University of Otago

Also known as Otago University, otago.ac.nz, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou

university in New Zealand

Key facts

Other name: Otago University
Motto: Sapere aude ( Latin )
Motto in english: Dare to be wise
Type: Public research collegiate university
Established: 1869 ; 157 years ago ( 1869 )
Affiliations: MNU
Endowment: NZD $279.9 million (31 December 2021)
Budget: NZD $756.8 million (31 December 2020)
Chancellor: Trish Oakley
Vice chancellor: Grant Robertson
Academic staff: 1,744 (2019)
Administrative staff: 2,246 (2019)

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Article

The University of Otago (Māori: Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka) is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It was established by ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869 and opened for teaching in 1871, making it New Zealand's oldest university. Between 1874 and 1961 Otago was part of the federal University of New Zealand and conferred degrees in its name. In July 2023 the university adopted the Māori identity Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka as part of a major rebrand, with the changes taking effect from May 2024.

As of 2024, Universities New Zealand reported a student headcount of 21,315 (18,564 equivalent full-time students). The university is centred on its Dunedin City campus and teaches across additional campuses in Christchurch and Wellington for health sciences.