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University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka

@universityofotago.bsky.social

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University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 10h

Law alumna Caccia Armstrong is Oxford-bound thanks to the mentorship of Faculty of Law kaimahi and a well-deserved Ethel Benjamin Scholarship 💪⚖️✨

“I’m so grateful for my time at Otago ... I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of the Law Faculty,” she says.

Read Caccia's story 👇

Following in Ethel Benjamin’s footsteps

Without the mentoring and support of Otago Faculty of Law members, Ethel Benjamin Scholarship recipient Caccia Armstrong doubts she would have applied to study at the University of Oxford.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 11h

OPINION: NZ’s economy isn’t as bad as the ‘merchants of misery’ claim ⬇️

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 2d

New Zealand has been in a ‘stagflationary spiral’ for years. Pulling out of that takes time, but signs of recovery are real.

Nicola Willis is right: NZ’s economy isn’t as bad as the ‘merchants of misery’ claim

theconversation.com

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 18h

OPINION: More veg, less meat: the latest global update on a diet that’s good for people and the planet 🌏🥦

👉 theconversation.com/more-veg-les...

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 1d

Most New Zealand adults consume more protein than the recommended amount. They could reduce meat without risking inadequate protein intake.

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 18h

OPINION: A seismic step towards managing earthquake-prone buildings ⬇️

Newsroom NZ @newsroom.co.nz · 18h

Opinion from the University of Otago: Contrast between Auckland’s low-risk regulatory reprieve and Dunedin’s tightening requirements shows need for regional strategies

A seismic step towards managing earthquake-prone buildings

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 2d

Proud Ngā Puhi descendant and Otago alumna, Alice Eruera, is conducting research at Harvard Medical School in the US!👏

Her research looks into electron tomography and ways in which she can flatten the learning curve for the average biologist.

Read more here⬇️

Otago a stepping stone in Alumna’s journey to Harvard

A proud descendant of Ngā Puhi, Alice Eruera came to the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka from Whangārei to do her bachelor’s degree, ten years later she is conducting research at Harvard Me...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 4d

Otago Uni and Port Moresby General Hospital are stronger together when it comes to pain management 💪💢

Dr Jerin Mathew from our Department of Anatomy recently led a Pain and Clinical Anatomy Workshop at the hospital in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Read more about the collaboration 👇

Partnering with PNG for pain research

The University of Otago has joined forces with hospital and university health experts in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to improve pain research and management in Pacific Island nations.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 6d

Ngā mihi nui to Associate Professors Melissa McLeod (Ngāi Tahu) and Antonie Alm, who have had their outstanding teaching abilities recognised with Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards! 🏆

Read more about these deserving recipients 👇✨

Educator excellence rewarded

Two Otago tohunga have had their outstanding teaching ability recognised with Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 6d

OPINION: Why investment in clean indoor air is vital preparation for the pandemics and climate emergencies to come ⬇️

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 6d

Unchecked airborne infections cost billions in lost health and productivity each year – likely more than the cost of better ventilation to clean up indoor air.

Why investment in clean indoor air is vital preparation for the pandemics and climate emergencies to come

theconversation.com

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 7d

Otago student Kai Woolf developed an innovative smart cage system to monitor mice behaviour, having done so without any prior experience in coding, soldering, 3D printing, or biomedical research.🤯
Kai used the device to help inform her study into how neural circuits in the brain respond to stress.

Otago student 3-D prints innovative animal monitoring system

Just how do neural circuits in the brain respond to stress? Why do we change our sleep and eating habits during stressful times? And are there ways of controlling the brain signals to manage stress?

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 8d

New research has found that the vast majority of doctors trained at Otago and Auckland Medical Schools were working in Aotearoa 8 years after graduating 🎓

90 per cent of respondents were working in NZ, with general practice being the most popular specialisation.

Read more here ⬇️

Doctors who train here, stay here – report shows

The vast majority of doctors trained at Otago and Auckland Medical Schools were working in Aotearoa New Zealand eight years after graduating, with general practice being the most popular specialty, ne...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 8d

OPINION: By not recognising a Palestinian state, NZ puts its own hard-won reputation on the line ⬇️

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 9d

By not joining its close allies over the question of Palestinian statehood, NZ risks being ‘on the wrong side of history’.

By not recognising a Palestinian state, NZ puts its own hard-won reputation on the line

theconversation.com

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 9d

"Game-changing" Otago research projects have been awarded eight grants and scholarships as part of the Heart Foundation of New Zealand’s $4.2 million of investment into life-saving heart research for 2025 🫀💪

Read more about the deserving recipients and their heart health projects👇

Christchurch Heart Institute researchers shine in Heart Foundation Grants

“Game-changing” University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka research projects focussed on novel scanning, tests and biomarkers to detect cardiovascular disease have been awarded eight grants and schola...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 13d

Otago kairakahau have found that two thirds of New Zealanders would support the Government preparing specific plans to deal with catastrophes.

Senior researcher Professor Nick Wilson says NZ is not sufficiently equipped to cope with global shocks, despite geographical advantages.

Read more here ⬇️

Preparing for catastrophes a good plan, New Zealanders say

Two thirds of New Zealanders support the idea of the Government developing specific plans to deal with catastrophic risks, such as a Northern Hemisphere nuclear war or the release of a bioengineered i...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 15d

Firearms injuries are costing Aotearoa's health system an average of $1.48 million annually, and costing the country a further $321 million in years of life lost, a new Otago study has found.

Read more here ⬇️

Firearm incidents cost New Zealand $322 million a year

Each year, firearms injuries are costing the New Zealand hospital system an average of $1.48 million and costing the country a further $321 million in years of life lost, a new study led by the Univer...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 16d

An Otago study has explored youth sleep guidelines, investigating the practicality of these recommendations and whether young people actually adhere to them.

The study found that few teens followed the current suggestions of no screens, food, or exercise an hour before bed.

Read more here ⬇️

Study puts youth bedtime routines under spotlight

Sleep guidelines suggest no screens, no exercise, and no food in the hour before bed, but do they work and how many young people follow them?

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 19d

New research led by Otago has found that many NZ teens worry about their nicotine, alcohol, and drug use but find it difficult to get help to quit 🚭

"...they’re open to support – but in too many cases, they’re not getting the help they need,” says lead author Dr Jude Ball.

Read more here ⬇️

Teens worry about their smoking, drug and alcohol use, study finds

Many New Zealand teenagers, especially those who smoke tobacco, are worried about their nicotine, alcohol and other drug use but find it difficult to get help to quit, research led by the University o...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 20d

OPINION: Like the Bats out of hell: the artists leaving Spotify

Local musicians are pulling their music from a platform that increasingly devalues the relationship between artist and audience ⬇️

Like the Bats out of hell: the artists leaving Spotify

Opinion from Otago University: Local musicians are pulling their music from a platform that increasingly devalues the relationship between artist and audience, writes Dr Michael Holland

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 22d

Professor Siân Halcrow is the first in Aotearoa to be awarded the British Academy Global Professorship worth over $2 million!

She will spend four years at Durham University in England, developing the first socially informed policy guidelines for anatomical skeletal collections.

Read more here 👇

Professorship to study ‘skeletons in the closet’

Historical anatomical skeletal collections held across Britain will be investigated by a University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka academic, thanks to a more than $2 million professorship.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 22d

OPINION: Around 900,000 Kiwis experience food insecurity: it’s a quiet crisis that needs urgent attention ⬇️

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 23d

Going hungry sometimes or often has become increasingly common for many New Zealanders. Solutions need to be targeted to individual or household circumstances.

Around 900,000 Kiwis experience food insecurity: it’s a quiet crisis that needs urgent attention

theconversation.com

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 23d

A new Otago study is looking to contribute to the significant gap in pre-menopausal women's health and lifestyle research, investigating the impact of post-exercise protein supplementation on women aged 18 to 50.

Read more here ⬇️

Shining a light on pre-menopausal female exercise science

Women are constantly overwhelmed with diet, health and lifestyle advice, yet are rarely the sole focus of exercise science research.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 23d

OPINION: Graphic warnings on tobacco products are losing their impact – here are 5 ways to improve them ⬇️

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 23d

Early versions of graphic warnings on smoked tobacco products aimed to arouse fear. But addressing feelings of regret and shame may be more motivating to quit.

Graphic warnings on tobacco products are losing their impact – here are 5 ways to improve them

theconversation.com

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 23d

Ngā mihi to post doc fellow Dr Zoe Tasma who has been named the winner of the 2025 Otago Innovation Proof of Concept Competition 👏🎉

The win has secured her $100,000 to help develop her innovative approach to next generation therapeutics for neurological conditions.

Read more here👇

Next generation therapeutics a winner

Dr Zoe Tasma, from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, has been named the winner of the 2025 Otago Innovation Proof of Concept Competition.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 26d

Ten University of Otago researchers and one research group have been recognised in this year's Otago Research Awards!🏆🤩

Acting Vice-Chancellor Jacinta Ruru is pleased to be able to celebrate the exceptional work of Otago researchers.

Read more about the recipients here⬇️

Otago celebrates research excellence

The creativity, dedication and impact of University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers have been recognised in this year’s Otago Research Awards.

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 28d

Media coverage in Aotearoa during the Covid-19 pandemic was infused with nationalism, an Otago study has found.

This framing fostered a sense of nationwide community at the expense of supporting other countries in their approach, lead author Emma Anderson says 🌎

Read more here ⬇️

Reading the pandemic – NZ news focused on home during global crisis

New Zealand's pandemic news coverage was infused with nationalism, creating a sense of competition and framing Covid-19 as a global contest the country was winning, a University of Otago – Ōtākou Whak...

www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · 29d

OPINION: It was extremely disappointing to see the announcement last month from Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee on proposed changes on licensing in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.⬇️

Government 'prioritising alcohol industry over health'

Opinion from Otago University: The Government's decision to reverse its support to limit the trading hours of off-licences, and also to remove the ability of communities to object to alcohol licences,...