Associate Dean (Postgraduate Studies)
Associate Professor Margaret Currie
Tel +64 3 364 0544
Email margaret.currie@otago.ac.nz
Associate Dean (Māori)
Associate Professor Suzanne Pitama
Tel +64 3 364 3677
Email suzanne.pitama@otago.ac.nz
Māori Postgraduate Support Adviser
Pete Russell is able to support postgraduate students in Christchurch
Tel +64 3 479 8082
Email peter.russell@otago.ac.nz
Associate Dean (Pacific)
Dr Kiki Maoate
Email kiki.maoate@otago.ac.nz
Wellbeing
Nikki Fahey, University of Otago Graduate Wellbeing Coach, is based in the University's Graduate Research Office in Dunedin but available via Zoom or phone for Christchurch campus postgraduate students.
Graduate Wellbeing Coaching is for anyone who needs some help with lost motivation, procrastination and feeling overwhelmed, managing the supervisory relationship, navigating University processes, to debrief, to help manage mental or physical health, to manage life stressors affecting study, to make plans or schedules, to set goals, or to develop a good routine.
Nikki is available for postgraduate students at all three campuses for sessions of up to an hour, free of charge:
Email nikki.fahey@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 4327
Hours: Monday to Thursday, variable hours
Chaplain
The Otago chaplains are available to help anyone, regardless of faith, with issues such as homesickness or grief as well as spiritual or religious questions.
Sheila Mark
Ecumenical chaplain based at the Christchurch Campus of the University.
Email sheila.mark@otago.ac.nz
“Kia ora koutou katoa. My name is Sheila Mark. I'm the University of Otago Chaplain on site at the Christchurch Campus. My role is to support and come alongside both students and staff who are journeying through life, with all of its highs and lows.
“My kete of experience fills a little more each day as I interact with people and we learn from each other. I bring with me a background in Nursing, including both general and mental health experience, pastoral and counselling work and, more recently, chaplaincy at Christchurch Hospital where I also currently work.
“On a more personal note, I am married to an amazing tāne with 4 adult tamariki and one gorgeous mokopuna. At the end of each day I enjoy retreating out to Lincoln to relax, unwinding with at-home yoga and a good book.
“If you see me around on campus, please don't hesitate to come up and say kia ora.”
Prayer space
There is a Muslim prayer room for Otago students located on the seventh floor of the University of Otago Christchurch main building.
The Christchurch Hospital chapel, ground floor, Christchurch Hospital, is also available to all denominations for prayer.
Puāwaitanga – Individual counselling, easy access, where you are
Get support with feelings of anxiety, low mood, relationships, grief, addictions, low self-esteem, or low confidence.
- A free phone and online support service to help strengthen your hauora (well-being)
- Counselling sessions held over the phone and using a web-based program
- Sessions can be held anytime between 9am–9pm, 7 days a week
- Independent, confidential, free
Enrol online or call 0800 782 999
Health services
Christchurch services
The Christchurch Doctors provide a General Practice service to medical students and to full-time postgraduate students at the University of Otago, Christchurch.
- When making an appointment, you must indicate that you are a University of Otago Christchurch student patient and also which doctor you wish to see.
- The arrangements with The Christchurch Doctors follow negotiation with students and are covered in the Student Services Fee paid by full-time postgraduate students located in Christchurch.
Visit the Christchurch Doctors website
Other General Practitioners
Other General Practitioners may be used by full-time postgraduates located in Christchurch on a case-by-case basis with approval by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Studies).
To organise this, please contact:
Email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Community Services Card
If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible for a Community Services Card.
Visit the Work and Income website for more information on the Community Services Card
International students are not eligible for a community services card and should request a receipt and lodge a claim with their health insurer.
Non-subsidised services
The following services will not be subsidised by the UOC but are available from the health centre:
- House calls and after hours
- Diving medical assessment
- Insurance report
- Immigration medical
- Insurance medical
- Well person checks
- Depo Provera injection
- IUD insertion
- Wart removal
For after hours medical care or pharmacy:
24-Hour Surgery
401 Madras Street
Tel +64 3 365 7777
Visit the 24-Hour Surgery website for information
In an emergency, ring an ambulance by dialling 111, or proceed straight to the Emergency Department of the Christchurch Public Hospital, 2 Riccarton Avenue.
If you have a medical emergency while working in the main University of Otago, Christchurch building you can ring 777 for assistance.
Flu vaccinations
CDHB Occupational Health run a free flu vaccination programme in March/April – times/venues are advertised around the hospitals.
External emergency support agencies
View the list of Emergency Services, Christchurch
PSOC: The Association for Postgraduate Students of Otago, Christchurch
As a postgraduate student studying through University of Otago, Christchurch, you are a member of PSOC. PSOC is run by postgraduate students for postgraduate students. Elections for PSOC Executive are held annually.
The PSOC Executive provides you with: representation, welfare, advocacy on research and educational issues, social events and networking opportunities.
Email psoc.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Information about the association and its events and activities is on the PSOC Facebook page:
facebook.com/psoc.uoc/
Other services
- Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) provides members with representation, welfare, advocacy, and media. OUSA is completely independent from the rest of the University.
- Māori student support services (Dunedin campus) The Māori Centre is a support service for all students of iwi descent. The Centre aims to encourage iwi Māori to participate and succeed in tertiary education.
- Pacific Island Student Support Services (Dunedin campus)
- International student support
- Healthy Campus has a range of tools and resources to help students and staff enhance their health and wellbeing.
- UOC Postgraduate Student Support Fund (PDF)