Annual awards celebrate Otago tauira ‘passion, talent’

From swimming in icy cold water to directing award-nominated performances, this year’s Blues and Golds Awards winners cover the breadth and depth of sports and culture.

Co-ordinated by the Otago University Students’ Association in collaboration with the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, the annual awards are a prestigious celebration of tauira achievements.

Swimmer Emilia Finer is this year’s University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year.

The 20-year-old competes nationally and internationally in multiple disciplines, including ice swimming.

Ice swimming requires athletes to swim in water of 5°C or lower wearing only a silicon cap, goggles and standard togs.

Earlier in the year, Emilia was part of the successful Frozen Ferns team that competed at the International Ice Swimming Association 6^th World Championships in Molveno, Italy.

She was the overall women’s winner of the 200m individual medley - in which she broke the world record she set the previous year - and 100m butterfly, and second in the 250m freestyle and 500m freestyle.

She was the fastest swimmer in the women’s 18-24 age group in all four events and set a new age group record in the 500m freestyle.

A member of the Neptune Swim Club and Otago Academy of Sport, she has also competed in several pool and open water competitions in the past year.

Also presented tonight, Charlie Butler (22) wins Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture for her achievements in dance.

The Otago Dance Association president choreographed and played a lead supporting role in this year’s Capping Show, and co-directed and produced Motion Sickness, a dance show that debuted in the 2025 Dunedin Fringe Festival.

The show, which was nominated for ‘Best Dance Item’ in the Festival, incorporated New Zealand Sign Language into its choreography to create a dance experience inclusive of Dunedin’s Deaf and hearing-impaired community.

Charlie also co-directed this year’s Law Revue, What we do in the Law School.

In total, 10 awards, 19 Silver Service, 27 Blues and two golds were presented at this evening’s ceremony, held at the Otago Business School.

OUSA Administrative Vice President Amy Martin says reading through the applications and seeing the full extent of what Otago students are achieving was both inspiring and humbling.

“It really highlights just how much passion, talent, and commitment our students bring to so many different areas,” she says.

“However, it was incredibly tough to make decisions in categories where only one person could win. It is such a privilege to celebrate the hard mahi and dedication students have put into their work, whether in sport, culture, or service.

“It’s amazing for the students to have the opportunity to be given that moment of recognition and celebration both for the outcomes and the journey and effort that got them there.”

List of winners:

University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year: Emilia Finer – swimming

Highly Commended: Ian Audas – ice hockey

University of Otago Māori Sportsperson of the Year: Hannah Matehaere – rowing

OUSA Cultural Society of Year: Otago Malaysian Students' Association

Highly commended: Muslim University Students Association

Special mention: Otago University Omani Students Association

OUSA Society of Year: Otago University Debating Society

Highly commended: Otago Consulting Club

Highly commended: Otago Microbiology & Immunology Students Association

OUSA Sports Club of the Year: Otago University Rowing Club

Highly commended: Otago Dance Association

Special mention: Otago University Swim Club

OUSA Coach of the Year: Neil Carr – rowing

Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture: Charlie Butler – dance

Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community: Payton Mitchell

Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community: Charlotte Smith

OUSA Silver Service: Aimee Clark – Women in Business Otago, Anouk Tremain – Women in Business Otago, Bri Bold – Otago Dance Association, Charlie Boocock-Yee - Archery Club, Charlie Butler - Otago Dance Association, Ella Mary Sangster - Thursdays in Black Otago, Ellena Wood - Thursdays In Black Otago, Ethan Jackson - Otago University Debating Society Inc, Georgia McKenzie - Otago University Squash Club, Giorgia Fletcher - Thursdays In Black Otago, Grace Verryt - Thursdays In Black Otago, Hannah Lemon - Otago Dance Association, Kristina Hames - Otago Microbiology and Immunology Students Association, Laura Hern - Otago Student Volunteer Army, Lillie Driscoll-King - University Albion Netball Club, Natalie Shaw - MOV-E Club, Natasha Levene - Otago Dance Association, Nīkau Edmond-Smaill - Amnesty Youth Otago, Stella Lonsdale-Hope - Otago Dance Association

University of Otago Gold Awards: Bri Bold – dance, Deborah Huang – debating

University of Otago Blue Awards: Alexa Duff – basketball and athletics, Anna Browning – cricket, Charlie Barclay – rowing, Dallas McKnight – rugby, Elizabeth Hanaray – sports aerobics, Emilia Finer – swimming, Emma Mason – volleyball, Grace Southby – netball, Ian Audas – ice hockey, Jamal Todd – cricket, Louisa Kotkamp – cricket, Luke Brock – rowing, Maia Teusse – underwater hockey, Mason Clarke – cricket, Maz Saunders – squash, Millie Scott – rowing, Neve Graamans – touch rugby, Olive Pearce – kayaking, Olivia Piebenga – rowing, Pheline Rosin – kickboxing and taekwondo, Samantha Heyward – ice hockey, Sebastian Ferro – athletics, Toby Martin – athletics, Toby Robinson – rowing, Zac Wight – squash