First-year tauira Hannah Webb, pictured on a trip last semester, has settled into University life by joining many, many clubs and making the most of her time living in a College.
Join the club isn’t just a saying for Otago tauira Hannah Webb – it’s a note to self.
Hannah, who is in the first year of a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and a Bachelor of Laws, has already joined a plethora of clubs, including the University of Otago Canoe Club, the University of Otago Tramping Club, the Otago Ski Club, Otago Women in Business, and the Otago Case Consulting Club.
Being busy isn’t a new thing for Hannah though. During her time at Gisborne Girls' High School she was a competitive kayaker and also participated in surf lifesaving, running, mountain biking, surfing, skiing and hockey – just one of the reasons she was awarded a University of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Entrance Scholarship.
“Kayaking has always been a huge part of my life,” Hannah says.
“Throughout high school I was in four New Zealand teams that competed in various places around the world. The highlight was competing at the Junior Canoe Sprint Worlds in Portugal in 2025.
“It was the best experience of my life. I got to train in Spain for three weeks leading up to it, and competing was unreal.”
Other sporting achievements include coming first in the Asia Pacific Cup in Japan last year in their K4 and also getting first nationally in the K1 1000m in 2024.
“Most of my life I’ve defined and centred my whole life around kayaking, and I wanted to spend my first year at Otago shaping myself into a person that is more than just my sport and my achievements."
Hannah was also involved in a range of activities that benefited her community. She was a volunteer lifeguard for five years, was a Trade Aid ambassador, and she showed her entrepreneurial side through her Young Enterprise project that provided breakfasts for busy professionals.
This year, due to personal reasons and some injuries, Hannah has decided to take a break from competitive kayaking but that doesn’t mean she’s slowed down any.
“Most of my life I’ve defined and centred my whole life around kayaking, and I wanted to spend my first year at Otago shaping myself into a person that is more than just my sport and my achievements.
“It’s been the perfect break from competitive sports, while also still being so active and trying new things. It’s also meant I can create new academic goals.”
While competitive kayaking has been a key part of Hannah Webb’s life for the past six years, she’s enjoying the chance to try new things now she’s a student.
Somewhere among all this, she’s also finding time to build friendships.
“I’m in Studholme College, which I’ve loved so much. It’s the perfect mix of social, sport and academics and I’ve met the most amazing people I can share my interests with.
“I’ve gotten super passionate about tramping. One of the highlights of semester one was hiking the Brewster Track with two friends I made from my hall.”
Between her College and the long list of clubs, Hannah may just have cracked the code for settling into her first year of University.
“I honestly haven’t found it hard at all. Otago now feels like my home, and I haven’t gotten homesick at all. When I went back for the mid-year break I actually got upset when leaving Dunedin.”
Her advice to anyone considering coming to Otago is to just do it, she says.
“Even if you’re unsure of what you’re passionate about you should come here. It’s the perfect place to develop yourself into the person you want to be.”
– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Laura Hewson
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