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Thursday 17 June 2021 9:16am

Hākitekura and Wanaka

The beauty of Queenstown and Wanaka were matched at our recent alumni events by the performances of Drs Tessa Romano and Luca Manghi. Host Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise Professor Richard Blaikie welcomed mezzo soprano Tessa Romano and flautist Luca Manghi who performed a range of pieces together as well as solo items.


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Guests were treated to a programme featuring a wide range of works in French, Italian and English by composers from the turn of the twentieth century to composers of today. The power and splendour of the music was a perfect match for the towering Remarkables overlooking Hakitekura and the glistening Lake Wanaka.

Tessa and Luca added to their performance by providing an insight to the background of each item and enjoyed the opportunity to speak with guests over afternoon tea.  

Of particular note the Queenstown event was the first University event to be held at Hākitekura which was a fabulous setting for the afternoon event.

Visit the Alumni Facebook page to view photos from the event.

Graduates urged to become agents of positive change

Watch the inspiring graduation addresses made by University of Otago academics at our recent May graduation ceremonies.

8 May 1pm 2021 - Prof Philip Hill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6XPB6pH7Fc

8 May 4pm 2021 - Dr Jemma Geoghegan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo5TkO0_BqU

15 May 1pm 2021 - Prof Sonja Tiernan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzgiEjqcwsU

15 May 4pm 2021 - Prof James Higham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFyUvNs3YnI

Whānau Session - Department of Botany

We had a great turn out for our first Whānau Session at the Department of Botany on Saturday! Thirty-eight alumni, families and young friends came along for an hour of fun, interactive hands-on entertainment. Hosted by Botany's fabulous outreach team, the activities included making a kelp bag, checking out plant-life under the microscope and a tour of the greenhouse and research facilities – and that's one of the hosts, plant evolutionary ecologist Dr Matthew Larcombe, talking to the group.


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Plant evolutionary ecologist Dr Matthew Larcombe, talking to the group


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Damian and Ian Dyke checking out plant-life under the microscope.


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Muriwai Schweikert hard at work making a kelp bag.

Whānau Sessions are a new initiative from Otago's Alumni Office, welcoming both those who are keen to return to take a look at their old departments as well as anyone who is interested in the area, along with the young people in their lives.

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