The Office of Māori Development co-ordinates all Māori language translation requests. A comprehensive list of Māori translations for academic divisions, services division (Te Wāhanga mō ngā Ratonga), and other generic terms is available.
Search the list of approved translations on the Māori ki Ōtākou website
University of Otago, Otākou Whakaihu Waka
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is the University of Otago’s te reo Māori name. It’s less of a literal translation than our previous Māori name, Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo, but a metaphor meaning “a place of many firsts”. This refers to education and academic achievement, research and student experiences. It’s also a nod to our proud history of being the first university in New Zealand.
The University of Otago remains our official name. When writing out both of our English name and ikoa Māori together, it can either be written as University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, or Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago, depending on the context in which it’s being used.
Our main social media channels will have our English name first to build association with our new tohu within limited space, but longer form writing may follow the language approach of the rest of the document or article.
Unlike our former te reo Māori name (Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo), it does not make sense to add a modifier, like ‘ki Ōtautahi’, to indicate location. Our campuses will now be referred to as University of Otago, Location – for example, University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke.
For more information on using the University of Otago brand, see our brand guide.