Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago

17/05/2026

Thank you to our 300level Human Nutrition students who volunteered to support our stand at this event. It was great fun interacting with the little people and their parents. Our most popular lunch box foods this year were; apple and bran muffins, corn on the cob, fruit salad and yoghurt, and baby carrots.

10/05/2026

Thanks to our 300 level Human Nutrition students for participating in this event this Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1TYpMaLkQg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Going to the doctor can be a scary time for kids – but it doesn't have to be!

11/03/2026

As part of the Master of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice, there’s an option for students to do placements for 6 months (SCNC598) in an organisation of their choice.

One of our students, Sam, is doing his within our department. The focus is community public health nutrition and sports nutrition. Go Sam!

29/01/2026

Applications Now Open | Robinson Dorsey Postgraduate Scholarship (2026)

Applications are now open for the Robinson Dorsey Postgraduate Scholarship, supporting students in Physiology or Human Nutrition at the University of Otago who are returning to study or whose personal circumstances may limit access to usual scholarships.
Scholarship value
💰 $25,000 for PhD study
💰 $13,000 for Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, or Honours
Eligibility
You must:
-Be a New Zealand citizen or hold a New Zealand Residence Class Visa
-Be enrolled or intending to enrol in a Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, MSc, or PhD in Physiology or Human Nutrition at the University of Otago
-Be returning to study after a break and/or not eligible for standard scholarships due to personal circumstances
📅 Closing date: 28 February
👉 Apply here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/database/the-robinson-dorsey-postgraduate-scholarship
For any questions, contact [email protected]

The Robinson Dorsey Postgraduate Scholarship was created to support postgraduate students who are returning to university study after a break, and/or who through their personal circumstances, are not eligible for usual scholarships.

13/01/2026

Have you enrolled in or are enrolling in a Master's Degree in Human Nutrition this year?
If you are then you should check out and apply for the Bee Nilson Award. This award is valued at $6000! Applications are open now and close on the 15th February 2026.
For more information and the application form, click on this link:
https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/database/bee-nilson-award
For any questions, please contact the Scholarships Office at [email protected].

The Bee Nilson Award provides funds to support final-year honours or paper-year masters' students studying Human Nutrition, Food Science or Consumer Food Science at the University of Otago.

22/12/2025

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are running a research study to take a look at the types of nutrition messages active women see on social media and the impact that it has on them.

If you are an active female (doing 30 minutes of exercise, 5 or more times a week), use social media and are over the age of 18, then we'd like to hear from you.

There are a number of messages aimed at active women on social media, we are wanting know 1) if active females see these messages 2) how they feel when they see these messages 3) if these messages lead to any changes in the practices of active females. This project is being undertaken as part of the requirements for a summer studentship in Human Nutrition.

Go in the prize draw for 1 of 4 $50 grocery vouchers.

If you are interested, you can access more information and sign up here:
www.redcap.link/misledormisfed

08/12/2025

We managed to catch Rachel, our Head of Department, for a quick chat today to ask about summer school papers you can take. Check the link in our bio for more info!

01/12/2025

Start your new year with learning that actually makes a difference to everyday life 🥗✨

HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition is back for Summer School, and it’s the perfect chance to explore how food, health, culture, and sustainability all connect.
And the best part? It’s fully available via distance learning, so you can study from home, the beach, or anywhere summer takes you.

Across this 18 point paper, running 5 January to 13 February, you’ll dive into some of the most important and often misunderstood questions in nutrition, including:
📚 What really makes up a healthy diet?
📚 How do different eating patterns affect health and disease risk?
📚 Do weight loss diets work long term or is there more to the story?
📚 Are nutrition supplements actually helpful, or just hype?
📚 What does a sustainable food system look like in Aotearoa?
📚 How do culture and environment shape the way we eat?

No prerequisites are required, and students from any programme are welcome. Whether you’re studying nutrition, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, public health, food science, or sport and exercise science, or you simply want to build your personal knowledge, HUNT141 offers a solid foundation in evidence based nutrition.

You’ll learn from engaging, award winning lecturers who make complex topics accessible, practical, and highly relevant.

If you’re keen to expand your understanding of human nutrition, now’s the perfect time. Enrolments close 15 December.

30/11/2025

Start your new year with learning that actually makes a difference to everyday life 🥗✨�

HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition is back for Summer School, and it’s the perfect chance to explore how food, health, culture, and sustainability all connect.

And the best part? It’s fully available via distance learning, so you can study from home, the beach, or anywhere summer takes you.
Across this 18 point paper, running 5 January to 13 February, you’ll dive into some of the most important and often misunderstood questions in nutrition, including:
📚 What really makes up a healthy diet?�
📚 How do different eating patterns affect health and disease risk?�
📚 Do weight loss diets work long term or is there more to the story?�
📚 Are nutrition supplements actually helpful, or just hype?�
📚 What does a sustainable food system look like in Aotearoa?
📚 How do culture and environment shape the way we eat?

No prerequisites are required, and students from any programme are welcome. Whether you’re studying nutrition, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, public health, food science, or sport and exercise science, or you simply want to build your personal knowledge, HUNT141 offers a solid foundation in evidence based nutrition.

You’ll learn from engaging, award winning lecturers who make complex topics accessible, practical, and highly relevant.
If you’re keen to expand your understanding of human nutrition, now’s the perfect time. Enrolments close 15 December.

Click here for more details and to enrol: https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/papers?papercode=HUNT141 -t-2026-timetable

The University of Otago is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world. Choose Otago for academic excellence and an outstanding student experience.

26/11/2025

A big congratulations to Emma, this year’s Spirit of Service and Community Engagement Prize recipient! 🎉 This $500 award celebrates students who uplift their communities through genuine service, leadership, and heart.

Emma has shown incredible initiative across both professional and volunteer roles, from strengthening national student engagement as a New Zealand Nutrition Society student representative to supporting athlete nutrition with Otago Rugby during the NPC season. Whether organising events or preparing refuelling packages on game day, Emma brings enthusiasm, curiosity and a giving spirit to every opportunity.

So thrilled to recognise this well-deserved achievement! 💛