School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

26/08/2026

Check out this interview with Professor Jim Cotter about the work he and Dr Kate Thomas are doing on the physiological effects and risks of cold-water swimming (along with postgrad students Rilee Gould (Masters) and Emma Maultsaid (Honours)):

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16/08/2026

Professor Jim Cotter has some interesting commentary on cold water immersion:

Michelle Brymer has started every day with a four-month cold-plunge routine.

04/08/2026

🌴 Tautoko PhD researcher Mary-Ann Rongo Moller, who is investigating whether naturally warm lagoons could provide an accessible way to lower blood pressure for Cook Islands Māori.

🌺 Her research into lagoon bathing, guided by Indigenous knowledge, aims to help underserved communities treat hypertension.

“We're looking at specifically heart health equity. New Zealand Māori and Cook Islands Māori are really overrepresented in the statistics,” she says.

🫶 Like New Zealand Māori, Cook Islands Māori view health holistically, recognising the connection between people, kōpū tangata (family) and the natural environment.

💞 Mary-Ann believes those cultural understandings have strengthened the research.

“When you're in the water, often people talk about feeling like they're like embraced by something greater than themselves."

🥼 The project builds on research by Clinical Exercise Physiology Lecturer Dr Brendon Roxburgh, whose mahi explores the health benefits of hot and warm water immersion. Mary-Ann joined the project to help translate laboratory findings into a real-world setting. Ka rawe!

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/cook-islands-maori-knowledge-guides-heart-health-study

School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

30/07/2026

Where are our grads now? Melodie Robinson (BPhEd) has been appointed at a Sports Industry Specialist by Amazon Web Services! Read all about her amazing career here:

The former Black Ferns player and broadcaster was the ultimate winner after eight rounds of interviews.

08/07/2026

Taking a one-size-fits-all approach to analysing data from smart mouthguards may mean serious injuries are missed, a new University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study shows.

08/07/2026

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09/06/2026

Some insightful commentary about smart wearables from Professor Chris Button in this article:

Smart watches, rings, and clothing are becoming more and more commonplace. But are their health-monitoring functions worth the hype or causing more harm than good?

22/05/2026

In Remembrance of Associate Professor Mike Boyes

The School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science is mourning the passing last week of Mike Boyes, a much loved and respected former staff member and Dean. Mike joined the School in 1998 as a lecturer in Outdoor Education. Mike's interests and love for the natural environment persisted throughout his life and he was a strong role model for the Professional Studies staff at PE School. He saw the unique value that our students could gain from outdoor education in terms of the nexus between theory and application. Mike was a passionate advocate for the School and its students and it is a testament to his leadership qualities that he became Dean of the School from 2006-2007 and then an Associate Professor in 2012. Mike was also a keen advocate for Te Ao Māori and amongst the many values that he lived and breathed were: Manaakitanga, Ahuatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Atawhai and Aroha. Indeed, Mike was a wonderful human being with a unique combination of empathy, intelligence, humour, and humility. At a beautiful remembrance ceremony held on 19 May 2026, many SPESES staff and past students gathered to celebrate Mike's life and his enduring influence on us all. We all feel blessed to have had him in our lives and the School will miss him dearly.

For more information about Mike's life and career, see:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southern-honours-michael-antony-boyes

To read and post on a memorial board for Mike, see:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/bTUhKBtw

21/05/2026

Before Will Katene (Ngāti Toarangatira te iwi) became an Olympic torchbearer, a finalist for UK New Zealander of the Year and a recipient of the UK’s National Teaching Fellowship Award, he was just a sports-mad kid from Hamilton.

13/04/2026

✨ Sports-related subjects at Otago are ranked 22nd in the world (and first in Aotearoa New Zealand 🏅) in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 👏 Congratulations to all our amazing researchers and kaiako for your continuing mahi that’s contributed to the 2026 result, including many who are based in the School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago 🙌