Guest Speakers
Programme of Speakers 2026:
February
13 Kane Fleury (Curator of Natural Sciences at Tuhura Otago Musuem) The worlds' rarest whale
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Programme of Speakers 2025:
February
14 Robert Patman (Professor, Department of Politics, University of Otago) How the Veto Powers of the Permanent United Nations Security Council Members are Destabilising Global Security
28 Russell Frew (Chief Scientist, Oritain) Verification of Origin to bring Transparency to Trade
March
14 Laurence Fearnley (Award Winning Novelist and Short Story Writer) The Five Senses project: Laurence Fearnley's quest to write five novels based on scent, touch, sound, sight and taste
28 Stephanie Waller (Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago) Bird Flu - is Aotearoa prepared for this coming virus?
April
11 Taylor Davies-Colley (Science Communicator and Educator, Orokonui Ecosanctuary) Orokonui - 17 Years of returning nature to the Orokonui Valley
May
2 Paulina Barry (Master of Science Communication graduate, Ecologist and Artist) Picturing Extinction
30 Paul Hansen (Emeritus Professor, Department of Economics, University of Otago) My life at Otago (1984-2024), teaching and research on health economics
June
13 Jonathan Rowe (Programme Manager, Climate and City Growth, Dunedin City Council) South Dunedin Future
27 Grant Robertson (Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago) Experiences as a student at Otago, and relationship of University to wider Dunedin City
July
11 Gretchen Kivell (Club Member) Remarkable stories from ancient times in the West of China
25 Liam Arthur (Co-founder of non-profit community eatery, The Bowling Club) Founding and running a sustainable and accessible food business for the community
August
8 Judy Bellingham (Opera singer, author, and retired Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Otago) What happens in the singing lesson?
22 Louisa Medlicott (Clinical Psychologist) A short history of disability
September
5 Daphne Lee (Emeritus Professor, Department of Geology, University of Otago) Update on research at Foulden and Hindon Maars, and fossil treasures in the Geology Museum at the University
19 Selar Henderson (Founder and Director of Futurevalue, a company focused on renewable energy, and sustainability) Regenerative Futures: opportunities and challenges for community-led development in Papua New Guinea
October
3 Quinn Berentson (Documentary Film Maker, photographer and author) Return of the Moa? The ethics of de-extinction
17 Brian Miller (Geologist, author, publisher, and photographer) Dunedin's Early Exhibitions in a City of Gold 31 Rupert Denton (Teacher and founder of Spellcaster) Spellcaster: literacy programme for children and teens
November
14 Rachel Souness (Legal researcher and referee for Dunedin Disputes Tribunal) The role and work of the Dunedin Disputes Tribunal
21 Rob Burton (Research Professor at Ruralis, a research institute based in Norway) Whatever happened to lab-grown burgers? Development of the artificial protein industry.
December
12 Terence Dennis (Professor and Head of Classocial Performance Studeis, University of Otago) International recital partnerships with Opera Singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
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Programme of Speakers 2024:
February
9 John Harraway (Honorary Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago) An invite to Yunnan Province in China to talk at a conference on the origins of the medicinal plant Ginseng, and experiences traveling in China
23 Brian Tegg (Retired Secondary School Principal, and Ministry of Education Property Advisor) 100 Years of Secondary Schoolbus Services in new Zealand, and the replication of the first school bus "Paemako"
March
8 Hannah Kessenich (Doctoral Student, Department of Physics, University of Otago) Unravelling Recent Trends in the Anatarctic Ozone Layer
22 Dr Ali Hill (Senior Professional Practice Fellow, Department of Human Nurtition, University of Otago) Eating for Healthy Ageing
April
5 Paul Donovan (Former camera operator, Natural History New Zealand) Filming some of the World's Wildlife Followed by 101st Annual General Meeting of the University Club
19 Professor Emerita Nicola Peart (Faculty of Law, University of Otago) Family Property Law: out of step with society's expectations? Followed by Special General Meeting of the University Club
May
3 Dr Donald Kerr (Heritage Collections Librarian, Dunedin Public Libraries) Left vs Right: the battle of the book clubs (1936-1951)
17 Cam McCracken (Director, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden and Olveston Historic Home) The international art market, Nazi plunder(?) and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
31 Paul McIntyre (Editor-in-Chief, Otago Daily Times) Trust in the Media: Social Media v Legacy Media
June
14 Antony Hamel (Author of the book 'Dunedin Tracks and Trails: an Illustrated Guide') Dunedin Tracks - Update on the use of tracks by tourists and locals
July
12 Gretchen Kivell (Former Head of Toroa and Abbey Colleges, University of Otago) Textiles from Uzbekistan
26 Sandy Elkin (Lecturer in Bioethics and Health Law, University of Otago, New Zealand Medical Council Investigator) Rwanda: Reflections of an Accidental Tourist
August
9 Jules Radich (Mayor of Dunedin City) Vision for Dunedin
23 Dr Viktoria Kahui (Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Otago) Should nature own itself? Comparing Rights of Nature case studies worldwide
September
6 Sean Brosnahan (Curator, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum) The Journey to New Edinburgh film project: behind the scenes
20 Alan Matchett (Curator - Dunedin Botanic Garden) Dunedin Botanic Garden - Planning for its Future
October
18 Austen Banks (Club Member, Past President) My 5 weeks as a Solivagant (Defined by dictionaries as a solitary wanderer)
November
1 Patrick Mahoney (Chief Commercial Officer, Escea Fireplace Company) Fire for Life
15 Jim McQuillan (Emeritus Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago) Burns Park Scenic Reserve: Rediscovered Gem within Dunedin City
29 Gill Brown (Principal Policy Advisor for Housing, Dunedin City Council) Housing in Dunedin - some challenges and solutions
December
13 John Drummond (Emeritus Professor of Music, University of Otago) "Nuisances"
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Programme of Speakers 2023:
February
3 Dr Ross Grimmett (Club Member, retired Professor of Chemistry, University of Otago) "Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall" - memories of a childhood in Dunedin during World War II
17 John Matheson (Retired Orthopaedic Surgeon) The Science and Art of Orthopaedics
March
3 Dr Donald Kerr (Former Special Collections Librarian, University of Otago) Awakening a Curate's Library: the Rev. William Arderne Shoults
(1839-1887)
17 Kevin Winders (Chief Executive, Port Otago) Adapting to Change 31 Dr John Holmes (Club Vice-President) Printing for Pleasure - Followed by 100th Annual General Meeting of the University Club
April
14 Dr Pamela Wood (Author and Nurse) New Zealand nursing - through a Dunedin lens, 1880-1950. The key role of Dunedin nurses in changing hospital care, developing new health services to meet emerging needs, and shaping nursing as a profession
28 Alexandra Cunninghame (Coroner) The Coroner in Aotearoa - Speaking for the dead to help the living
May
12 Peter Hayden (Actor, Writer, Director and Producer) Wild South....and other compass points
26 James Nation (Chief Executive, Sport Otago) Sports and physical activity, and how this shapes people
June
9 Michael Macknight (Co-founder and Director of ADInstruments, and co-founder of MR EMG) MR EMG - from concept to product
23 Rowan Ellis (Founder of Body Synergy and co-founder of MR EMG) The evolution of MR EMG - a company offering programs to support clinicians in treatment of spinal pain
August
18 Dr Jennifer Cattermole (Head of Music Programme, School of Performing Arts, University of Otago) Exploring taonga pūoro – traditional Māori musical instruments
September
1 The Very Revd Dr Tony Curtis (Dean of Dunedin, St Paul's Cathedral) The Sympathetic Restoration of an Icon
15 Dr John Clarkson (retired Dunedin Public Hospital paediatrician and Senior Lecturer in Child Health, University of Otago) My Encounters with Neonatal Intensive Care
29 Jane Wilson (Tenancy Tribunal Abjudicator) The Tenancy Tribunal - a journey
October
13 Al Robinson (Club Member) Dr Dudley William Carmalt-Jones, Professor of Medicine, University of Otago and founder of the University Club in 1923
27 Megha Senthilkumar (St Hilda's Collegiate) Sleep and Adolescents - Winner of Aurora Energy Otago Science and Technology FairNovember
10 Professor Bernadette Drummond (Oral Sciences, University of Otago) Fluoride Considerations - Past and Present
24 Professor Murray Thomson (Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Otago) Watch your mouth - ageing and oral health
December
8 Dr Royden Somerville KC (Barrister and former Chancellor of University of Otago 2018-22) Anniversaries and Reminiscences
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Programme of Speakers 2022:
February
11 Professor Nancy Longnecker (Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago) Science communication has saved Kiwi lives during the Covid-19 pandemic
25 Lorraine Isaacs (Club Vice-President) Grandmother's Lucky Life
May
6 Chris Boyd (Club Secretary and MLitt student) Folklore from the Hebrides Islands, Scotland
20 Tahu Mackenzie (Education Officer, Orokonui Ecosanctuary) Lessons from the Living World
June
3 Dr Matthew Schmidt (Senior Heritage Adviser, Department of Conservation) Dunedin's Changing Shoreline: A city built on reclamation
17 Professor Emerita Jocelyn Harris (Department of English and Linguistics, University of Otago) The Lost Ring of Philadelphia Hancock, the aunt of Jane Austen
July
1 Dr Anna Campbell (Co-founder, Zesttwellness) Zewstwellness (Plant-based supplements to improve immunity and lung health)
15 Ryan Hartigan (Lecturer in Theatre Studies, University of Otago and Artistic Director) Dollhouse Theatre , the New Athenaeum, and vision for theatre space in Dunedin
29 Sam Purdie (Environmental Educator, Orokonui Ecosanctuary) Otago's Discrete Denizens
August
12 Dr Olivia Harrison (Department of Psychology, University of Otago) Breathing and Anxiety
26 John Matheson (Retired Orthopaedic Surgeon) The Hand - Physiology, Philosophy and Pathology
September
9 Peter Bodeker (Regional Director, Ministry for Primary Industries) The Mycoplasma bovis eradication program and foot and mouth disease
23 Angus Henderson (Student, University of Otago) Otago University, Covid-19, and the modern age of learning
October
7 Charlie Unwin (Dunedin Arts Festival Director) 2022 Dunedin Arts Festival
21 Jonathan Cweorth (Chair of Gasworks Museum Trust) Creative fire: Art and industrial heritage, our problematic past
November
4 Sir Jim Mann (Professor in Human Nutrition and Medicine, University of Otago) Question and Answer Session
18 Nicola Taylor (Director, Children's Issues Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Otago) Post separation arrangements for children, and international child abduction
December
2 Melloney Meek (Graduate History Student, University of Otago) Swans and Kiwis: Anna Pavolova in New Zealand in 1926 and her lasting impact on ballet