Ori '23
Monday 20 February 2023OUSA runs a programme of great music events, outdoor movies, a food festival and fun-filled daytime events.
Orientation is a week of activities to help you settle into university life
Orientation runs the week before the start of the first semester. It's a great opportunity for you to find your way around campus and ensure that by the time classes start, you're ready to get going.
Manawhenua welcome for 2023
View our manawhenua welcome for 2023, 8:07 minutes.
Find the words of welcome from our Vice Chancellor, Professor David Murdoch, from 6:26.
Pre-Orientation Week events
Thursday 16 February to Saturday 18 February
Pacific first-year students' orientation: Growing Pacific scholars 2023
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 February
UNIO 101: University transition and success
UNIO 101 is your introduction to university study. Find out what to expect when studying at university (and how it will be different from secondary school), and how you can develop good study habits to set yourself up for success.
There are UNIO 101 sessions each day from Monday to Thursday during Orientation Week, and you can find the online video modules and other resources at the link below:
Monday 20 February
UNIO 101: University transition and success
Monday 20 February 2023 - St David Complex Lecture TheatreWhat you need to know about university study, including advice and study tips to set you up for academic success.
Campus tours
Monday 20 February 2023 - St David Complex (front entrance)Get to know the University campus, with a focus on your area of study.
Turaka Hou Pōwhiri, Ōtākou Marae
Monday 20 February 2023 - Te Huka Mātauraka (the Māori Centre), 515 Castle Street NorthWe warmly welcome you and your whānau to attend the pōwhiri at Ōtākou Marae.
Course advice
Monday 20 February 2023 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services BuildingStudent advisers can help you review your study choices and check you're on track to gain the most from your degree.
eTransition: IT setup drop-in sessions
Monday 20 February 2023 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and BGet your device set up, and learn how to access and use the University's IT systems.
Meet Locals in your area
Monday 20 February 2023 at 4:00pm - Otago Business School Atrium, 60 Clyde St, Corner of Clyde Street and Union Street EastA social event for students who are flatting, boarding or living at home in their first year.
Tuesday 21 February
Campus tours
Tuesday 21 February 2023 - St David Complex (front entrance)Get to know the University campus, with a focus on your area of study.
Ori '23
Tuesday 21 February 2023OUSA runs a programme of great music events, outdoor movies, a food festival and fun-filled daytime events.
Course advice
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services BuildingStudent advisers can help you review your study choices and check you're on track to gain the most from your degree.
eTransition: IT setup drop-in sessions
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and BGet your device set up, and learn how to access and use the University's IT systems.
UNIO 101: University transition and success
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 10:00am - St David Complex Lecture TheatreWhat you need to know about university study, including advice and study tips to set you up for academic success.
Locals pre-Collegiate Sports Day meet-up
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 11:30am - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)A chance to take your new Locals t-shirt out for a spin, enjoy a Dunner stunner and kick off the intercollege competition for 2023.
University Collegiate Sports Day
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 12:30pm - Logan ParkAn afternoon of social sport – complete with chants, flags and collegiate t-shirts.
Wednesday 22 February
Campus tours
Wednesday 22 February 2023 - St David Complex (front entrance)Get to know the University campus, with a focus on your area of study.
UNIO 101: University transition and success
Wednesday 22 February 2023 - St David Complex Lecture TheatreWhat you need to know about university study, including advice and study tips to set you up for academic success.
Ori '23
Wednesday 22 February 2023OUSA runs a programme of great music events, outdoor movies, a food festival and fun-filled daytime events.
Course advice
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services BuildingStudent advisers can help you review your study choices and check you're on track to gain the most from your degree.
eTransition: IT setup drop-in sessions
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and BGet your device set up, and learn how to access and use the University's IT systems.
Let's get down to Business
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 10:00am - Ground floor, Otago Business SchoolNau mai, haere mai, and a very warm welcome to all BCom, BEntr, BComSci and BACom students.
Mature student meet and greet
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 10:00am - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)A social event for first year students aged 20 or over.
The Amazing Trace (Locals)
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 1:00pm - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)Learn how to navigate campus in style. For students who are flatting, boarding or living at home in their first year.
Sciences course advice
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 1:00pm - Smithell's Gymnasium, 690 Cumberland StreetExpert academic advice for students enrolled in the BSc, BAppSc, BASc, BComSc, Surveying First Year or Engineering Intermediate.
Secrets to Academic Success for international students
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 2:00pm - Castle 1 Lecture TheatreA seminar for international students new to Otago.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Orientation
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 2:15pm - St David Complex Lecture TheatreYour introduction to everything about the Bachelor of Arts at Otago.
Thrive and Survive seminar for international students
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 3:00pm - Castle 1 Lecture TheatreInformation and tips for navigating the Otago community as an international student.
Spot the Difference seminar for international students
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 4:00pm - Castle 1 Lecture TheatreGet some tips on how to navigate Kiwi culture.
Locals Pre-Toga Party
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 6:00pm - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)Enjoy the lead up to your Toga Party in style with Locals! We have sheets and expert toga tiers ready to help you.
Toga Party
Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 8:00pm - Union Lawn and HallGrab your sheets and head on down.
Thursday 23 February
UNIO 101: University transition and success
Thursday 23 February 2023 - St David Complex Lecture TheatreWhat you need to know about university study, including advice and study tips to set you up for academic success.
Ori '23
Thursday 23 February 2023OUSA runs a programme of great music events, outdoor movies, a food festival and fun-filled daytime events.
Campus tours
Thursday 23 February 2023 - St David Complex (front entrance)Get to know the University campus, with a focus on your area of study.
Course advice
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services BuildingStudent advisers can help you review your study choices and check you're on track to gain the most from your degree.
eTransition: IT setup drop-in sessions
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and BGet your device set up, and learn how to access and use the University's IT systems.
Locals welcome repeat
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 10:00am - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)Kai Māori Festival
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 11:00am - The open space next to Te Roopū Māori and Te Huka Mātauraka, 515 Castle St NorthFeaturing kai stalls, a live band, performances from local kapa haka roopū, spot prizes and competitions, and representation from mana whenua and all the Nga Roopū Māori executives.
Hāngī lunch
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 12:00pm - Te Huka Mātauraka, 515 Castle Street NorthA welcome lunch for tauira Māori at Te Huka Mātauraka (the Māori Centre) – your “whānau on campus”.
Sciences course advice
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 1:00pm - Smithell's Gymnasium, 690 Cumberland StreetExpert academic advice for students enrolled in the BSc, BAppSc, BASc, BComSc, Surveying First Year or Engineering Intermediate.
International students' official welcome and pizza buffet
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 2:30pm - St David Lecture TheatreInternational students new to Otago are invited to attend the official welcome, International Expo and pizza buffet.
University of Otago Pacific Welcome
Thursday 23 February 2023 at 5:30pm - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre (welcome) and St David Complex (dinner).Our annual welcome event for all new and returning Pacific students and their families.
Friday 24 February
Combined degrees overview
Friday 24 February 2023 - Castle 1 Lecture TheatreAn introduction to the combined degrees at Otago, for new BACom, BASc and BComSc students.
Ori '23
Friday 24 February 2023OUSA runs a programme of great music events, outdoor movies, a food festival and fun-filled daytime events.
Preliminary lectures
Friday 24 February 2023 at 8:30am - VariousShort presentations that give you important introductory information about your papers.
Locals HQ open day
Friday 24 February 2023 at 9:00am - Locals HQ Takuahi Kirirarau (top floor, Union Building)Come and hang out with the Locals Team at our HQ in between your prelim lectures.
Course advice
Friday 24 February 2023 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services BuildingStudent advisers can help you review your study choices and check you're on track to gain the most from your degree.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) orientation
Friday 24 February 2023 at 11:00am - Castle 1 Lecture TheatreA dedicated orientation session for Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) students, to help you get set for the next three years.
Pride Night
Friday 24 February 2023 at 4:00pm - Otago Museum Reserve LawnJoin us for a celebration of queerness in Ōtepoti!