Alumni in the News

Dr Emily Siedeberg’s home receives heritage classification

The home of New Zealand’s first female medical graduate has recently received the highest heritage classification. Dr Emily Siedeberg graduated from Otago in 1896, and her home and consultancy rooms in York Place, Dunedin, have been confirmed as a Category 1 historic place. This recognises the 120-year-old Siedeberg McKinnon House as being of outstanding national significance.

Home of first female doctor given highest classification | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz)

SIX60 Scholarship recipients for 2024 announced

Successful 2024 SIX60 scholarship recipients Jakira Brophy, Shannon Burnett, Sophie McCarlie, and Hazel Simes will live together in Six60’s iconic Castle Street property that the band purchased in 2021.

Established in 2021 by the University of Otago and SIX60, one of New Zealand’s most successful bands, the scholarships include a $10,000 rent rebate, as well as mentoring from the band and access to the University’s recording studios.

Six60 2024 Scholarship recipients announced | University of Otago

Alumni receive Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees

Coinciding with the 150^th anniversary of the Faculty of Law, alumni Emeritus Professor Mindy-Chen Wishart and Sir Wilson Isaac were conferred with Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees in July and August respectively.

Emeritus Professor Chen-Wishart was a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law until she was awarded a Rhodes Visiting Research Fellowship at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, in 1992. She was appointed to the Oxford Faculty of Law and become a Tutorial Fellow in Law at Merton College and a Professor of the Law of Contract. She was Dean of the Oxford Faculty of Law until 30 September 2023.

Judge Wilson Isaac (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) dedicated his career to Māori land law and family law. He held several positions at the Māori Land Court; he was appointed a judge in 1994, Deputy Chief Judge in 1999, and Chief Judge in 2009. At the same time as his promotion to Chief Judge, he was also made Chair of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Otago alumna ‘delighted’ by honorary degree | University of Otago

Honorary degree for former Māori Land Court Chief Judge | University of Otago