Otago Polytechnic

Take charge of your voyage and navigate your career pathway! 💪

Explore our programmes and the fantastic careers they can lead to at Vaka Moana, our Pasifika Careers Expo.

Learn more about our student support services, our chaplain, Tapuae gym and Te Pā Tauira, our student village.

With a light supper, guest speaker Ana Teofilo, Pasifika performances and spot prizes, this free event is not to be missed! 🌟

Visit our website to find out more, explore the full list of attending organisations, and learn about our guest speaker, Ana Teofilo: https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/events-and-important-dates/events/vaka-moana

Two of our talented first year Otago Polytechnic School of Design Fashion Design ākonga have excelled at the 2026 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, claiming top category awards 🏆👏

Bachelor of Design (Fashion) student Kathryn Holloway won the Sustainable Excellence Award for a design inspired by her love of swimming and free diving 🏊

And classmate Ben Rouse won the Open Androgynous Award for his military wear-inspired design, with two fellow OP students making it a clean sweep in the category 💪

We were also proud to partner with iD Dunedin Fashion Week to sponsor the School Sustainable Excellence Award, which was won by Emily Robertson from Whanganui Girls' College 🌿👏

Read more, and see the fantastic designs on our website:

First year Fashion duo shine at Hokonui awards | Otago Polytechnic Two of Otago Polytechnic's talented first year Fashion Design ākonga have excelled at the 2026 Hokonui Fashion Awards. Kathryn Holloway (27) claimed the Sustainable Excellence Award while 18 year old Ben Rouse won the Open Androgynous Award.

A more flexible style of study has begun for Occupational Therapy students at our Central Campus Otago Polytechnic.

Ten mature students were welcomed to our Bannockburn campus last week as the first intake of the three-year full-time Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Work Augmented Learning) programme there.

The new pathway in Central Otago (and Northland) allows people to 'earn while they learn' and provides an alternative to relocating for those keen to upskill or pursue a career in the industry.

Read more on our website:

Flexible Occupational Therapy training launches in Central Otago | Otago Polytechnic A more flexible style of study has begun for Occupational Therapy students at Otago Polytechnic’s Central Otago campus in Bannockburn. The new work augmented learning pathway allows people to “earn while they learn” and provides an alternative to relocating.

Chase away those winter blues! ❄️

Winter Wellbeing Week will help you feel nourished, healthy and happy during these long chilly winter days in Ōtepoti!

Enjoy a warm welcome back to campus, with delicious kai, mood-boosting music, free health and wellbeing checks plus spot prizes and competitions throughout the week.

🍲 Plus, free kai will be available from Monday to Thursday, 12pm - 1pm.

Plenty of local organisations will also be in attendance, providing specialist advice (and freebies!) that you don't want to miss.

See you there! 👋

While you’re watching the Commonwealth Games over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for one of our senior leaders, Hayden Croft 👀

Otago Polytechnic's Head of Health is working again with the Silver Ferns as the team's Performance Analyst at the Glasgow Games 🏐🌿

Hayden's international standing and expertise have been key to the success of our industry-leading Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (Performance Analysis) programme, and our students are highly sought after across a wide range of sporting organisations.

Hayden says he's excited to be ticking the event off his impressive international bucket list, and says the elite sporting role is a great reciprocal relationship between Netball New Zealand and OP.

Read more on our website:

Hayden Croft: The man behind the Silver Ferns' edge | Otago Polytechnic Otago Polytechnic Head of Health Hayden Croft is excited to be ticking the Commonwealth Games off his impressive international bucket list. Hayden is working as the Silver Ferns' Performance Analyst at the Glasgow Games.

Otago Polytechnic is proud to be the top performing ITP for qualification completion rates for a fifth consecutive year, ranking #1 out of the country's 16 polytechnics for the 2025 academic year.

The top ranking was part of the Tertiary Education Commission's annual Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs), which measure how tertiary providers are performing.

Chief Executive Andrew McSweeney says the outstanding results demonstrate the continuing high educational quality and performance that Otago Polytechnic has consistently delivered, alongside strong care and support for ākonga.

Read more on our website:

Otago Polytechnic #1 ITP in the country for qualification completions | Otago Polytechnic Otago Polytechnic's focus on delivering outstanding education is reflected in being ranked top for qualification completions out of New Zealand's 16 Institutes of Technology or Polytechnics for a fifth consecutive year, according to the TEC's latest Educational Performance Indicators.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? 🗺️

As we count down to our upcoming Employment Expo tomorrow, we've been be showcasing the wide range of businesses you'll be able to meet on the day, include those that are passionate about helping people find the right opportunities 🙌

Our awesome OP Careers team will also be on hand to have a chat and offer advice on your next steps.

Whether you're looking for work, considering a career change, or need support getting started, these organisations are eager to connect with you and help open doors to your future.

Many have shared practical advice on today's job market, available opportunities, and how to put your best foot forward when applying for roles 🤩

This event is open to both students and the public. Make the most of this opportunity! 👋

Read employer Q&A's and find out more about the upcoming Employment Expo below! 👇

Are you passionate about helping others and making a positive difference in your community? 🫶

This week, as we count down to our upcoming Employment Expo on Wednesday, we'll be highlighting a range of businesses and organisations you'll have the opportunity to meet.

These employers are looking for caring, dedicated people and may have opportunities in healthcare, disability support, aged care, community services, wellbeing, and even more you may not have considered!

Several attending organisations have shared their insights into rewarding careers in the sector, the qualities they value most, and how you can stand out when applying for a role 🤩

This event is open to both students and the public. We can't wait to see you there! 👋

Read their Q&As and learn more about the upcoming Employment Expo below! 👇

Are you someone who enjoys building, creating, and seeing the results of your hard work? 💪

As we count down to our upcoming Employment Expo next Wednesday, we'll be highlighting some of the fantastic businesses you'll have the opportunity to connect with.

These employers are looking for motivated people and may have opportunities across a range of skilled trades, apprenticeships, labouring roles, and even completely different career pathways you may not have realised 👀

Several attending businesses have shared valuable insights about their industries, the skills they're looking for, and how you can stand out when applying for a role 🤩

This expo is open to everyone, and we can't wait to see you! 👋

Check out the employer Q&A's and learn more about the upcoming Employment Expo below! 👇