Te Aka Tauira issue 1, March 2023

Te Aka Tauira

Otago student represents NZ on the ice

Competing against some of Europe’s top teams was an “incredible” experience and placing fifth and seventh respectively was pretty cool, says the Otago student who captained Aotearoa New Zealand’s only synchronised ice-skating team to compete at events in England and Austria over the summer.

Second year pharmacy student Jazelle McCormick says synchronised skating “isn’t a huge thing in New Zealand”, but it is a “very big thing” in Europe.

The team is the first to have represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the Britannia Cup in Nottingham, UK, and the Amade Cup, which is a part of a larger event called the Mozart Cup, held in Salzburg, Austria.She captained a team of 12 synchronised skaters. The sport sees teams of 10 to 16 skaters put together programmes that feature specific elements (movements) they then perform in synchronised time.

McCormick says while there have been synchronised skating teams in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch in the past, the Ōtepoti Dunedin team is currently the only team in Aotearoa.

McCormick started solo figure skating about nine years ago, as many synchronized skaters do, but as an anxious child she found performing on her own unpleasant, even though she loved skating.There aren’t many synchronised skating coaches in Aotearoa, she says, but her coach was a synchronised skater.

“They were forming a team and got me into it. I just fell in love with it.”

The Ōtepoti team has been around for about seven years.

Story continued on page 7.

Pacific tauira gain spots in coveted medical programme

Boddington says there were many applicants for this academic year.

“All the students who applied were of an extremely high calibre, so competition was tough.”

Dr Letava Tafuna’i says the programme allows students to form a deeper connection with the small community they will serve.

“By understanding how people live, you understand how we make decisions and why we make decisions.

“Being Pacific, everything is community and family focused. This just brings us back to how we do things, in a pacific way, which is with the community.”

RMIP student Melenia Kaita’eifo, bound for Masterton, dreams of one day practising medicine in Tonga, and felt the programme would give her the relevant experience.

“I know that Tonga is very under-resourced, and I’ve seen it myself, so I wanted to gain the skills early on with how to treat or manage diseases as best we can with very little resources.

“I don’t think I would learn that in big city hospitals.”

Melenia says she wants to make her parents dream of moving back to Tonga a reality because of the sacrifices they made for her.

“I think they deserve all the good things in life.

“So, when I’m struggling to get up in the morning, I’m like ‘oh gosh, my parents are getting up, despite being tired, at 4am to work so that they can support me and my dreams’.”

Pacific medical students are preparing to learn the art of making do.

In a first for the Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP), Pacific medical tauira make up a large portion (10/25) of students accepted into the highly competitive experiential learning course.

The RMIP gives tauira the opportunity to earn their medical degree while learning from community, primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare professionals based in rural locations.

Pacific fifth year tauira will live and work within a small community, learning about the challenges, and charm, that come with the territory.

The course accepts 25 tauira annually, and this year Pacific students gained ten of the sought-after spots.

Students who wish to be selected for the programme must apply in writing, after which they are interviewed.

Co-Director of the Rural Medical Immersion Programme Dr Emma

Her drive to become a doctor stems from the unanswered questions she had as a child when her brother suddenly passed away.

The poor level of care her family received at the hospital during this difficult time also drove her towards the profession.

“I just wanted to make people feel cared for. I wanted at least to be on the table, in a health setting, to be able to make other Tongan families feel comfortable and supported, especially when they’re facing challenges like that.”

Amiel Khan, who will serve a small community in Ashburton, says applying for the programme was “a given”.

He grew up in the rural town of Te Kūiti and fell in love with the people, land and lifestyle.

He says he wants to give what he can to support these small communities like the one that shaped his childhood.

“But it’s also about getting those hands-on skills and enjoying the amazing backyard of New Zealand as well, because rural places have mean backyards.”

The unveiling of a display in Otago University’s Ōtepoti Link this week will reaffirm a wider community commitment to reducing harm to and enhancing the wellbeing of North Dunedin students.

The static display will outline The Sophia Charter, an agreement put together following the tragic death of Otago student Sophia Crestani at a flat party in 2019, and share information about Sophia’s life and her parents’ commitment to keeping tauira safe.

The Charter is a shared commitment from Dunedin stakeholders, including the University, Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Otago Property Investors Association, the Dunedin City Council (DCC), Te Pūkenga Otago Polytechnic and the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) and students.

This Wednesday, 8 March, the University will host an event to launch The Sophia Charter website and the display, which will become a permanent feature within the Link.

The event will precede the annual volunteer-led North Dunedin clean-up, a rubbish collection day, held on March 24.

University Student Services Director Claire Gallop says the display and website are the result of Sophia’s family and stakeholders of the North Dunedin community coming together and renewing their commitment to supporting students in an environment that is both safe and fun.

The display will also provide information about the two memorial scholarships in Sophia’s name that will help support tauira in perpetuity, says Gallop.

An iPad is set up as part of the display inviting tauira to have their say on what can be done to make North Dunedin safer.

“We want tauira to know that we want to hear from them. Student safety isn’t just about authorities putting systems in place to protect people, we need students to take responsibility for themselves too, and we want to hear from students about what we can do to help support them to do that.”

It also highlights the reality that student wellbeing is not one group’s responsibility, but the responsibility of stakeholders and students.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), the Dunedin Mayor and representatives from stakeholder partners will attend the event, Gallop says.

“We hope that this event attracts University and Te Pūkenga students”

“We are delighted to have Sophia’s parents Elspeth McMillan and Bede Crestani as well as a friend of Sophia’s, student Hannah van Kampen representing the new group, Hold On To Your Friends, all speaking at the event.

“We hope that this event attracts University and Te Pūkenga students and anyone who is committed to the wellbeing of the student community.”

All staff and students are warmly invited to attend the launch of the Sophia Charter display and visit the student support stalls also on display, she says.

When: 12-2pm, Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Where: East Entrance, University Link

Free food provided.

If you are feeling unwell, you are asked to avoid attending.

Charlie the Radio 1 dog at Clubs & Socs Day

Students at Clubs & Socs Day on the Museum Reserve

Members of the OUCC at Clubs & Scocs Day

Runners taking part in this year’s Clocktower Race

Vision 2040 - A student perspective

2023 President of the Otago University Students’ Association, Quintin Jane, is excited that students have a much higher profile in the University’s new strategic direction.

Transformative learning, student-responsive learning practices and more engagement with students are all outlined in Vision 2040.

“It’s exciting. It’s about being a university which is reflective of Aotearoa, in partnership with mana whenua and providing an outstanding student experience for every student.”

University should not just be a place to get a piece of paper, Quintin says. His vision for 2040 is for an Otago which has “accessible learning spaces for students of all backgrounds and all learning abilities who all have different reasons for coming here”.

“We should be more than just another Western academic institution – we should be reflective of New Zealand and all students should feel welcome and supported here.”

Quintin believes students should understand and be energised by the new strategy.

“Our job at OUSA is to make sure the University achieves the awesome things aspired to in the Vision. The University has been pretty ambitious, and we need to support that but also make sure the changes are the experiences that our students want.”

What can students do to help?

“We need active positive participation to help the University as it changes its teaching modes. Students are being gifted the opportunity to help shape their own future and that of the students to come – an opportunity to codesign.”

“Whether you’re new or have been here for some time, it’s important to contribute as the University is going to change, even in the next three years.”

“I’ll always have the University of Otago on my degree – I want to remain proud of that and I will be if we achieve the vision laid out in this strategy,” Quintin says.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Helen Nicholson agrees that the new Vision has a strong focus on equity, and on student outcomes.

“Learner success pathways that meet diverse student needs and strengthened pastoral and academic care are clearly outlined.

It’s also very important to us to work closely with the student body, and to listen, hear and action student voice.

“The strategy affirms our commitment to research informed teaching and transformative learning. We expect all our teaching to be informed by the latest research, bringing information into our lectures and classes from our own researchers and around the globe to ensure our students are learning at the forefront of their subject area.

“We also want to provide learning that is creative and innovative, that inspires our students to discover more. Part of the unique journey we provide at Otago as a residential campus university is the growth of young adults, and our teaching should be part of that. We want to serve our students by helping them understand themselves through our teaching, to interpret the society they live in and to develop autonomous thinking.”

READ MORE here about Vision 2040.

Te Aka Tauira is taking a deep dive into Vision 2040, looking at how the new strategic direction will impact the University.

“We should be more than just another Western academic institution – we should be reflective of New Zealand”

Auahi Ora – a Union Dining Hall refresh

A refresh of the Union dining hall over the academic break has created a more relaxing place for our returning students to socialise, eat and drink –and is also for student events in the evening.

Couches, armchairs, bookcases, colourful rugs, and plants have been added to significantly change the look and feel of the space, creating more of a lounge environment, while new chairs and tables also form a café and dining area, Hospitality Services Manager Adrian Lowrey says.

“It’s more comfortable and inviting than the seating and tables we had previously. We’re trying to create a space to gather … to come and relax and enjoy each other’s company, a place for students to take a break.”

A single servery has replaced the three previous food and drink outlet counters and space has been created for a temporary stage to support events. New audio-visual equipment includes a new sound system and a large format screen for everything from presentations, movies and music videos to sports events or quiz questions.

The aim of Auahi Ora is to create a student hang-out space during the day until about 6pm weekdays – “somewhere to get away from it all” – then an events space for evenings, weekends and holidays. Staff are welcome to use the space as well.

The events space is also proposed to host live music, residential college functions, staff celebrations, and Otago University Student Association and club activities etc, Lowrey says.

He is keen to get feedback about what people like about Auahi Ora – which opens on Monday – and what more could be done, within a budget.

Campus Development Division Strategic Architect Gordon Roy says this refresh is phase one of the area’s make-over, with new lighting, decoration and some more furniture coming.

“We’ve been aware of a need to change this space for a while. Discussion with Otago University Students Association at the tail end of last year confirmed students were looking for a space to relax on campus – somewhere not specifically linked to study-space – but still retaining the ability to eat and drink.

“The revamp also gave us a great opportunity to work with our cultural partners at Aukaha [a Dunedin-based Rūnaka-owned consultancy] who have really brought the space to life with the narrative around the tradition of social gathering spaces,” Roy says.

Aukaha ensured mana whenua values and narrative were appropriately woven into the design of the space.

The name

The area’s new name was discussed and approved by mana whenua and comes from a whakataukī recorded by southern historian Herries Beattie about 1920 – e auahi, e auora, e aumoana, aua tonu atu – which can be interpreted as ‘smoke of a fire is a sign of life, smoke at sea, who knows.’ That can be transferred to modern day as well – where there is light, there is life and people.

Fire or ahi was traditionally used to signal occupation of the whenua but also as a gathering place to share stories, sing, dance, and connect socially. These concepts of fire and life drive the visual design of Auahi Ora to create a comfortable and inclusive place.

Artist Aroha Novak (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu) created the designs on the new flooring based on a piupiu pattern (in the flax skirt worn for kapa haka) to help separate the different zones and painted the servery with a graphic representation of the native plants Māori traditionally used to start fires, Roy says.

“It’s more comfortable and inviting than the seating and tables we had previously. We’re trying to create a space to gather.”

Story continued from page 1.

“I love the feeling on the ice of moving as a team. There’s so much power in synchronized ice skating because everyone’s working together as one,” McCormick says.

“It is really a great feeling to have that support on the ice, the kind of power and speed you get through it.”

The New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Association (NZIFSA) lets the team know each year which elements it needs to include in in its program in order to be considered for further events.

While performing last year, the team’s well-executed program earned them enough points to make it eligible for these two international competitions.

Competing at the National Ice Arena in Nottingham was “incredible”, McCormick says, as it’s where Olympian skaters train.

Her team was up against nine others, and they placed fifth, which she was about pleased with; “it was pretty cool”.

The Mozart Cup is important as it is the last competition for teams to qualify for worlds.

“We got to see some of the top teams in the world, which is incredible.”

McCormick says they were competing against 14 teams in their discipline for the Amade Cup and placed seventh.

It was the first time Aotearoa was ever represented at either of these competitions, which is “very exciting”, she says.

The team had watched a lot of skating performances online over the years, but this was their first time being this close to top professional skaters.

“It was a totally different experience to actually see the world of synchro a skater.”

Some of the teams had up to 20 skaters.

“Having that many people on the ice is quite overwhelming, but it’s all very exciting. Just to see the most competitive teams, there was something like 46 nations, there, is very full-on competition. That was incredible.”

The team had no sooner touched down back in Ōtepoti late mid-January before training resumed.

A few members of the team have left, having finished university or shifted to a new town, so McCormick is holding trials for new skaters to join the team.

In March, they will receive the list of required elements for this year, and the team will make a start on a new programme getting ready for the next competition season.

HELPFUL LINKS

• COVID-19 Website

• Student site

• OUSA

• Finding your way around

• Otago Library

• Events

• Student Development

• Student Academic Services

• Sustainability Office

Roof warning; ‘I’ve learnt from my mistakes’

Josh* doesn’t want anyone else to suffer – nor cause suffering – like he has.

Last year, after a few beers he and his mates climbed on to the roof of a twostoreyed flat – something he’d done many times before – but this this time it went horribly wrong.

“I was walking on the apex when my foot slipped and I fell backwards.

“I broke my collarbone, shoulder blade, several ribs and fractured my spine. I was really lucky to land on the grass, rather than the concrete right next to it. I know it could’ve been a lot worse.”

The then second year student vividly remembers seeing his parents arrive in Dunedin’s emergency room. At that stage Josh was still unable to move and the severity of his injuries weren’t yet known.

“My parents drove to Dunedin the night it happened … I can’t imagine what that was like for them.”

After being hospitalised for a week, he returned home to recover. It was two weeks before he could sit in a chair and longer before he could walk without pain. He was in a sling for six weeks and needed therapy to mobilise his left side.

“The spine has caused a fair amount of discomfort and long-lasting impacts - almost a year later I can still feel the effects of the injury and you’re always wondering whether your back can handle certain movements,” he says.

Proctor Dave Scott backs Josh’s message.

“Climbing on a roof isn’t harmless fun; it’s high risk behaviour that changes lives.”

Dave and his Campus Watch team visit about 1000 flats at the beginning of the year to talk to occupants about risks and urge them to make the most of their time at Otago without regrets. Partying on roofs is part of this visit.

“Every year we have students injured from falling from heights. Their injuries range from broken bones to long-term life-altering. Every time someone gets on a roof, they are risking their life,” he says.

Josh wants people to know how grateful he is that he’s here to tell this story. “I’m very thankful for my mates and everyone else who helped directly after I fell, and also the paramedics who looked after me on the ground and in the ambulance. I was in a lot of pain to begin with and it is only now upon reflection that I can see how lucky I was.”

He readily admits the decision to go on the “steep” roof that day was influenced by alcohol and is urging others to “stop and think”.

“I’m not going to tell anyone not to go on roofs, but I will say I wish I had thought more about what could happen if something went wrong and who it would affect, because it was not only me, but my family, friends and I imagine everyone who saw it happen.

“I know now that it was dumb, but that’s not what you’re thinking about at the time. I’ve learnt from my mistakes, but I hope others do too cos I really don’t want anyone else to go through what I did and what I put my friends and family through.”

University of Otago Proctor Dave Scott

“Not only that, they are affecting everyone around them. Watching someone fall and get seriously injured can stay with someone for life. That one stupid, selfish decision can affect dozens, if not more people – friends, whānau, innocent bystanders and the emergency services that tend to that person.”

He urges students to look out for their mates – especially when they’re not in the headspace to look after themselves.

“Almost all of these incidents happen when the victim is not sober. Be a good mate, have the courage to step in and shut down dangerous behaviour before tragedy hits.

“We have never met one person who has come to grief from this behaviour who doesn’t regret it. Come to Otago, have fun, live life to the fullest, but don’t leave with regrets. Please don’t make me make that phone call home to your parents.”

*Name changed

“My parents drove to Dunedin the night it happened... I can’t imagine what that was like for them.”

STUDYTIPS

Stay away if unwell

If you are feeling unwell, please stay away from lectures, classes and group settings. The general advice is:

• Get tested if you have COVID 19 symptoms

• If positive you must isolate for 7 days

• Upload your RAT result on your My COVID app

• If negative RAT and you still have symptoms – stay home until well, if you have to go out wear a mask. Repeat RAT while you have symptoms

• Let someone know that you are unwell – College staff or flatmate

• Contact your lecturer to find the best way to catch up on learning you have missed.

Household contacts

• Household contacts do not need to isolate

• If you are a household contact you should test daily for 5 days (RAT) from the day the person with COVID tested positive

• Wear a face mask if you leave home during the 5 days of testing

Unlike high school, at university you are expected to manage your own time. It’s important to find a balance between having a social life and meeting the expectations of your course work. Putting together a schedule can help with this.

Most of the papers you take at university are worth 180 points, and as a general guide, one point represents 10 hours of study made up of a combination of lectures, tutorials, labs, assignments and readings. So, for an 18 point paper that’s a total of 180 hours over the course of a semester, or 15 hours per week.

Find a planner that suits you, be it an old-fashioned wall planner, a diary or an app on your phone. Start by putting in all of your lectures, tutorials, labs etc. in, and then add in all of the due dates for your assignments, and the dates of any tests.

Make sure to allocate enough time ahead of your assignments and tests to prepare for them properly, as leaving this to the last minute can affect the overall quality of your work and final grade. Don’t plan for large chunks of time to study, small chunks of focused time have been found to be more effectve.

Find a study space that works for you, ideally somewhere with minmal distractions. This could be a library, the Marsh Study Centre, a cafe or your bedroom. Avoid procrastination and distractions. Try setting a timer for 20 minutes on your phone and then study for the entire 20 minutes without looking at your phone - you can do it!

Part of good time management is assessing how your schedule is going, so be sure to do this at some point during the semester, and make changes if you need to.

FIND MORE study tips here.

• If you test positive for COVID, you must isolate for 7 day

For more information, including where to get tests go to: https://www.otago. ac.nz/coronavirus/information-for-students/

HEDC - Free academic support

Student Learning Development and the Library provide free academic support for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Please find more information on the following pages: SLD workshops, library workshops, 1-1 consultations, Peer-Assisted Study Sessions, Peer-Assisted Numeracy, Peer-Writers, and the English Conversation Group.

Please direct any questions to: hedc.studentlearning@otago.ac.nz

Pads, tampons free from Campus Watch

After Christchurch-based student experience coordinator Amanda Clifford heard of Campus Watch staffer Annabel Cole’s work to get a free supply of period products for students on campus in Dunedin, Amanda contacted Campus Watch and the Ministry of Education to ensure all other campuses also had these items.

She arranged for a supply for Invercargill, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and will also be sending some of Christchurch’s supply to Nelson, Timaru and West Coast hubs. Period products have now been placed in female and unisex bathroom facilities and student common areas around the Christchurch campus, including departments based in the hospital.

People in the other areas can contact their local Client Services administrator to find out where the products are.

Pads, tampons & condoms are available free 24/7 from Campus Watch Dunedin.

KEY DATES & EVENTS

March | Maehe

Last day to delete semester 1 papers with refund of fees

Last day to delete full-year papers with refund of fees

April | Āperira

Good Friday - Mid-semester break begins

Easter Monday

Otago Anniversary Day observed (Dunedin)

First semester resumes