Nominations for the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards
Applications for individuals or teaching teams are due by 5pm, Monday, 9 February 2026 for the University of Otago Awards Teaching Excellence Awards.
The University of Otago normally offers up to six Teaching Excellence Awards. There will normally be three in the General Award category, one in the Kaupapa Māori Award category, one in the Pacific Award category, and one Group Award which can be in any of the categories. In any category an award may be given with an endorsement in Distance Teaching or Teaching with Technology.
Nominees submit their CV, their teaching profile and a teaching statement (no more than 2,000 words for individuals and 3,000 words for groups) by the February closing date. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of March and will receive a certificate and $5,000 to support their learning and teaching.
Application process
Information and application guidelines are available on the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Teaching Excellence Awards webpage:
Applications for nomination by the University of Otago close at 5pm, Monday, 9 February 2026 and should be emailed as a single PDF.
Email dvc.academic@otago.ac.nz
For further information
If you have questions about the application process or want guidance for writing an application, please contact the Deputy Convener of the Awards Panel, Dr Rebecca Bird.
Email rebecca.bird@otago.ac.nz
Please download and read the award guidelines document below, which explains the process of applying, the criteria, and where to send your application.
Previous winners
View a list of previous Teaching Award winners (PDF)
Contact
Dr Rebecca Bird
Email rebecca.bird@otago.ac.nz