100 Notable alumni of
University of Otago
Updated:
The University of Otago is 528th in the world, 12th in Oceania, and 4th in New Zealand by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 100 notable alumni from the University of Otago sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Stella Maxwell
- Occupations
- model
- Biography
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Stella Maynes Maxwell is a model. She is a former Victoria's Secret Angel, and is also the face of the cosmetics brand Max Factor.
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John Money
- Occupations
- psychologistsexologistuniversity teacher
- Biography
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John William Money was a New Zealand American psychologist, sexologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University known for his research on human sexual behavior and gender. Believing that gender identity was malleable within the first two years of life, Money advocated for the surgical "normalization" of the genitalia of intersex infants.
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Bill English
- Occupations
- farmerpolitician
- Biography
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Sir Simon William English KNZM is a New Zealand former politician who served as the 39th prime minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017 and leader of the National Party from 2001 to 2003 and 2016 to 2018. He had previously served as the 17th deputy prime minister of New Zealand and minister of finance from 2008 to 2016 under John Key and the Fifth National Government.
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Janet Frame
- Occupations
- poetessayistnovelistshort story writerwriter
- Biography
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Janet Paterson Frame ONZ CBE was a New Zealand author. She is internationally renowned for her work, which includes novels, short stories, poetry, juvenile fiction, and an autobiography, and received numerous awards including being appointed to the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civil honour.
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Jamie Joseph
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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James Whitinui Joseph is a New Zealand-born Japanese former rugby union player and current rugby union coach. A flanker, Joseph represented Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1992 to 1995, before representing Japan in 1999. Joseph, now head coach of the Japanese national side, has coached since his retirement, coming through the ranks in New Zealand before his first national stint.
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Grant Robertson
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 1994 graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Occupations
- politicianpolitical candidate
- Biography
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Grant Murray Robertson is a retired New Zealand politician and member of the Labour Party who served as the Minister of Finance from 2017 to 2023, as Minister of Foreign Affairs in November 2023, and as the 19th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2020 to 2023. He was the member of Parliament (MP) for Wellington Central from 2008 to 2023.
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John Hattie
- Occupations
- university teacherpedagogue
- Biography
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John Allan Clinton Hattie ONZM is a New Zealand education academic. He has been a professor of education and director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia, since March 2011. He was previously professor of education at the University of Auckland, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and the University of Western Australia.
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Graham Henry
- Occupations
- association football playercricketerrugby union playerrugby union coach
- Biography
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Sir Graham William Henry KNZM is a New Zealand rugby union coach, and former head coach of the country's national team, the All Blacks. Nicknamed 'Ted', he led New Zealand to win the 2011 World Cup.
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Nikki Kaye
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with Bachelor of Laws
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Nicola Laura Kaye was a New Zealand politician who served as Deputy Leader of the New Zealand National Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 22 May 2020 to 14 July 2020.
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Kamisese Mara
- Occupations
- politiciancricketer
- Biography
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Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBE was a Fijian politician who served as Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, as the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992. He subsequently served as president from 1993 to 2000.
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Rayyanah Barnawi
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences
- Occupations
- astronautbiomedical scientist
- Biography
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Rayyanah Barnawi is a biomedical researcher and astronaut. She is the first Saudi female astronaut, selected for Axiom Mission 2 as a mission specialist by the Saudi Space Commission; her selection was officially announced on February 12, 2023.
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Archibald McIndoe
- Years
- 1900-1960 (aged 60)
- Occupations
- surgeonplastic surgeon
- Biography
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Sir Archibald Hector McIndoe CBE FRCS was a New Zealand plastic surgeon who worked for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He improved the treatment and rehabilitation of badly burned aircrew.
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Juliet Marillier
- Occupations
- writernovelist
- Biography
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Juliet Marillier is a New Zealand-born writer of fantasy, focusing predominantly on historical fantasy.
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Jeremy Waldron
- Occupations
- philosopheruniversity teacherlawyer
- Biography
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Jeremy Waldron is a New Zealand legal philosopher. He holds a University Professorship at the New York University School of Law, is affiliated with the New York University Department of Philosophy, and was formerly the Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at All Souls College, Oxford University. Waldron also holds an adjunct professorship at Victoria University of Wellington. Waldron is regarded as one of the world's leading legal and political philosophers.
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Mazlan Othman
- Occupations
- politicianphysicistastrophysicist
- Biography
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Mazlan binti Othman is a Malaysian astrophysicist whose work has pioneered Malaysia's participation in space exploration. She was her country's first astrophysicist, and helped to create a curriculum in astrophysics at the national university, as well as to build public awareness and understanding of astronomy and space issues. She was appointed Director General of Angkasa, the Malaysian National Space Agency and served as the director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna from 2007 to 2014.
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Rui Maria de Araújo
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Rui Maria de Araújo is an East Timorese politician who served as its prime minister from 2015 to 2017. He is a physician and member of Fretilin.
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David Clark
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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David Scott Clark is a former New Zealand Labour Party politician.
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Paul Beresford
- Occupations
- dentistpolitician
- Biography
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Sir Alexander Paul Beresford is a British–New Zealander politician who served as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Mole Valley in Surrey from 1997 to 2024. He previously served as MP for Croydon Central from 1992 to 1997.
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Jack Bauer
- Occupations
- sport cyclist
- Biography
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Hans Jacob Bauer is a New Zealand former professional road racing cyclist, who competed as a professional from 2010 to 2023.
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David Parker
- Occupations
- politicianpolitical candidatelawyer
- Biography
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David William Parker is a New Zealand lawyer, businessman and politician who has been a Labour Party Member of Parliament since 2002.
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Josh Kronfeld
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Joshua Adrian Kronfeld is a TV presenter and a former rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand at international level and Otago, the Highlanders and Leicester at first-class level. During his international career, Kronfeld played in 56 games for the All Blacks, gaining 54 test caps, including appearances at both the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups.
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Silvia Cartwright
- Occupations
- lawyerjudge
- Biography
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Dame Silvia Rose Cartwright ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ is a New Zealand jurist who served as the 18th Governor-General of New Zealand, from 2001 to 2006. She was the second woman to hold the office, after Dame Catherine Tizard.
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Jack Lovelock
- Occupations
- middle-distance runnerjournalistathletics competitor
- Biography
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John Edward Lovelock was a New Zealand athlete who became the world 1500m and mile record holder and 1936 Olympic champion in the 1500 metres.
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Ayesha Verrall
- Occupations
- epidemiologistphysicianministerpoliticianpolitical candidate
- Biography
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Ayesha Jennifer Verrall is a New Zealand politician, infectious-diseases physician and researcher with expertise in tuberculosis and international health. Since 2020 she has been a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the Labour Party.
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Arthur Porritt, Baron Porritt
- Occupations
- military physiciansurgeonsprinterpolitician
- Biography
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Colonel Arthur Espie Porritt, Baron Porritt, Bt, GCMG, GCVO, CBE, KStJ, FRCS was a New Zealand physician, military surgeon, statesman and athlete. He won a bronze medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in the 100 m sprint. He served as the 11th governor-general of New Zealand from 1967 to 1972.
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James K. Baxter
- Occupations
- poetwriter
- Biography
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James Keir Baxter was a New Zealand poet and playwright. He was also known as an activist for the preservation of Māori culture. He is one of New Zealand's most well-known and controversial literary figures. He was a prolific writer who produced numerous poems, plays and articles in his short life, and was regarded as the preeminent writer of his generation. He suffered from alcoholism until the late 1950s. He converted to Catholicism and established a controversial commune at Jerusalem, New Zealand, in 1969. He was married to writer Jacquie Sturm.
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David Cunliffe
- Occupations
- diplomatpolitician
- Biography
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David Richard Cunliffe QSO is a New Zealand management consultant and former politician who was Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from September 2013 to September 2014. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Titirangi and then New Lynn for the Labour Party between 1999 and 2017. He served as the Minister of Health, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Minister of Immigration for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand from October 2007 until November 2008.
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Anton Oliver
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Anton David Oliver is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. Previously, he played as a hooker for Marlborough (one of the predecessors to today's Tasman side) and Otago in the National Provincial Championship and Air New Zealand Cup, and spent twelve seasons with the Highlanders in Super Rugby. He earned 59 caps for his country and for a period was All Blacks captain.
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Sam Hayes
- Occupations
- news presenter
- Biography
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Samantha Hayes is a New Zealand journalist and newsreader, best known for co-anchoring Three's flagship news programme Newshub Live at 6pm.
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Seru Rabeni
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Ratu Seru Rabeni was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a centre or wing. At both club and international level, his physicality and heavy tackles earned him the nickname "Rambo".
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Malcolm Grant
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 1972 graduated with Master of Laws
- Biography
-
Sir Malcolm John Grant, CBE, FAcSS is a barrister, academic lawyer, and former law professor. Born and educated in New Zealand, he was the ninth President and Provost of University College London – the head as well as principal academic and administrative officer of the university – for over a decade from 2003 until 2013.
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Craig Millar
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Craig William Millar is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Japan Rugby League One club Saitama Wild Knights. Born in New Zealand, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
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Lloyd Geering
- Occupations
- academictheologian
- Biography
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Sir Lloyd George Geering ONZ GNZM CBE is a New Zealand theologian who faced charges of heresy in 1967 for teaching that the Bible's record of Jesus' death and resurrection is not true. He considers Christian and Muslim fundamentalism to be "social evils". Geering is emeritus professor of religious studies at Victoria University of Wellington. In 2007, he was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour, limited to 20 living people. Geering turned 100 in February 2018.
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Nigel Latta
- Years
- 1967-.. (age 58)
- Occupations
- psychologist
- Biography
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Nigel Raymond Latta ONZM is a New Zealand clinical psychologist, author, and broadcaster. In the 2010s, he became known for his true crime documentaries and psychology-based television series, as the host of Beyond The Darklands, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Teenagers and The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show, among others. In 2016, Latta co-found Ruckus Films, a production company which produced several award-winning feature documentaries including Born This Way: Awa’s Story and Stan. In addition to his broadcast work, Latta is a bestselling author and has written eight books.
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Robert Carter
- Occupations
- geologist
- Biography
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Robert Merlin Carter was an English palaeontologist, stratigrapher and marine geologist. He was professor and head of the School of Earth Sciences at James Cook University in Australia from 1981 to 1998, and was prominent in promoting anthropogenic climate change denial.
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Kieran McAnulty
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 2011 graduated with Master of Arts
- Occupations
- politicianpolitical candidate
- Biography
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Kieran Michael McAnulty is a New Zealand politician. He was first elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2017, representing the New Zealand Labour Party. He was the Member of Parliament for Wairarapa between 2020 and 2023, and is currently a list MP.
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Arthur Prior
- Occupations
- writerphilosopheracademic
- Biography
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Arthur Norman Prior, usually cited as A. N. Prior, was a New Zealand–born logician and philosopher. Prior (1957) founded tense logic, now also known as temporal logic, and made important contributions to intensional logic, particularly in Prior (1971).
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Fergus Hume
- Occupations
- crime fiction writernovelistwriter
- Biography
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Ferguson Wright Hume, known as Fergus Hume, was a prolific English novelist, known for his detective fiction, thrillers and mysteries.
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Kim Hill
- Occupations
- television presenter
- Biography
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Fiona Anderson Kim Hill CRSNZ is a New Zealand broadcaster who presented the programme Saturday Morning on Radio New Zealand National, a public radio station, between 2002 and 2023. She was named International Radio Personality of the Year in 2012.
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Greg Henderson
- Occupations
- sport cyclist
- Biography
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Gregory Henderson is a New Zealand former professional track and road racing cyclist, who rode professionally between 2002 and 2017. His career includes winning the 15-kilometre (9.3-mile) scratch race at the 2004 world championships and, in road cycling, winning the points competition at the Tour de Georgia in 2005 and 2008.
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Michael Woodhouse
- Occupations
- politicianpolitical candidate
- Biography
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Michael Allan Woodhouse is a New Zealand healthcare chief executive and former politician. He was a Member of Parliament for the National Party from 2008 to 2023.
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Ian Taylor
- Years
- 1950s
- Occupations
- television presenter
- Biography
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Sir Ian Lemuel Taylor KNZM is a New Zealand businessman and former television presenter based in Dunedin.
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John Salmond
- Occupations
- lawyer
- Biography
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Sir John William Salmond KC was a legal scholar, public servant and judge in New Zealand.
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Nathan Cohen
- Occupations
- rower
- Biography
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Nathan Phillip Cohen MNZM is a New Zealand rower. He is a two-time world champion, and won a gold medal in the Olympics. In 2006, rowing a single scull, he won a gold medal at the World University Games. In doing so, he became the first New Zealander to win a gold medal at the World University Games in any sport. Cohen and his rowing partner, Joseph Sullivan, won back-to-back gold medals in the men's double sculls at both the 2010 and 2011 World Rowing Championships. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he and his partner won the gold medal in the men's double sculls, after breaking the Olympic best time in the heats. In 2013, Cohen was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rowing.
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Rob Knight
- Occupations
- university teacherwriterbiologistscientist
- Biography
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Rob Knight is a computational microbiologist and professor at the University of California, San Diego. His research involves the development of laboratory and computational techniques to characterize the microbiomes of humans, animals, and the environment.
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Mason Durie
- Years
- 1938-.. (age 87)
- Occupations
- psychiatristacademic
- Biography
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Sir Mason Harold Durie ONZ KNZM is a New Zealand professor of Māori Studies and research academic at Massey University. He is known for his contributions to Māori health. In 2020, he was appointed to the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour in New Zealand's royal honours system.
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Peter Gluckman
- Occupations
- scientistphysician
- Biography
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Sir Peter David Gluckman ONZ KNZM FRS FMedSci FRSNZ is a New Zealand scientist. Originally trained as a paediatrician, he served as the inaugural Chief Science Advisor to the New Zealand Prime Minister from 2009 to 2018. He is a founding member and was inaugural chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice, and is president of the International Science Council.
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Adine Wilson
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with Bachelor of Laws
- Graduated with Bachelor of Physical Education
- Occupations
- netballer
- Biography
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Adine Rachel Wilson MNZM is a former New Zealand netball international and current commentator. Between 1999 and 2007, Wilson made 79 senior appearances for New Zealand. She represented New Zealand at the 1999 and the 2003 World Netball Championships, winning a gold medal at the latter. She captained New Zealand when they won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and again at the 2007 World Netball Championships. During the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup era, she played for Otago Rebels and Southern Sting. During the early ANZ Championship era, she captained Southern Steel. She was a member of six premiership winning teams – the 1998 Otago Rebels team and the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007 Southern Sting teams. In 2022, she was included on a list of the 25 best players to feature in netball leagues in New Zealand since 1998. In 2024, Wilson was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to netball.
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Robert Stout
- Occupations
- judgepoliticianlawyersurveyor
- Biography
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Sir Robert Stout KCMG was a New Zealand politician who was the 13th premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices. He was noted for his support of liberal causes such as women's suffrage, and for his strong belief that philosophy and theory should always triumph over political expediency.
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Clare Curran
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Clare Elizabeth Curran is a New Zealand former politician who served as a member of the New Zealand Parliament for Dunedin South from 2008 to 2020. She was the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications, and Digital Media and Associate Minister for the Accident Compensation Corporation in the Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand. Curran retired from politics at the 2020 general election.
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Chris Laidlaw
- Occupations
- politiciandiplomatrugby union player
- Biography
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Christopher Robert Laidlaw is a New Zealand politician and former rugby union player, Rhodes Scholar, public servant, diplomat and radio host.
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Annette Baier
- Occupations
- writerphilosopher
- Biography
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Annette Claire Baier was a New Zealand philosopher and Hume scholar, focused in particular on Hume's moral psychology. She was well known also for her contributions to feminist philosophy and to the philosophy of mind, where she was strongly influenced by her former colleague, Wilfrid Sellars.
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Justin Lester
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Justin Mark Lester is a New Zealand businessman and politician. He was Mayor of Wellington between 2016 and 2019, following six years on the Wellington City Council.
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Farah Palmer
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with Doctor of Philosophy
- Occupations
- sociologistuniversity teacherrugby union player
- Biography
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Dame Farah Rangikoepa Palmer DNZM is a professor at Massey University and a former captain of New Zealand's women's rugby union team, the Black Ferns.
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Joe Williams
- Years
- 1934-2020 (aged 86)
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Studied in 1960
- Occupations
- politicianphysician
- Biography
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Joseph Williams QSO was a Cook Islands politician and physician who served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands for four months in 1999. He is credited with having worked to prevent the spread of the tropical disease lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis). He principally resided in Auckland, New Zealand, where he was medical director of the Mt Wellington Integrated Family Health Centre.
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Alison Holst
- Occupations
- chef
- Biography
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Dame Alison Margaret Holst DNZM CBE QSM is a best-selling New Zealand food writer and television celebrity chef.
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Melodie Robinson
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- 1992-1995 studied sociology of sport and physical education
- Occupations
- broadcasterentrepreneurjournalistrugby union playermanager
- Biography
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Melodie Robinson is a New Zealand sports journalist and presenter, and former international rugby union player for the New Zealand women's national rugby union team. She played 18 tests for the New Zealand women's team, the Black Ferns, from 1996 to 2002. Robinson won two world cups in that time, playing blindside or openside flanker. She also represented New Zealand in sevens at the Hong Kong 7s and Japan 7s.
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Christopher de Hamel
- Occupations
- librarianwriterhistorianacademic
- Biography
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Christopher Francis Rivers de Hamel FSA FRHistS is a British academic librarian and expert on mediaeval manuscripts. He is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and former Fellow Librarian of the Parker Library. His book Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts is the winner of the Duff Cooper Prize for 2016 and the Wolfson History Prize for 2017.
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Brent Hodge
- Occupations
- film directorscreenwriter
- Biography
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Brent Hodge is a Canadian-New Zealander documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur. He is best known for his documentaries I Am Chris Farley, A Brony Tale, The Pistol Shrimps, Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary, Chris Farley: Anything for a Laugh, Who Let the Dogs Out and Pharma Bro. He has been nominated for six Leo Awards for his documentary movies Winning America, What Happens Next? and A Brony Tale, winning one for A Brony Tale in 2015. He was nominated for two Shorty Awards under the "director" category in 2014 and 2015 for his work on The Beetle Roadtrip Sessions and A Brony Tale. Hodge also won a Canadian Screen Award in 2014 for directing The Beetle Roadtrip Sessions with Grant Lawrence.
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Michael Baker
- Occupations
- researcher
- Biography
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Michael George Baker MNZM is a New Zealand epidemiologist. He is a professor of public health at the University of Otago. Baker has worked as an advisor and member of multiple organisations. Notably, Baker is a member of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority's Academy and of the New Zealand Ministry of Health's Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group.
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Jim Marurai
- Years
- 1947-2020 (aged 73)
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Jim Marurai was a Cook Islands politician who served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
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Tom Franklin
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Tom Franklin is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a lock for Taranaki in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Western Force in Super Rugby.
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Andrew Boyens
- Occupations
- association football player
- Biography
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Andrew Victor Boyens is a New Zealand former footballer who played as a centre-back and is the technical director for New Zealand Boyens has represented New Zealand at the international level.
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Simon O'Neill
- Occupations
- opera singer
- Biography
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Simon John O'Neill ONZM is a New Zealand-born operatic tenor. In 1998, his image appeared on the New Zealand one-dollar performing arts postage stamp.
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Jan Logie
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Heather Janet Logie is a New Zealand politician and a former member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. She is a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Ichiro Kawachi
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with Doctor of Medicine
- Occupations
- editorsociologistepidemiologist
- Biography
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Ichiro Kawachi is a social epidemiologist of Japanese origin who was trained in New Zealand. He is currently the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Social Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health where he is also the chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
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Dave Cull
- Occupations
- writerpoliticiantelevision presenter
- Biography
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David Charles Cull CNZM JP was the mayor of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand. He became the 57th Mayor of Dunedin in October 2010 and was re-elected in both the 2013 mayoralty race and 2016 mayoral election. Before politics, he was a presenter for Television New Zealand and an author.
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Te Rangi Hīroa
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 1910 graduated with Doctor of Medicine
- Occupations
- politicianpublic figureanthropologisthistoriandirector
- Biography
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Sir Peter Henry Buck KCMG DSO, also known as Te Rangi Hīroa or Te Rangihīroa, was a prominent New Zealand anthropologist and an expert on Māori and Polynesian cultures who served many roles through his life: as a physician and surgeon; as an official in public health; as a member of parliament; and ultimately as a leading anthropologist and director of the Bishop Museum in Hawaii.
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Peter Tapsell
- Occupations
- politiciansurgeonrugby union player
- Biography
-
Sir Peter Wilfred Tapsell KNZM MBE FRCS FRCSEd was Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996. He was notable for being the first Māori Speaker, and for being the first Speaker since Bill Barnard in 1943 to hold office while not a member of the governing party.
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Arnold Nordmeyer
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Sir Arnold Henry Nordmeyer ONZ KCMG was a New Zealand politician and Presbyterian minister. As a member of Parliament (MP) he played a crucial role in the Labour Party, serving from 1935 to 1969. He served as minister of finance (1957–1960) and later as leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition (1963–1965). Although he was a prominent statesman, Nordmeyer never ascended to the role of prime minister.
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Carla Hohepa
- Occupations
- rugby union playerteacherrugby sevens player
- Biography
-
Carla Hohepa is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a wing for New Zealand, Otago Spirit and Alhambra Union. She was a member of the Black Ferns Champion squads that won the 2010 and 2017 Rugby World Cups.
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Holly Lawford-Smith
- Born in
-
New Zealand - Enrolled in the University of Otago
- Graduated with master's degree
- Occupations
- women's rights activistactivistwriteruniversity teacher
- Biography
-
Holly Lawford-Smith is a New Zealand–Australian philosopher, author and associate professor in Political Philosophy, University of Melbourne.
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Peter Chin
- Years
- 1941-.. (age 84)
- Occupations
- lawyer
- Biography
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Peter Wing Ho Chin, CNZM CNZM (born 1941) is a lawyer and was the 56th Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand. He served two terms as Mayor from 2004 to 2010.
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Mai Chen
- Occupations
- lawyer
- Biography
-
Mai Chen is a New Zealand and Harvard educated lawyer with a professional and specialist focus in constitutional and administrative law, Waitangi tribunal and courts, human rights, white collar fraud and regulatory defence, judicial review, regulatory issues, education law, and public policy and law reform. Chen is a barrister and holds an office in the Public Law Toolbox Chambers. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Auckland School of Law. Having served previously in the university's Business School. Chen is also the Chair of New Zealand Asian Leaders, SUPERdiverse WOMEN and the Superdiversity Institute for Law, Policy and Business. She is married to Dr John Sinclair and the two have one son.
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David Farrar
- Years
- 1967-.. (age 58)
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
David Peter Farrar is a New Zealand political activist, blogger and pollster. He is an infrequent commentator in the media on internet issues. Farrar manages his own market research company, Curia.
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Aaron Hawkins
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Aaron Garth Hawkins is a New Zealand politician who served as the 58th mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand from 2019 to 2022. He was elected as Mayor on 12 October 2019 with 54.54% of the vote, after two prior terms as councillor. He is endorsed by the Green Party. He unsuccessfully stood for re-election as mayor in 2022. Hawkins subsequently co-founded a re-wilding project called Floruit.
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Peter McIntyre
- Occupations
- writerpainter
- Biography
-
Peter McIntyre OBE was a New Zealand painter and author who rose to prominence as a result of artwork produced in his capacity as an official war artist during the Second World War.
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Holly Walker
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Holly Ruth Walker is a New Zealand writer, public servant, and former politician.
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Volker Heine
- Occupations
- physicistuniversity teacher
- Biography
-
Volker Heine FRS is a German-born New Zealand and British physicist who is a Professor Emeritus at University of Cambridge. He is considered a pioneer of theoretical and computational studies of the electronic structure of solids and liquids and the determination of physical properties derived from it.
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Tim Macindoe
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Timothy Harley Macindoe is a New Zealand politician who has served as a member of the Hamilton City Council for the East Ward since 2024. Macindoe was previously a Member of Parliament for the Hamilton West electorate from 2008 to 2020. He served as the Minister of Customs for the final six months of the Fifth National Government.
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Murray Brennan
- Occupations
- surgeonresearcheroncologist
- Biography
-
Sir Murray Frederick Brennan GNZM is a New Zealand surgeon, oncologist, cancer researcher, and academic. From 1985 to 2006, he was chairman of the surgery department of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, United States.
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Murray Deaker
- Years
- 20th Century
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 1968 graduated with Master of Arts
- Occupations
- teacherannouncer
- Biography
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Murray James Boyd Deaker ONZM is a New Zealand sports radio and television talk show host and sports author.
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Rod Carr
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- 1977-1981 graduated with bachelor's degree in economics
- Occupations
- academicbanker
- Biography
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Roderick Marshall Carr is a New Zealand businessman and administrator. He retired from his position as vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury in 2019 and has been a chairman of the board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and a director of Lyttelton Port Company, Taranaki Investment Management and Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, Carr was appointed as Chair-designate for the Climate Change Commission and has been confirmed in that role for five years following the passing of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act. Carr has been partially sighted and legally blind since birth.
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Rebecca Scown
- Occupations
- rower
- Biography
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Rebecca Scown is a Silver and Bronze Olympic medalist rower from New Zealand. Together with Genevieve Behrent, she won the silver medal in the women's coxless pair at the 2016 Summer Olympics. At the same Olympic games she doubled up to compete in New Zealand's first ever Olympic women's eight placing 4th. Previous to this with Juliette Haigh, she won the bronze medal in the women's coxless pair at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Juliette and Rebecca won gold in the women's pair at the World Rowing Cup regatta in Lucerne, 2010 and at the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro and the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled. Rebecca created history stroking the New Zealand's women's eight at the 2015 World Rowing Championships where they won the first ever silver medal for New Zealand in the event, and in doing so qualified the eight for the Olympic Games in Rio. After winning a bronze medal with the New Zealand women's eight at the 2017 World Rowing Championships, she retired from the sport.
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Sue Kedgley
- Years
- 1948-.. (age 77)
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- In 1972 graduated with Master of Arts
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Susan Jane Kedgley ONZM is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author. Before entering politics Kedgley worked for the United Nations in New York for 8 years and for a decade as a television reporter, director and producer in New Zealand.
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Roy McKenzie
- Occupations
- ski jumper
- Biography
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Sir Roy Allan McKenzie ONZ KBE was a New Zealand horse breeder and racer, and was well known for his philanthropy.
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Warwick Taylor
- Occupations
- rugby union player
- Biography
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Warwick Thomas Taylor is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He won 24 caps for the All Blacks between 1983 and 1988 and played in the victorious New Zealand team at the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
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David Benson-Pope
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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David Henry Benson-Pope is a New Zealand politician. He is a former Member of Parliament for Dunedin South and has been a member of the Dunedin City Council since 2013.
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Herb Green
- Occupations
- physician
- Biography
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George Herbert Green, B.A., BSc, M.B., Ch.B., (D.Obs. R.C.O.G.), M.R.C.O.G.(Lond.), was a New Zealand Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who led the National Women's Hospital Cervical Cancer Unit as Professor through the 1960s and 1970s and became notorious for conducting an alleged unethical experiment that was the subject of the Cartwright Inquiry.
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Duncan Oughton
- Occupations
- association football player
- Biography
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Duncan Oughton is a retired New Zealand association football player. Oughton played professionally in the United States for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew and represented New Zealand internationally. He was an assistant coach for Toronto FC until 31 October 2014, when the team let Ryan Nelsen and five of his assistant coaches go. Today he is the host of the TV series Soccer & Beer.
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Kimberly K. Arcand
- Enrolled in the University of Otago
- 2017-2020 graduated with Doctor of Philosophy in scientific visualization
- Occupations
- science communicatorcomputer scientistfilm producerwriterastronomer
- Biography
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Kimberly Kowal Arcand is a data visualizer and science communicator for NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. She is also the visualization coordinator for the Aesthetics and Astronomy image response project at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Sean Davison
- Occupations
- scientist
- Biography
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Sean Davison is a New Zealand-born South African scientist and author. In 2010 he was arrested in New Zealand and charged with the attempted murder of his terminally-ill mother, Dr. Patricia Ferguson. As a result of his arrest and High Court trial, he became an international campaigner for changes to the law regarding assisted dying under legally-defined criteria. He is the founder and director of the pro-euthanasia organisation Dignity South Africa and served for five years as president of the World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies. Both organisations support the decriminalisation of voluntary euthanasia.
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Jonathan Lemalu
- Occupations
- opera singer
- Biography
-
Jonathan Fa'afetai Lemalu ONZM is a New Zealand bass baritone opera singer. Born to Samoan parents who had emigrated to New Zealand, he was educated in Dunedin. His first singing teacher was Honor McKellar, who began teaching him while he attended Otago Boys' High School. He studied both Law and Music at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1999.
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Eion Edgar
- Occupations
- businessperson
- Biography
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Sir Eion Sinclair Edgar KNZM was a New Zealand businessman and philanthropist. He was the chairman of Forsyth Barr Group, a major investment company based in Dunedin, for 20 years until his retirement in 2018, and was chancellor of the University of Otago between 1999 and 2003.
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Alison Shanks
- Occupations
- sport cyclist
- Biography
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Alison Shanks is a retired New Zealand professional racing cyclist, specialising in the individual pursuit and team pursuit in track cycling and individual time trial in road bicycle racing. Prior to that she was an Otago Rebels netballer, the sport she played for more than five years before her cycling career.
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Paul Foster-Bell
- Occupations
- diplomatpolitician
- Biography
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Paul Ayers Robert Foster-Bell is a former New Zealand diplomat, a politician and was a list member of the House of Representatives between May 2013 and 2017 for the National Party. While he failed to win the party's nomination for the Whangarei electorate in March 2014, he remained in Parliament as a list MP for the following term.
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Rachel Reese
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Rachel Hadley Reese is a New Zealand local-body politician. She was the mayor of Nelson from 2013 to 2022. She was Nelson's first female mayor.
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Richie Poulton
- Years
- 1962-2023 (aged 61)
- Occupations
- psychologist
- Biography
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Richie Graham Poulton CNZM FRSNZ was a New Zealand psychologist and the director of the University of Otago's Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Research Unit, which runs the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (also known as the Dunedin Study). He was also a professor of psychology at the University of Otago, the 2007 founder and co-director of the National Centre for Lifecourse Research, the founder in 2011 of the Graduate Longitudinal Study, New Zealand, and the chief science adviser of the Ministry of Social Development in the New Zealand government.
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Grahame Sydney
- Occupations
- painter
- Biography
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Sir Grahame Charles Sydney KNZM is a New Zealand visual artist, based in the South Island region of Central Otago. Since beginning his professional art life in 1974 he has worked as a painter (in egg tempera, oil and watercolour), printmaker (etching and lithography), photographer and writer.
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Ethel Benjamin
- Occupations
- lawyer
- Biography
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Ethel Rebecca Benjamin was New Zealand's first female lawyer. On 17 September 1897, she became the first woman in the British Empire to appear as counsel in court, representing a client for the recovery of a debt. She was the second woman in the Empire to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor, two months after Clara Brett Martin of Canada.
