‘Stars’ of Matariki shine bright at UOC Staff Value Awards

While the annual University of Otago, Christchurch’s (UOC) Matariki Staff Value Awards are, as always, an opportunity to celebrate the campus’ own staff, teaching and research stars, this year’s event in the Rolleston Theatre was memorable for another reason –  a symbolic handover of Deanery leadership.

Professor Suzanne Pitama (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whare), Dean and Head of the Christchurch Campus from 2022-2025, welcomed her replacement to the role Professor Lutz Beckert, presenting him with a meaningful taonga – the UOC wooden mace hand-turned by the very first campus Dean Professor George Rolleston (1973-1981) and commissioned by the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation in 1988.

Lutz, who was appointed to the role of Dean and Head of Campus last month, expressed his gratitude to Suzanne, thanking her for her inspired leadership, as well as her mahi in upholding the legacy of the five campus values, around which the annual Maratiki Value Awards are now based.

“Suz lives by these values and inspired us to aspire to them, integrating them whole-heartedly into the DNA of this campus,” Lutz says.

In February Suzanne was appointed as the first wahine Māori and second ever woman as Dean of the Otago Medical School, replacing UOC Deputy-Dean Professor Tim Wilkinson who filled the role for the previous three years.

“Suz is a wahine toa, a person of natural leadership and integrity who has done so much for this campus and its growth. Her mana is shining across all of Otago University,” Lutz says.

Lutz presented Suz with the Special Leadership Award, recognising both mana (strength of character, power and influence earned through one’s standing, talent and actions) and whakatupu (actions to grow, raise and build up the whole community).

Te Marino Lenihan opened the awards with a mihimihi and a closing whakawātea.

Staff, students and guests were treated to some wonderful post-awards kai.

The UOC Matariki Staff Value Award winners for 2025 are:

Tōtara tū ki te parae/Social accountability

This award acknowledges staff contribution to utilising their research/teaching influence to better support community initiatives and innovations.

DSA Portfolio 2; Fran Barrett, Katrina Notton, Marie Watson, Brenda Rogers, Isabel Lyckholm, Sandra Scannell, Clara-Ann Paul, Cameron Montague Ebbs, Heather Reilly, for their annual commitment to making a difference by using their Social Impact Leave collectively and selecting a charity where they could contribute their time to support those in need; they also coordinate a donation so that the charity benefits from some financial support as well.

Nicola Scott and Sarah Appelby for leading four major outreach events over the past year targeting key community groups; Māori high school students, Pacific communities, whole year 10 science classes, and the general public. Each event was supported by 8-15 volunteers ranging from clinical to professional staff and students and featured interactive resources designed to engage participants in meaningful conversations about cardiovascular health.

Ngākau tapatahi/Integrity

This award acknowledges staff for their integrity in supporting staff and students at the UOC campus.

Sheila Mark for her unwavering support of staff and students over the past year in making herself available, offering her time, care and compassionate listening ear; her kindness, empathy and quiet dedication has made a lasting impact on the wellbeing and sense of community on campus.

Mā whero, mā pango/Collaboration

This award acknowledges staff for their demonstration as a key stakeholder in supporting the growth and development of the UOC campus.

Diane Ness for being instrumental in the coordination of the UOC electives and selectives team; and playing a significant role in collaboration across UOW, UOC and DSM to bring all the campus-based elective teams together in the revised cross-campus model.

Jack Stewart for his outstanding collaboration on many occasions over the past year with staff, students and external people to come up with results which consider the points of view of all involved, often with an added piece of humour.

Mau Te Rangimarie Clark for his exceptional ability effectively networking and building collaborations with a wide range of group across the country over the past year, which has brought significant benefits to the research projects he is currently involved with – benefits which will help improve outcomes, particularly for Māori with mental health difficulties.

Aroha ki te tangata/Respect

This award acknowledges staff for their ongoing support to UOC through their networking and advocacy.

Tami Hwang for her innate ability to sense when someone needs additional; support, responding with empathy and care which goes above and beyond expectations, including utilising her translation skills to bridge language barriers and ensure clear, respectful communication for those who may otherwise struggle to be understood.

Teaching award

Jenny Jordan  in acknowledgement of her demonstrated sustained outstanding competence in direct teaching and/or supervision, course development and/or innovation, and contribution to the UOC teaching and learning environment.

The Robin Fraser Research Supporter of the Year Award

Acknowledgement of outstanding support to research and researchers.

The UOC Research and Enterprise Team – Suzanne Benjes, Ian Cooke, EJ Sinclair, Kosta Tabakakis, Sarah-Jane Best for going over and above standard duties supporting researcher in multiple ways, especially during this challenging time.

Christchurch Medical Students Association (CMSA) Awards to Staff

The staff member adjudged by students to have been the Best Consultant Teacher; 4^th Year Tamara Glynn; 5^th Year Tamara Brodie; 6^th Year Logan Walker.

The staff member adjudged by students to have been the Best Registrar Teacher; 4^th Year Jeremy Wild; 5^th Year Matty Sollis; 6^th Year Jessica Crampton.

The staff member adjudged by students to have been the Best House Officer Teacher; 4^th Year Alesha McKeenan; 5^th Year Georgia Dyson; 6^th Year Duncan Finlayson.

The teaching run adjudged by students to have been the Best Module; 4^th Year - Surgery; 5^th Year - Medicine; 6^th Year - Selective.

The staff member adjudged by students to have been the Best Module Convenor; 4^th Year Lynette Murdoch; 5^th Year Nick Douglas; 6^th Year Laura Joyce.

The vertical module adjudged by students to have been the Best Vertical Module; 4^th Year Haematology; 5^th Year Clinical Skills; 6^th Year Radiology.

The staff member adjudged by students to have been the Best Vertical Module Teacher; 4^th Year Andrew Miller; 5^th Year Sean MacPherson; 6^th Year John Dean.

The staff member adjudged by students to have offered the most support; 4^th Year Wendy Sincock; 5^th Year Libby Friel; 6^th Year Angela Craig.

Mana whakatupu/leadership

This award acknowledges staff for their demonstrated leadership at UOC.

Rebekah Higgs for her leadership and commitment to her team and the Department within her portfolio during an extended period of unplanned staff absences in her DSA team in early 2025. The result ensured continuity of service for staff in the impacted departments within her team, as well as students.

Amanda Clifford for her leadership over the past year advocating for postgraduate students on campus, particularly in the area of student support – advocating for an international postgraduate student orientation to be held at UOC, implemented this year, coordinating events for international students, and organising visits from Dunedin-based staff to support students.

The Gold Medal for Research Excellence

The criteria for the Gold Medal is underpinned by the values of the University of Otago, Christchurch, and the recipient has demonstrated sustained excellence in all areas and the bulk of the research work has been carried out at UOC.

Jenny Jordan – Department of Psychological Medicine 

The Gold Medal for Teaching Excellence

The recipients have demonstrated sustained outstanding competence at least one of the three required areas, and sustained competence in the others; and have performed the majority of contributions while at the University of Otago, Christchurch.

Recipients:  Amanda Landers – Department of Medicine; Bronnie Lennox-Thompson – Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine. 

Kōrero by Lorelei Mason