Number of applicants: 2026 MBChB and BDS
Steve made this Official Information request to University of Otago
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From: Steve
Dear University of Otago,
I would like to request the number of applicants for MBChB and BDS from the following HSFY categories:
Māori
Resident Indigenous Pacific
Refugee Background
Socioeconomic Equity
Rural (Government-funded places)
General applicants
Please also state how many of these applications were successful. Distinguish between those with <65% and over 65% average in HSFY papers here when stating how many / what proportion of applicants were successful in each category.
Finally, I request the total number of spots available from these categories for the 2026 cohorts.
Yours faithfully,
Steve
From: UoO - Official Information Act
University of Otago
Tēnā koe Steve
We acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act request.
If we have any questions or need to seek clarification on any points we will be in touch soon. Otherwise, we will seek to respond to your request as soon as practicable and no later than 20 working days after the date your request was received (by 20 April 2026). If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of this timeframe.
Ngā mihi
JO PEARSON (she/her)
Coordinator Official Information and Compliance
Office of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
New Zealand | Aotearoa
Email/Īmera [University of Otago request email]
From: UoO - Official Information Act
University of Otago
Tçnâ koe Steve
I refer to your information request dated 19 March 2026 made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). You have requested the following information:
-
I would like to request the number of applicants for MBChB and BDS from the following HSFY categories:
Mâori
Resident Indigenous Pacific
Refugee Background
Socioeconomic Equity
Rural (Government-funded places)
General applicants
Please also state how many of these applications were successful. Distinguish between those with <65% and over 65% average in HSFY papers here when stating how many / what proportion of applicants were successful in each category.
Finally, I request the total number of spots available from these categories for the 2026 cohorts.
-
The Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the date your request was received. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit. We are therefore writing to notify you, pursuant to section 15A of the Act, of an extension of the time to make our decision in respect of your request, by a further 20 working days – to 19 May 2026. However, we will endeavour to provide the information sooner if possible. We thank you for your patience.
If you are not satisfied with our extension of time, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. However, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns with you first.
Ngâ mihi
JO PEARSON (she/her)
Coordinator Official Information and Compliance | Kaituitui Pârongo Ôkawa me te Tautukunga
Office of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
University of Otago | Ôtâkou Whakaihu Waka
New Zealand | Aotearoa
Email/Îmera [University of Otago request email]
From: UoO - Official Information Act
University of Otago
Kia ora Steve
Please find attached the University of Otago's response to your Official Information Act request dated 19 March 2026.
Kā mihi
JO PEARSON (she/her)
Coordinator Official Information and Compliance | Kaituitui Pārongo Ōkawa me te Tautukunga
Office of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
New Zealand | Aotearoa
Email/Īmera [University of Otago request email]
From: Steve
Tēnā koe Jo,
Thank you for your response to my Official Information Act request.
I appreciate the information provided and the reference to the University’s published statistics. However, I remain concerned about the decision to decline the remainder of my request under section 18(g) of the Act.
To clarify, the key aspect of my request is the aggregated breakdown of applicant outcomes by admission category, including the distinction between those with below and above a 65% HSFY average. This distinction is central to understanding how academic thresholds relate to admission outcomes across the various equity pathways.
As for the second part of my request, I now understand the University's Mirror on Society policy. However, I would like clarification on the rural component, as I believe this contains a Government-funded aspect to it.
I would appreciate reconsideration of the decision with these points in mind, as I believe not doing so would risk being perceived as a 'desultory attempt' as described in the Ombudsman guide.
If the refusal is maintained, I would welcome a more detailed justification so I can consider whether to seek a review by the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act.
Ngā mihi,
Steve
From: UoO - Official Information Act
University of Otago
Tçnâ koe Steve
Please find attached our further response to your Official Information Act request dated 19 March 2026.
Ngâ mihi
Bill
Bill Frewen (he/him)
Manager Policy and Compliance | Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa Here mete Tikaka Mahi
Office of the Registrar and Secretary to the Council | Te Tari o Te Pouroki me te Kaituhi ki te Kaunihera University of Otago | Ôtâkou Whakaihu Waka
Email | Îmera [University of Otago request email]
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