Student Affairs and Support:

Available through MPS (for all medical students). Freephone 0800 225 5677, option 3. The EAP counselling service is available 24/7 for all University of Otago students. Freephone 0800 787 286

Puāwaitanga counselling service:

Puāwaitanga is a free telehealth counselling service available to all enrolled students, across all campuses.

They can support students with feelings of anxiety, low mood, relationship problems, grief, addictions, low self-esteem, or low confidence.

Appointments can be held with a counsellor anytime between 9am–9pm, seven days a week.

To book an appointment:

Students can call 0800 782 999 (free phone in New Zealand) or enrol online to arrange an appointment (a University of Otago student ID number will be required).

More about counselling services

GP visits at Christchurch doctors:

Free for Commnunity Services Card holders, otherwise NZ$20. Referrals available for free psychologist appointments.

More about GP services

Kaiawhi Wairua|Campus Chaplain:

Sheila Mark is available to meet with both staff and students. Email sheila.mark@otago.ac.nz

Chaplaincy plays a vital role in providing emotional and spiritual support to staff and students regardless of belief or background. We are trained professionals who offer confidential and non-judgemental, guidance, counselling, encouragement and comfort to individuals facing a range of challenges, such as illness, trauma, grief, and moral distress.

Prayer rooms:

A Muslim prayer space is on the 7th floor of the UOC building. In the hospital there is a chapel and a quiet space on Level 1, Waipapa.

Report a concern:

Confidential concerns regarding poor professional behaviour can be submitted through the ‘report a concern’ tab on the Student Affairs page on Moodle.

Other Avenues of Support for Undergraduate Students

Module Convenor:

If there are problems specific to a particular block module or vertical module you are strongly encouraged, in the first instance, to discuss these with the module convenor. If you aren’t sure who the various module convenors are you can contact the Medical Education Unit: uoc.meu@otago.ac.nz

Student Staff Committee:

The Student-Staff Committee is another place to take any concerns about the course. Student representatives from each year sit on the committee with members of staff. The committee works very well and has a proven record as an effective means of airing student and staff concerns and initiating change.

You should approach one of your student education representatives to raise any problems at a meeting of this committee.

2024 4^th Year Education Reps: Lilian Campbell-Tie & Lola Slaughter
2024 5^th Year Education Reps: Max Walker & Will Dixon
2024 TI Year Reps: Anna Scott & Diana Barbu

Associate Dean (Medical Education): Professor Lutz Beckert

The Associate Dean (Medical Education) has responsibility for the whole curriculum delivered to medical students at the School. They are available if you have concerns about any aspects of the course, particularly if you have suggestions for improvement. Please make initial contact by email. Email lutz.beckert@cdhb.health.nz

Dean of the Campus: Professor Suz Pitama

It has been a long-standing policy of successive Deans of the School to listen to any concern that any student may have and to assist in any way possible. Please contact them through their PA Robyn Maguigan for an appointment for a discussion in confidence robyn.maguigan@otago.ac.nz

UOC Education Unit:

The Education Unit supports the planning, development and administration of the curriculum for years 4-6 in the School. For details of roles and responsibilities, see link http://www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch/services/medicaleducation/index.html

Student support when away from main campus:

All satellite learning centres are supported by an Associate Dean and an administrator, who can provide similar support to the Associate Dean Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Administrator/Manager. They liaise closely with the ‘home campus’ as needed to support students.

Financial support:

The Medical Assurance Society Wellington (freephone 0800 800 627) will consider applications for loans from bona fide students. Most banks will also consider extending this facility.

Support for Specific Groups of Students:

Māori students:

The University of Otago, Christchurch has a number of resources to support Māori students within our medical school. Specifically these resources include:

Māori Student Support Advisor, Amber Philpott in the Department of Māori/Indigenous Health Innovation. Contact Amber via email at: amber.philpott@otago.ac.nz or see the Māori Centre if your require additional support
Professional mentoring and networking support: Please contact Dr Maira Patu,maira.patu@otago.ac.nz
Access to UOC Kaumatua Rangihau Te Moana – Please contact Clara-Ann Paul who is the administrator at MIHI: clara-ann.paul@otago.ac.nz

Student support to undertake extension in Māori health opportunities:

The University of Otago, Christchurch is committed to provide all students the opportunity to further their professional development opportunities in Hauora Māori. Specifically these resources include:

Placements within providers who work with Māori patients: Please contact MIHI via email mihi.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Access to Māori language and tikanga development opportunities: Please contact Amber Philpott, amber.philpott@otago.ac.nz
Māori Health Research Adviser – Cara Meredith Kaitohutohu Rangahau Hauora Māori. Email maoriadvancementHS@otago.ac.nz

Pacifika students:

Pacifika students are supported by Associate Deans Pacifika on each campus. The Associate Dean (Pacifika) at UOC is Dr Kiki Maoate – kiki.maoate@cdhb.health.nz

International Students:

The University of Otago’s International Office offers support in the following ways to international students based at the University of Otago Christchurch campus

International Student Advisers:

International Student Advisers (located in Dunedin) are available on a confidential basis to help students cope with the difficulties that arise when adapting to a new culture; such as the stress and unhappiness brought on by culture shock, homesickness, difficulties with making new friendships, financial arrangements or family difficulties. You can contact a Student Adviser in one of the following ways:

Email: international-support@otago.ac.nz

Phone: 03 479 5777/5921 (between the hours of 9.00-4.30)

In addition, an adviser will visit the Christchurch campus during the year. The adviser will be available to meet with international students to discuss any concerns or problems they may have. International students will be contacted regarding a visit schedule.

Feel free to contact the advisers directly.

Student Visa Service

The Student Visa Coordinator or a Student Adviser from the University of Otago’s International Office in Dunedin will visit the Christchurch campus and will be available to accept your application provided that you are eligible to apply through the Visa-on-Campus service (for more information refer to www.otago.ac.nz/international/visas) The International Office will contact you earlier in the year with details of their visit and to arrange appointments for students to submit their applications.

International students can only make applications through the Visa-on-Campus service in person during the visit listed above; otherwise all other applications will have to be made directly to Immigration New Zealand.

For more information please refer to the website www.otago.ac.nz/international/visas or contact the Student Visa Coordinator at student.visa@otago.ac.nz

Insurance Support:

The International Office provides an insurance support service. For more information on your policy or advice in making a claim please refer to the website www.otago.ac.nz/international/healthcare or email: international.insurance@otago.ac.nz, or Phone: 03 479 8344 (between the hours of 9.00am-4.30pm)

International Office Complaints:

Email: international-support@otago.ac.nz

Students with disabilities:

If you have a disability or condition causing temporary or permanent impairment, or an injury, chronic illness or deafness that may adversely affect your studies, please let your teachers know. They are reliant on you to make your needs known and will try to meet these needs wherever possible.

Please contact the Associate Dean Student Affairs if you are likely to need special consideration in examinations or other assessments, or if your study is affected.

Associate Dean Student Affairs, John Dean uoc.studentaffairs@otago.ac.nz