University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
@universityofotago.bsky.social
Psychology Professor Cliff Abraham and PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a rua) received Royal Society Te Apārangi awards last night 👏
Find out more about their honours 👇
Find out more about their honours 👇
Royal Society honours Otago researchers
Two University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers, at either end of their careers, have received Royal Society Te Apārangi awards for their work.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 12, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Psychology Professor Cliff Abraham and PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a rua) received Royal Society Te Apārangi awards last night 👏
Find out more about their honours 👇
Find out more about their honours 👇
Otago's Law community has struck gold once again, with 4 alumni and staff receiving Borrin Foundation awards 💪⚖️
Read about the recipients 👇
Read about the recipients 👇
Fellowships for alumni and staff reflect strength of Otago Law community
Congratulations to the four Otago alumni and staff who have been awarded Borrin Foundation Fellowships, and Travel and Learning Awards.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Otago's Law community has struck gold once again, with 4 alumni and staff receiving Borrin Foundation awards 💪⚖️
Read about the recipients 👇
Read about the recipients 👇
A new species of fossil billfish has been named Zealandorhynchus fordycei, honouring the legacy of the late Emeritus Professor Ewan Fordyce ❤️🩹
The species is one of two rare fossil billfish skulls from about 50 million years ago found in Otago.
Read more here 🔗 www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/n...
The species is one of two rare fossil billfish skulls from about 50 million years ago found in Otago.
Read more here 🔗 www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/n...
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 AM
A new species of fossil billfish has been named Zealandorhynchus fordycei, honouring the legacy of the late Emeritus Professor Ewan Fordyce ❤️🩹
The species is one of two rare fossil billfish skulls from about 50 million years ago found in Otago.
Read more here 🔗 www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/n...
The species is one of two rare fossil billfish skulls from about 50 million years ago found in Otago.
Read more here 🔗 www.otago.ac.nz/about/news/n...
A mana-enhancing research project in Te Tari Mātauranga Matū – the Department of Chemistry has received support from an Otago Research Grant 🧑🔬
The project will use Māori methodologies to determine how tauira and kaimahi experience undergraduate chemistry education at Otago.
Read more here ⬇️
The project will use Māori methodologies to determine how tauira and kaimahi experience undergraduate chemistry education at Otago.
Read more here ⬇️
Creating Te Tiriti partnerships in Mātai matū – Chemistry
A mana-enhancing approach to better understand Māori students’ learning journeys in Chemistry has received support from a University of Otago Research Grant.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
A mana-enhancing research project in Te Tari Mātauranga Matū – the Department of Chemistry has received support from an Otago Research Grant 🧑🔬
The project will use Māori methodologies to determine how tauira and kaimahi experience undergraduate chemistry education at Otago.
Read more here ⬇️
The project will use Māori methodologies to determine how tauira and kaimahi experience undergraduate chemistry education at Otago.
Read more here ⬇️
Meet two Otago kaimahi working at the forefront of rare genetic disease research: Professor Stephanie Hughes and Associate Professor Louise Bicknell 🧬🌟
A revolution in genetic sequencing technology is helping them bring answers to families facing ultra-rare disorders.
Read more here⬇️
A revolution in genetic sequencing technology is helping them bring answers to families facing ultra-rare disorders.
Read more here⬇️
DNA detectives: the Otago scientists decoding ultra-rare genetic disorders
A global revolution in genetic sequencing is helping University of Otago scientists solve the mysteries of ultra-rare disorders, for one family at a time.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Meet two Otago kaimahi working at the forefront of rare genetic disease research: Professor Stephanie Hughes and Associate Professor Louise Bicknell 🧬🌟
A revolution in genetic sequencing technology is helping them bring answers to families facing ultra-rare disorders.
Read more here⬇️
A revolution in genetic sequencing technology is helping them bring answers to families facing ultra-rare disorders.
Read more here⬇️
We're kicking off the second series of our alumni podcast iOU by catching up with Lynley Edmeades! 🎙️🎓
Lynley talks to us about the many hats she wears, her student days at Otago, and her new book 'Hiding Places'.
Check it out 👉
Lynley talks to us about the many hats she wears, her student days at Otago, and her new book 'Hiding Places'.
Check it out 👉
Editor, author, mother, lecturer – Lynley Edmeades shares her stories | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
It’s been a busy year for Lynley Edmeades – Lynley is an author, an English lecturer at Otago, and editor of Aotearoa’s longest running arts and literary journal Landfall Tauraka. She is also the coor...
rss.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
We're kicking off the second series of our alumni podcast iOU by catching up with Lynley Edmeades! 🎙️🎓
Lynley talks to us about the many hats she wears, her student days at Otago, and her new book 'Hiding Places'.
Check it out 👉
Lynley talks to us about the many hats she wears, her student days at Otago, and her new book 'Hiding Places'.
Check it out 👉
Otago researchers, including students and alumni, left the recent international Adaptation Futures Conference feeling inspired💡✅
The climate change adaptation conference brought together nearly 2,000 practitioners to collaborate towards a more sustainable future. Read more here⬇️
The climate change adaptation conference brought together nearly 2,000 practitioners to collaborate towards a more sustainable future. Read more here⬇️
International Adaptation Futures Conference inspires Otago researchers
Otago researchers recently attended the international Adaptation Futures Conference as the flagship event of the United Nations World Adaptation Science Programme.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 8, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Otago researchers, including students and alumni, left the recent international Adaptation Futures Conference feeling inspired💡✅
The climate change adaptation conference brought together nearly 2,000 practitioners to collaborate towards a more sustainable future. Read more here⬇️
The climate change adaptation conference brought together nearly 2,000 practitioners to collaborate towards a more sustainable future. Read more here⬇️
Eight research Centres have secured funding in the latest University of Otago Research Centre funding round👏
Each will receive a total of $200,000 to boost research in health, climate, culture, and more.
Read more about the winning Centres here⬇️
Each will receive a total of $200,000 to boost research in health, climate, culture, and more.
Read more about the winning Centres here⬇️
Re-established Research Centre funding welcome in ‘grim’ environment
Research centres are celebrating securing money from the recent Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago Research Centre funding round.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Eight research Centres have secured funding in the latest University of Otago Research Centre funding round👏
Each will receive a total of $200,000 to boost research in health, climate, culture, and more.
Read more about the winning Centres here⬇️
Each will receive a total of $200,000 to boost research in health, climate, culture, and more.
Read more about the winning Centres here⬇️
Today, 7 November, is Infant Protection Day 💜 Otago kaimahi Dr Lisa Kremer (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, and Waitaha) and Dr Amber Young (Taranaki Iwi), based in the School of Pharmacy, keep this kaupapa at the centre of their mahi year-round.
Read more about their research in pēpi protection 👇
Read more about their research in pēpi protection 👇
Prioritising pēpi protection
With research in infant medications and maternal vaccinations, both Lisa and Amber are motivated by the belief that infants deserve a high standard of healthcare so they might grow and thrive.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 7, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Today, 7 November, is Infant Protection Day 💜 Otago kaimahi Dr Lisa Kremer (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, and Waitaha) and Dr Amber Young (Taranaki Iwi), based in the School of Pharmacy, keep this kaupapa at the centre of their mahi year-round.
Read more about their research in pēpi protection 👇
Read more about their research in pēpi protection 👇
Dr Zac McIvor has been awarded an Otago Research Grant to continue a community-based archaeological collaboration with mana whenua of Aotea Harbour, Waikato 👏 The project explores their archaeological past to inform the present and prepare for the future.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Partnership project in Aotea Harbour, Waikato receives Otago Research Grant
Dr Zac McIvor, with the Archaeology Programme at Otago, has received a University of Otago Research Grant (UORG) to continue a collaboration between mana whenua of Aotea Harbour, Waikato on their comm...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 7, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Dr Zac McIvor has been awarded an Otago Research Grant to continue a community-based archaeological collaboration with mana whenua of Aotea Harbour, Waikato 👏 The project explores their archaeological past to inform the present and prepare for the future.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Otago-led research has found that in the event of a trade-ending global catastrophe, Aotearoa is at risk of losing access to life-saving medicines due to reliance on imported ingredients – but researchers have suggested approaches that may mitigate this.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
NZ faces medicines shortage if global trade cut off, researchers find
New Zealanders could lose access to life-saving medicines in a trade-ending global catastrophe because imported ingredients are needed to locally manufacture commonly used medicines, research led by t...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 7, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Otago-led research has found that in the event of a trade-ending global catastrophe, Aotearoa is at risk of losing access to life-saving medicines due to reliance on imported ingredients – but researchers have suggested approaches that may mitigate this.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed among Māori, Pacific and European rangatahi, and vaping could be the reason, an international research collaboration has found 🚭
Senior author Associate Professor Andrew Waa says urgent action is needed.
Read more here ⬇️
Senior author Associate Professor Andrew Waa says urgent action is needed.
Read more here ⬇️
Vaping contributing to higher rates of smoking in Māori and Pacific youth
Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed for Māori, Pacific and European adolescents, and vaping could be the reason, according to research published today in The Lancet Regional Health – We...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed among Māori, Pacific and European rangatahi, and vaping could be the reason, an international research collaboration has found 🚭
Senior author Associate Professor Andrew Waa says urgent action is needed.
Read more here ⬇️
Senior author Associate Professor Andrew Waa says urgent action is needed.
Read more here ⬇️
An Otago-led study has found that young people with neurodevelopmental conditions face substantial and preventable health inequalities, highlighting the need for further research and improvements in diagnosis and care.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Greater mortality risk highlights urgent need for intervention – study
Young people with neurodevelopmental conditions face substantial and preventable health inequalities, a University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study has found.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 6, 2025 at 3:23 AM
An Otago-led study has found that young people with neurodevelopmental conditions face substantial and preventable health inequalities, highlighting the need for further research and improvements in diagnosis and care.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Otago researchers are calling for dedicated government funding to support those affected by long Covid.
“Covid-19 may no longer be considered a public health emergency, but long Covid presents an ongoing and complex challenge for those affected," lead author Dr Sarah Rhodes says.
Read more here ⬇️
“Covid-19 may no longer be considered a public health emergency, but long Covid presents an ongoing and complex challenge for those affected," lead author Dr Sarah Rhodes says.
Read more here ⬇️
Healthcare system failing long Covid patients – study finds
Gaslighting, unmet needs, and a sense of being left behind – long Covid patients paint a bleak picture of their experiences with the Aotearoa New Zealand health system in a new University of Otago – Ō...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Otago researchers are calling for dedicated government funding to support those affected by long Covid.
“Covid-19 may no longer be considered a public health emergency, but long Covid presents an ongoing and complex challenge for those affected," lead author Dr Sarah Rhodes says.
Read more here ⬇️
“Covid-19 may no longer be considered a public health emergency, but long Covid presents an ongoing and complex challenge for those affected," lead author Dr Sarah Rhodes says.
Read more here ⬇️
Reposted by University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
More teenagers are now smoking regularly than if pre-vaping smoking trends had continued, widening inequities for Māori and Pacific youth.
Vaping has slowed progress in cutting teen smoking in NZ – new study
theconversation.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
More teenagers are now smoking regularly than if pre-vaping smoking trends had continued, widening inequities for Māori and Pacific youth.
Associate Professor Gwynaeth McIntyre has been awarded a University of Otago Prestigious Writing Grant to reframe the narrative around Roman historian Suetonius, who she says is a much more reliable source than his "scandalous anecdotes" might suggest 🏛️🫢
Read more ⬇️
Read more ⬇️
Suetonius more than his “scandalous anecdotes” – Classics scholar
An Otago Classics scholar will be taking a fresh look at author Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly referred to as Suetonius, a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial period of the Roma...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 5, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Associate Professor Gwynaeth McIntyre has been awarded a University of Otago Prestigious Writing Grant to reframe the narrative around Roman historian Suetonius, who she says is a much more reliable source than his "scandalous anecdotes" might suggest 🏛️🫢
Read more ⬇️
Read more ⬇️
Men are dying too young, Otago researchers have found in a new report.
A collaboration between Otago’s Centre for Men’s Health and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, the report is the most comprehensive investigation into men's health in Aotearoa to date.
Read more here ⬇️
A collaboration between Otago’s Centre for Men’s Health and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, the report is the most comprehensive investigation into men's health in Aotearoa to date.
Read more here ⬇️
Otago academics back call for national Men’s Health Strategy
Otago researchers’ contributions to a new report from the men’s global health charity Movember show coordinated action is needed across research, policy and services to improve health outcomes for men...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 5, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Men are dying too young, Otago researchers have found in a new report.
A collaboration between Otago’s Centre for Men’s Health and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, the report is the most comprehensive investigation into men's health in Aotearoa to date.
Read more here ⬇️
A collaboration between Otago’s Centre for Men’s Health and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, the report is the most comprehensive investigation into men's health in Aotearoa to date.
Read more here ⬇️
Otago researchers are truly out-of-this-world 😎🪐 21 kaimahi have been awarded a total of almost $14.4 million in Te Apārangi Royal Society Marsden Grants, spanning projects from outer space to starfish!
Read more about the talented awardees and their projects 👇
Read more about the talented awardees and their projects 👇
Otago research in outer space
A mission to search for the origin-of-life on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, will be aided by University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers, and provide insight into climate change on Earth.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Otago researchers are truly out-of-this-world 😎🪐 21 kaimahi have been awarded a total of almost $14.4 million in Te Apārangi Royal Society Marsden Grants, spanning projects from outer space to starfish!
Read more about the talented awardees and their projects 👇
Read more about the talented awardees and their projects 👇
Otago's Pacific Thought Network recently hosted its annual public panel event, bringing scholars, students, and community together under the theme 'Reimagining Pacific Futures' 💛💙
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
PacTNet Panel explores authentic leadership and Pacific knowledge
The University of Otago’s Pacific Thought Network (PacTNet) recently hosted its third annual Public Panel event, bringing together scholars, students, and community members for an evening of reflectio...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Otago's Pacific Thought Network recently hosted its annual public panel event, bringing scholars, students, and community together under the theme 'Reimagining Pacific Futures' 💛💙
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Biomedical scientist Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral is a true problem solver in the 3D bioprinting space 🤔🔬
She enjoys the challenge of bringing experts together to address unmet needs in this impressive research area.
Read more about her fascinating work 👇
She enjoys the challenge of bringing experts together to address unmet needs in this impressive research area.
Read more about her fascinating work 👇
Life in layers: Meet the Otago scientist working at the frontier of 3D bioprinting
Ask Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral how she creates something as complex as human tissue and she’ll offer a disarmingly simple analogy.
www.otago.ac.nz
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Biomedical scientist Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral is a true problem solver in the 3D bioprinting space 🤔🔬
She enjoys the challenge of bringing experts together to address unmet needs in this impressive research area.
Read more about her fascinating work 👇
She enjoys the challenge of bringing experts together to address unmet needs in this impressive research area.
Read more about her fascinating work 👇
6 Otago kairakahau have been awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellowships, fetching up to $820,000 to support their research across a variety of fields 👏🥳
Find out about these extraordinary recipients and their mahi ⬇️
Find out about these extraordinary recipients and their mahi ⬇️
Four-year fellowship for quantum memory research
A University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researcher whose mahi involves investigating the way crystals can be used in quantum memory storage has been given a four-year funding boost.
www.otago.ac.nz
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 AM
6 Otago kairakahau have been awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellowships, fetching up to $820,000 to support their research across a variety of fields 👏🥳
Find out about these extraordinary recipients and their mahi ⬇️
Find out about these extraordinary recipients and their mahi ⬇️
Associate Professor Andrew Reynolds has been awarded the Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal, one of Otago's highest research honours. This acknowledges his globally-recognised contributions to investigating diet-related disease 🏅🍎🥦
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Award-winning researcher tackling disease through diet
At a time when diet-related diseases are among the world’s biggest health challenges, Associate Professor Andrew Reynolds is helping lead the charge for change.
www.otago.ac.nz
October 31, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Associate Professor Andrew Reynolds has been awarded the Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal, one of Otago's highest research honours. This acknowledges his globally-recognised contributions to investigating diet-related disease 🏅🍎🥦
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Professor Philip Hill of the Otago Global Health Institute is working on an international research collaboration investigating whether those with asymptomatic tuberculosis are unknowingly spreading it. The study has been granted USD $19.5 million to address this gap in TB research.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Otago plays role in major study into spread of TB
The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is part of a groundbreaking new international study set to investigate whether people with tuberculosis (TB) who show no symptoms are unknowingly spreadi...
www.otago.ac.nz
October 30, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Professor Philip Hill of the Otago Global Health Institute is working on an international research collaboration investigating whether those with asymptomatic tuberculosis are unknowingly spreading it. The study has been granted USD $19.5 million to address this gap in TB research.
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
An Otago researcher is calling for drug policy reform in a new report, saying the findings highlight "a significant gap between what the community wants, and the actuality, in terms of funding a health-based approach to drugs."
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Christchurch researcher calls for drug policy changes
A major report authored by a University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Christchurch researcher shows New Zealanders want to see more funding for a health-based approach to tackling the country’s dru...
www.otago.ac.nz
October 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
An Otago researcher is calling for drug policy reform in a new report, saying the findings highlight "a significant gap between what the community wants, and the actuality, in terms of funding a health-based approach to drugs."
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Should we consider young children when designing urban spaces and cities?🏙️🧑🧑🧒
Otago's School of Geography Associate Professor Christina Ergler is the lead author of a new report exploring how young children engage with urban environments.
Read more about the report here⬇️
Otago's School of Geography Associate Professor Christina Ergler is the lead author of a new report exploring how young children engage with urban environments.
Read more about the report here⬇️
Viewing cities through children’s eyes – a report
Young children have a unique perspective of the world, one that should be considered when designing urban spaces and cities, authors of a new report urge.
www.otago.ac.nz
October 29, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Should we consider young children when designing urban spaces and cities?🏙️🧑🧑🧒
Otago's School of Geography Associate Professor Christina Ergler is the lead author of a new report exploring how young children engage with urban environments.
Read more about the report here⬇️
Otago's School of Geography Associate Professor Christina Ergler is the lead author of a new report exploring how young children engage with urban environments.
Read more about the report here⬇️