University of Otago Stories

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University of Otago stories

NZ universities accepting English proficiency tests through Duolingo

New Zealand universities now accept Duolingo English tests from overseas students, reflecting a global shift in language proficiency checks.

By Gill Bonnett • 3 min read • Thu, 8th Jan 2026

EduTech

AI adoption could boost NZ productivity by NZD $108 billion by 2038

AI could boost New Zealand's productivity by NZD $108 billion by 2038, doubling current rates through improved skills, infrastructure, and public sector digitisation.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 3rd Dec 2025

Health Technologies

KiwiNet Awards celebrate innovators driving real-world impact

The 2025 KiwiNet Awards celebrated New Zealand innovators transforming research into global-impact solutions across tech, health and sustainability sectors.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 23rd Oct 2025

Data Protection

AI-scribes boost GP efficiency but raise ethics concerns in NZ care

AI-powered transcription tools boost efficiency for 40% of New Zealand GPs but spark ethical and data security concerns amid evolving regulations.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 12th Aug 2025

Power / Energy

Toast Electric expands to help families facing winter hardship

Toast Electric is expanding to Horowhenua and Wairarapa, aiding New Zealand families struggling with winter energy hardship through discounted electricity and support programmes.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Thu, 12th Jun 2025

AR, VR & Metaverse

Virtual reality app oVRcome reduces social anxiety by 35%

A clinical trial in New Zealand shows the virtual reality app oVRcome cuts social anxiety symptoms by 35.3%, marking a breakthrough in mental health treatment.

By Sean Mitchell • 2 min read • Mon, 18th Nov 2024

EduTech

Otago University to establish tech hub presence in Queenstown

The University of Otago plans a permanent site in Queenstown, aiming to boost local growth and technology innovation, aligned with Vision 2040.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 4th Oct 2024

University of Otago

Technology Queenstown unveils plan to transform district into tech hub

Tech Queenstown targets to mould Queenstown Lakes District into a global tech hub, leveraging its potential for a bustling tech sector set to generate $1bn annual GDP by 2043.

By Tom Raynel • 3 min read • Mon, 5th Feb 2024

EduTech

Virtual reality app reduces phobias through NZ trial

Virtual reality (VR) therapy could help people overcome phobias, according to a trial at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 21st Jul 2022

Digital Transformation

LINQ system shows University of Otago could save 10,000 hours of time

LINQ's modelling showed by consolidating five systems into one, the university could reallocate 10,000 hours of time - the equivalent of six full-time staff.

By Jessie Chiang • 3 min read • Fri, 3rd Jun 2022

Space Technologies

Govt funds research into solar tsunamis, decolonising algorithms and more

With $187 million in grants going to research across Aotearoa New Zealand, we look at a few of the tech-related projects that have been given funding.

By Ben Moore • 4 min read • Mon, 14th Sep 2020

EduTech

Kiwi EdTech software innovation goes international

SimPHARM, a state of the art simulation tool developed at the University of Otago and now commercially licensed by a United States-based company.

By Ben Moore • 4 min read • Fri, 19th Jul 2019

Unified Communications

Breakthrough research to revolutionise internet communication

University of Otago scientists develop a device promising to revolutionise internet communication, creating faster, more energy-efficient data transfer.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Apr 2019

Global Stories

University of Otago stories

University of Otago

MTF Finance names Zoe Anderson as Chief Credit Officer

Zoe Anderson has been appointed Chief Credit Officer at MTF Finance, effective January 2025, bringing over 13 years of experience from RAC Finance.

By Imee Dequito • 2 min read • Wed, 30th Oct 2024

Network Infrastructure

University of Otago to be anchor tenant for new Datagrid facility

University of Otago to become anchor tenant for NZ's first carbon-neutral hyperscale data centre, built in Southland.

By Jessie Chiang • 3 min read • Fri, 3rd Jun 2022

Health Technologies

Could Air NZ use downtime to digitally transform NZ's health systems?

Air New Zealand's expertise in app development could help overhaul funding and IT systems in the healthcare sector, says a University of Otago expert.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Thu, 30th Apr 2020