University of Otago

Founded in 1869 by the Otago Provincial Council, an ordinance gifted to the institution 100,000 acres of land to initiate what would be New Zealand’s first University. Focusing on degrees in the Arts, Law, Medicine and Music the University of Otago is still thriving today and is internationally recognised as a trailblazer in its research departments and highly regarded law faculty. 

Architecturally, the University is a melange of historical and contemporary design and intriguing juxtapositions can be observed throughout the campus. Ironically however the structures radiate congruity, and a stroll around the University zone will reward with many an aesthetic indulgence.  

Most notable amongst the historic miscellany is the Registry Building encompassing the clock tower (1878) and Geology buildings (1879), which jointly hosted the University after its initial relocation from the John Wickliffe Building in downtown Princes St (which transformed into the Stock Exchange). Maxwell Bury was responsible for the magnificent dark basalt construction of the Registry, being later extended by Edward Anscombe (1912, and 1922).  

Further expansion of the University prompted the building of the Geology buildings, colloquially known as the Quadrangle or simply ‘Quad’ and is bordered by a beautiful set of Magnolia trees, featuring occasionally in television adverts and films.  

As well as the Registry building, the nearby Allen Hall theatre also receives an Historic Places Trust rating, along with Marama Hall – which are largely modelled on the Bury’s design and well worth admiring, as they are conveniently located within walking distance in and around Castle St, the Leith and Union St. Maps are available on the University website.  

Today there are almost 25,000 members belonging to the University of Otago (both staff and students), the latter often in the limelight for their antics as the stigmatized ‘Scarfie’ culture. The rest of the campus besides the historical buildings is worthwhile exploring, as the Central library is a state of the art piece of contemporary architecture, and many student flats close at hand have unique visual appeal from the public footpath.  

A code of conduct has recently been introduced into the University’s regulation of behaviour in light of riotous incidents, which occurred in 2007 with a car rally infamously dubbed the ‘Undy 500’.  

www.otago.ac.nz