Next year, Te Kura Ākau Taitoka ki Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – the University of Otago College of Education is celebrating 150 years of teacher education in Otago. (Photo credit: Story time n.d. B&W. Hocken Collections – Uare Taoka o Hākena, AG-287/073/016)
Hoki whakamuri, kia anga whakamua – Look to the past to forge the future.
This whakataukī is at the heart of the celebrations next year marking 150 years of teacher education in Otago, and in Aotearoa.
In a first for the province and for the country, the Dunedin Teachers’ Training College (TTC) was established in 1876, for educating primary school teachers. It came shortly after Otago led the way with university education, with the founding of the University of Otago in 1869.
A second teacher education campus was established in 1980 in Invercargill.
On 1 January 2007, the Dunedin College of Education (previously the TTC) merged with the University of Otago to create the University of Otago College of Education – Te Kura Ākau Taitoka.
With the merger, the University also gained the Invercargill campus (Ahuahu Te Mātauranga), which delivers a range of teacher education programmes in Early Childhood, Primary, and Bicultural Education.
Dean of the College today, Professor Vivienne Anderson, says the College’s reputation for excellence in education studies and initial teacher education stands on the shoulders of this groundbreaking history. The College also has a vibrant research environment, focussed on improving the understanding of education and enhancing educational practice.
“The College takes full advantage of the traditions of both the Dunedin College of Education and the University, through combined staff expertise in teaching and research,” says Vivienne.
“The 150th milestone gives us a unique opportunity to honour and remember all those who have built this proud reputation and who have been part of the College’s story.
“It is also a time to look to the future, to consider our role in developing the educators and educational researchers of tomorrow, while ensuring our education system serves the needs of mokopuna.”
Central to the celebration is a reunion of alumni of the former TTC, Dunedin College of Education (DCE), University of Otago Faculty of Education, and University of Otago College of Education, on the weekend of 16-18 October 2026.
Events during the weekend will include a mihi whakatau and brunch, an art tour, a dinner and dance, campus tours, and plenty of opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues.
During the year, an archival collection of stories of Māori and Pacific alumni is being compiled, culminating in an exhibition in the main University Library during the reunion weekend.
“We want our reunion weekend to be a time to share stories and memories, and to rekindle old bonds and form new ones. This will be a time to celebrate the special place Otago holds in the Aotearoa education system,” says Vivienne.
“To all alumni who have been part of the proud legacy of teacher education in southern Te Waipounamu, we hope you can join us here in October 2026, to maintain, renew and make new connections, to celebrate all that has been, and all that is yet to come.”
- Kōrero by Margie Clark, Communications Adviser, Development and Alumni Relations Office
150 years of teacher education
In 2026, Te Kura Ākau Taitoka ki Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – the University of Otago College of Education – celebrates 150 years of initial teacher education in Otago.
Find out more