Division of Humanities, University of Otago

17/09/2026

A mainstay of Mātai Whakapono Karaitiana - Theology at Otago has been honoured with a Festschrift, a book that pays tribute to a respected academic 🥰

Professor Paul Trebilco received this collection of academic essays written and compiled in honour of his research, at a Society of New Testament Studies conference in Durham, England.

Paul says he was taken completely by surprise 😮 He was expecting a meeting with two people and was instead greeted by a gathering of many of the book’s contributors and other friends 🥳

“I was completely overwhelmed and honoured to have such an amazing volume presented to me. The 24 contributors to the book are colleagues and former students and they have written a wonderfully engaging book, which makes an excellent contribution to the field of New Testament Studies. I’m so grateful to them all,” Paul says.

Read more:

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17/09/2026

🎶Music to our ears: Ian Chapman gives us a preview of the contemporary acts performing next Saturday 26 September, as part of our Music 100 celebrations 🥳

Join us in celebrating Music at Otago and enjoy some stellar bands at just $25 (waged) and $10 (unwaged).

🤩Music at 100: Contemporary Concert:

Saturday 26 September, 8-10pm, Auahi Ora, Union Building
Seated concert, refreshments available.

Line up:
• The Cleos
• Turtle Hearts
• Emily Alice
• Jake Barton
• And Musical Theatre Voice students performing a couple of numbers (‘Roaring On’ from Great Gatsby and ‘Footloose’)

Ticket sales via Humanitix.

Listen to Ian go through some stories and tracks on Nine to Noon: 'Celebrating 100 years of music at Otago University'

Music was first officially taught at the University of Otago in 1926. Ian Chapman, who taught music at Otago for 21 years, presents songs from four current acts with close links to the University's music programme.

16/09/2026

Happy news 😀 the Children’s Writer in Residence is returning in 2027, and applications are open until 18 October 🥳

What a lovely 150th birthday present for our College of Education 🎂 We know they have been missing the children’s writer on campus this year.

Thanks to support from Creative New Zealand, and valued partner Robert Lord Writers Cottage

Read more and link through to applications in this story:

New Zealand’s longest established residency for children’s writers returns and with it the promise of more stories for, and about, our children and young people.

15/09/2026

✊Otago students are holding the country’s top and aspiring politicians to account with a thorough grilling on camera ahead of the 2026 general election, as VOTE 2026 kicks back into action for the third election in a row 👏

Law and Politics students transform into TV journalists as they interview politicians from a variety of parties in Otago’s Media Production Studio.

Co-producers Sophie Bowmar and Alex van der Vliet, both studying fourth year Law and Politics, are part of the group of about 30 students who signed up for the project.

This is the second time Sophie has been involved in the initiative, she says “I think the biggest thing is having the confidence to remember that you’re there for a reason, and that you have every right to ask them tough questions.
“Once you get past that initial intimidation, it becomes much more about having a genuine conversation and making sure you get answers to the questions that matter to students.”

The students put a huge amount of work into producing the series, which offers an opportunity for anyone who is interested in good, clear information as we approach this year’s election.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Read more: https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/lights,-camera,-politics

Otago students are holding the country’s top and aspiring politicians to account with a thorough grilling on camera ahead of the 2026 general election.

15/09/2026

This election year it is important Te Kete Aronui/Division of Humanities stays impartial but involved in providing commentary and insights. So, to that end, and with five days left to vote...

Self-described “proud Otago graduate and lifelong conservation enthusiast” Georgia Davenport (Theatre and Dance) has been in touch, as she is volunteering as the Campaign Manager for Campaign Kākāpō in Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year 2026 competition.

Georgia tells us the campaign is rallying support for New Zealand's much-loved but critically endangered kākāpō, following a record breeding season that saw 90 new chicks increase the total population to 325 birds.

“I'm working hard to raise awareness of the incredible recovery story behind the kākāpō (and hopefully take out the top spot),” Georgia says.

Vote here before 5pm, Sunday 20 September:

Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year recognises our unique birds and with each vote you give them a voice.

15/09/2026

‘Kei te ako tatou, kei te kōrero tātou i te reo Māori mō ake, ake, ake’

13/09/2026

Congratulations 🥳 Associate Professor Christina Ergler, from Te Iho Whenua – School of Geography (pictured on the right), awarded the prestigious Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal for her research 🤩

“I aspire to creating communities, cities and institutions where people of all ages, abilities and socio-economic and cultural contexts can flourish and actively participate in shaping more equitable, sustainable and caring futures,” Christina says.

Read more:

From improving health outcomes and strengthening communities to exploring the frontiers of science and technology, University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers are making an impact in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

09/09/2026

🙌 New book and author's talk🥳 “Outlawed: responding to the Global Rise of Sovereign Citizens and Legal Conspiracies” (Penguin) takes readers into the pseudolaw movement, and studies its global rise 🧐 One of the book’s authors is Otago Law Associate Professor Stephen Young.

👉Stephen will be giving an author’s talk this evening (10 September) 5:30-6:30pm, Dunedin Public Library, Dunningham Suite.

This book traces the movement from its 19th-century origins, with deadly shootings, attempted coups and bizarre court cases involving doppelgangers, secret trusts and accusations of treason and sorcery. It also covers today’s courtroom confrontations, YouTube gurus, viral traffic stops, online radicalisation, and anti-government extremism.

Along with intriguing stories, the work presents insightful analysis on how pseudo law thrives in times of distrust and inequality, and what makes this movement such an attractive alternative to established laws and rules.

Read more:

What if someone told you your mortgage is illegal, your taxes are voluntary, that you don’t have to hold a license to drive and with the right words you could free yourself from the system forever?

07/09/2026

The Contemporary Edge Music Concert featuring bands and performers who are current students and alumni stars of Otago’s music programme 🤩

The line up for Saturday night 🙌

• The Cleos
• Turtle Hearts
• Emily Alice
• Jake Barton (of Summer Thieves fames)
• Musical Theatre Voice class performing Broadway.

Saturday 26 September, 8-10pm, Main Common Room, Student Union Building, Otago’s Dunedin campus.

Tickets via Humanitix: GA $25, students $10 🧐

This concert is curated by Arlie McCormick as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Music at Otago 🥰

Contemporary Music concert curated by Arlie McCormick, Emily Alice, Jake Barton, The Cleos, Turtlle Hearts, and more. Celebrating Music @ Otago!

04/09/2026

Ollie Ihaka-Gudsell is one of eight Otago tauira who travelled to Rapa Nui for a month in June 🌏 In this article, the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student, who majors in Indigenous Studies, reflects on the experience, including a special moment with his host whānau 🤩

“What was so meaningful was the connection there felt so natural. It was that affirmed moment of, ‘we are part of this community’.

“I’ve made a memory that I’ll hold for the rest of my life. It was truly a beautiful moment, and I absolutely will hold that forever,” Ollie says.

This trip was made possible through a Prime Minister’s Scholarship awarded to Dr Moira Fortin Cornejo (Languages and Cultures) and Associate Professor Esther Willing (Division of Health Sciences) 🙌
The group of tauira selected represented a range of subjects including law, medicine, pharmacy, environmental science, exercise and sports science, peace and conflict studies and physiotherapy.

The delegation shared knowledge with the Rapa Nui community while learning from local perspectives, with kōrero and talanoa sessions held with Rapa Nui institutions and the wider community.

Read more:

For Sammi Ammar, the opportunity to travel to Rapa Nui came at the perfect moment.