognition of her services to sport, particularly rugby.
Shocked, humbled and surprised - alumni and staff respond to receiving New Year Honours
Monday 9 January 2023
Otago alumni and staff reacted with shock and surprise, and felt humbled when they heard they had received New Year Honours for 2023.
Drama at Otago paves way for career as voice coach to the stars
Wednesday 21 December 2022
Cinderella, Britain’s Got Talent, TV drama Cilla, Doc Martin – chances are one of the actors or singers you’ve heard on film, TV or stage has been trained by Otago alumna and voice coach to the stars, Anne-Marie Speed.
Youth support for smokefree generation policy
Wednesday 14 December 2022
Young people have shown strong support for the Government’s proposal to introduce a smokefree generation, a study by researchers at the University of Otago has found.
Leading the way – 20Twenties Young Alumni Awards 2022
Wednesday 14 December 2022
We are delighted to announce this year’s 20Twenties Young Alumni Award winners. These trailblazing young graduates are already making their mark in their workplaces and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Global Lens photography competition 2022 winners
Wednesday 14 December 2022
We had a fantastic selection of entries to our 2022 photo competition from our alumni. Our four judges were once again impressed with the high standard of photographs submitted. When the judges’ decisions were collated, we found that several photographers dominated this year’s competition. Congratulations to our winners and runners up for 2022 and thank you to all our wonderful alumni who entered!
UBS refurbishment warmly welcomed
Wednesday 14 December 2022
A new look, more versatile and accessible University Book Shop (UBS) is being warmly welcomed.
Networks and events
Wednesday 14 December 2022
Renowned physiotherapist Dr Stanley Paris was on campus for a special awards presentation. It was wonderful to reconnect with alumni at events in the Pacific, Australia, North America and Southeast Asia. The Court of Benefactors gathered at the Staff Club in October. The Physics department and DARO welcomed family of distinguished alumnus Professor William (Bill) McLean. The medical class of 2002 celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Research partnership to help prepare for future infectious disease threats officially launched
Tuesday 13 December 2022
A new $36 million research platform aimed at preparing for future infectious disease threats was launched today.
From Central Otago to Silicon Valley – Substack’s Hamish McKenzie on supporting writers and creating a new publishing ecosystem
Monday 12 December 2022
From editor of Critic to co-founder of subscription publishing start-up Substack, Otago English graduate Hamish McKenzie talks about his time at the University and the writing career that took him to San Francisco, leading to the creation of Substack in 2017. Today, the email newsletter platform hosts some of the world’s leading writers, bringing with them their loyal readers, and creating a whole new publishing ecosystem in the process.
Town and Gown partnerships support new opportunities for the future
Monday 12 December 2022
Since the first classes in 1873, Law at Otago has been closely linked with the legal profession in Dunedin. We are delighted that two firms with a long history with the University, Anderson Lloyd and Gallaway Cook Allan, have partnered with Otago as the major sponsors for the Law 150th anniversary and the new Law Dean’s Innovation Fund.
Law Faculty focused on future as it celebrates 150 years
Monday 12 December 2022
A new Law Dean’s Innovation Fund, set to support and improve student experience, will be launched at the 150th anniversary of Otago’s Faculty of Law next year.
Masters’ alumna Margaret Courtney and the role of the Māori Land Court in contemporary Aotearoa
Thursday 8 December 2022
The Māori Land Court of New Zealand has and continues to play a unique role within the justice system. Often referred to as the “people’s court,” the Māori Land Court functions to promote the retention of and appropriate use of Māori land.
Health innovator and storyteller
Wednesday 7 December 2022
Since leaving the University of Otago in the late eighties Dr Tom Mulholland has had a remarkable career, as much as an entrepreneur, innovator and self-help book writer, as a health professional.
Renowned physiotherapist on campus for awards presentation
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Renowned physiotherapist Dr Stanley Paris was on campus on Tuesday for a special awards presentation of the Stanley Paris Musculoskeletal and Manual Therapy Fund awards.
Getting the ball rolling in domestic cricket performance analysis
Monday 28 November 2022
Tim Horton has played the long game when it comes to carving out a role for himself as the first performance analyst employed by a New Zealand domestic cricket team.
Standing against violence, asking questions and creating opportunities
Thursday 24 November 2022
Otago Theology alumna and Presbyterian Church minister the Reverend Hana Popea has recently been named a White Ribbon Ambassador. Reverend Popea was born in Samoa and brings a Pasefika perspective to issues of family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Prestigious award for daylight research pioneer Professor Anna Wirz-Justice
Thursday 17 November 2022
World authority on sleep and depression research, psychiatric neurobiologist Professor Anna Wirz-Justice has been awarded the prestigious Daylight Research Award 2022.
Founding Fern cherishes the friendship and inclusiveness of women’s rugby
Thursday 10 November 2022
Watching the current Women’s Rugby World Cup has reminded Otago alumna Helen Littleworth of the “complete and utter honour” she felt representing Aotearoa New Zealand as a Black Fern at the first officially recognised Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991.
Love of rivers at heart of new scholarship honouring freshwater champion and inspiring future generations
Monday 31 October 2022
A new scholarship honouring the life and work of Associate Professor of Zoology Donald Scott has been established by the Otago Fish and Game Council, the Clutha Fisheries Trust and the University of Otago, working closely with Associate Professor Scott’s family.
Scholarships continue a strong education legacy
Friday 28 October 2022
Over the last decade Ralph and Eve Seelye Charitable Trust scholarships have helped many Otago students achieve their dreams.
