The 20Twenties Young Alumni Awards celebrates the achievements of 20 University of Otago alumni who are still in their twenties.
Many of our young alumni have achieved great things in a wide array of arenas and within diverse aspects of many different communities. These young alumni are true trailblazers who challenge the status quo to make a better future for all of us. The 20Twenties awards celebrate what they have achieved and acknowledge them publicly.
Read about the recipients of the inaugural 20Twenties Young Alumni Awards.
Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle
Ngāi Tahu, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi
In recognition of leadership, mentorship of students, and of his higher studies.
BCom Major Marketing Management 2013
BA(Hons) Major Psychology 2016
Lisa Blakie
Ngāi Tahu
Contribution to creative and ethical video game development.
BA(Hons) Major Communication Studies 2015
Emily Fry
Contribution to the field of digital technologies and their privacy and security implications.
LLB(Hons) 2017
BCom Major Accounting 2017
Sargam Goundar
Contribution to climate change initiatives and in recognition of her leadership.
PGDipArts Major Geography 2016
Sophie Mathiesen
Contribution to science communication.
BSc Major Neuroscience and Psychology 2016
BSc(Hons) Major Psychology 2017
Fox Meyer
In recognition of scientific curiosity for the betterment of the community.
BSc Major Geology 2019
Darryl Pupi
Contribution to health and well-being through leadership and innovation of nutrition programmes.
BSc Major Human Nutrition 2015
Georgia Robertson
In recognition of leadership in a non-profit organisation that benefits education projects.
BA Major Politics 2015
LLB 2015
George Taiaroa
In recognition of research work in response to COVID-19.
BSC Major in Genetics and Plant Biotechnology 2013
BSc(Hons) Major Plant Biotechnology 2014.
20Twenties inaugural award winners
Below is a full list of recipients for the 20Twenties Young Alumni awards. Read more about the awards here.
Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle BCom BA(Hons): In recognition of leadership, mentorship of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and of his higher studies.
Lisa Blakie BA(Hons): For her contribution to creative and ethical video game development.
Thomas Devine BSc(Hons): In recognition of his leadership as Kaiāwhina Māori, mentorship of younger students and of pursuing higher studies.
Sinead Ford BPhEd PGDipSci: In recognition of extensive leadership and volunteer work.
Emily Fry LLB(Hons) BCom: For her contribution to the field of digital technologies and their security implications.
Sargam Goundar PGDipArts: For her contribution to climate change initiatives and in recognition of her leadership.
Martin Hannah BSc PGDipSci: For his contribution to child and youth development.
Francisco Hernandez BA(Hons) MEntr: In recognition of his leadership of climate change initiatives.
Abby Howells BA(Hons): In recognition of her success as a comedian, actor, improviser, and writer.
Pinky Lal BSc(Hons): In recognition of her extensive volunteer and leadership work.
Bethany Lomax BSc(Hons): For her contribution to space research.
Sophie Mathiesen BSc(Hons): For her contribution to science communication.
Aidan Meyer COP BSc: In recognition of scientific curiosity for the betterment of the community.
Jo Mohan BCom: In recognition of her entrepreneurial spirit to better the environment.
Sophie Oliff BPharm: In recognition of leadership and volunteer work in the health sector.
Darryl Pupi BSc: For his contribution to health and well-being through leadership and innovation of nutrition programmes.
Georgia Robertson LLB BA: In recognition of leadership in a non-profit organisation that benefits education projects.
George Taiaroa BSc(Hons): In recognition of research work in response to Covid-19.
Georgia Thomson-Laing BSc(Hons) MSc: In recognition of research into aquatic health for the betterment of community health and for her commitment to mentoring.
Kawiti Waetford MusB: In recognition of success as a performer and for commitment to rangatahi.