Dear University of Otago,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982.

I request a digital copy, preferably in PDF format, of the most recently finalized edition of the University’s record of scholarship and prize winners, typically titled "Scholarships, awards, prizes" or the equivalent annual publication of award recipients. If the 2025 record is not yet finalized, please provide the 2024 edition.

Regarding the precedent for release, I note that the University has previously released specific names and lists of award recipients in response to prior OIA requests, such as the request titled "Scholarship recipients" from January 2024 and "Otago Scholarships and Prestige Scholarships" from January 2026. Furthermore, as the University already records these awards in a formal booklet held by the University Library and notes them on official academic transcripts, the names of these recipients are already a matter of University record. Since these awards involve the distribution of University funds and the public recognition of academic merit, the public interest in transparency and the celebration of academic achievement outweighs any generic privacy interest under section 9(2)(a) of the Act.

I request the information in a digital format to avoid any printing or postage costs. If any individual names are withheld under section 9(2)(a), please provide the remainder of the document with those specific names redacted, rather than withholding the document in its entirety.

Kind regards,
AC