Thesis in Te Reo Maori Te Reo, the first in the Otago theology programme

Te Hira Paenga is the first student at the University of Otago to write a PhD thesis entirely in Te Reo Māori as part of the theology programme.
His MA thesis is also the first to examine the connections between the Māori performing art form known as kapahakaand theology.

Writing a thesis in Te Reo was no easy feat – Te Hira says he researched a culture where spoken language is more important than written language, and then transferred his research to a structured essay format with expectations of linguistic accuracy.

“I had to really push myself to go and read it over and over again. The subtle things like commas, macrons and adding new Māori words and concepts were key because it was Te Reo’s first theology master’s thesis.”

Te Reo and Kapahaka at the heart of the thesis | University of Otago

Head impact study wins Otago sports award

The ORCHID (Otago Community Head Impact Detection) study, a joint project between World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics, New Zealand Rugby, Otago Rugby and the University of Otago, won the Innovation in Sport award at this year’s Otago Sports Awards.

Otago graduate researcher Associate Professor Melanie Bussey (PhD 2005) says: “It was incredibly rewarding to be nominated for the award by the sporting community. This recognition reflects a strong collaborative effort with a range of community organisations and has resonated deeply with many people.”

Head impact study wins Otago Sports award | University of Otago

Fulbright Scholarship for Medical and Public Health Graduates

Ngā mihi nui is Otago alumna Dr Sainimere Boladuadua, who was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in Science and Innovation.

Sai completed her MBChB from the University of Otago in 2002, a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Fiji School of Medicine in 2006 and a Master of Public Health (Hons) from the University of Otago in 2011. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and is currently undertaking her PhD at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

During her Fulbright scholarship to the United States, Sai will work with Native American communities to better understand access to health care and the experiences of families of children with acute respiratory infections. She will be based at the Center for Native American Health at Johns Hopkins University.

Otago Medical and Public Health Graduate Wins Fulbright Scholarship | University of Otago

James Kydd is a finalist in the Marketing Awards competition

James Kyd, a graduate of Otago University (BA Hons, Marketing), was a finalist in the recent YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2024.

With a strong background in marketing, James currently works as Global Director of Brand Strategy and Marketing at Xero in Auckland.

Otago graduate revolutionises spine care

Concerned about the mixed messages being sent to people suffering from chronic back pain, Otago graduate Antony Bush decided to write a self-help guide to back pain.

Drawing on this information, as well as his own 30 years of experience treating back pain and working with elite athletes, Antony shares his top 10 back facts in his recently published book, The Back Fix.

The author claims that one of the main supporters of his book was Otago graduate and orthopaedic and spine surgeon Dr Kristian (Kris) Dalzell.

Otago graduate revolutionises back care | University of Otago