School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

08/07/2026

Taking a one-size-fits-all approach to analysing data from smart mouthguards may mean serious injuries are missed, a new University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led study shows.

08/07/2026

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09/06/2026

Some insightful commentary about smart wearables from Professor Chris Button in this article:

Smart watches, rings, and clothing are becoming more and more commonplace. But are their health-monitoring functions worth the hype or causing more harm than good?

22/05/2026

In Remembrance of Associate Professor Mike Boyes

The School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science is mourning the passing last week of Mike Boyes, a much loved and respected former staff member and Dean. Mike joined the School in 1998 as a lecturer in Outdoor Education. Mike's interests and love for the natural environment persisted throughout his life and he was a strong role model for the Professional Studies staff at PE School. He saw the unique value that our students could gain from outdoor education in terms of the nexus between theory and application. Mike was a passionate advocate for the School and its students and it is a testament to his leadership qualities that he became Dean of the School from 2006-2007 and then an Associate Professor in 2012. Mike was also a keen advocate for Te Ao Māori and amongst the many values that he lived and breathed were: Manaakitanga, Ahuatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Atawhai and Aroha. Indeed, Mike was a wonderful human being with a unique combination of empathy, intelligence, humour, and humility. At a beautiful remembrance ceremony held on 19 May 2026, many SPESES staff and past students gathered to celebrate Mike's life and his enduring influence on us all. We all feel blessed to have had him in our lives and the School will miss him dearly.

For more information about Mike's life and career, see:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southern-honours-michael-antony-boyes

To read and post on a memorial board for Mike, see:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/bTUhKBtw

21/05/2026

Before Will Katene (Ngāti Toarangatira te iwi) became an Olympic torchbearer, a finalist for UK New Zealander of the Year and a recipient of the UK’s National Teaching Fellowship Award, he was just a sports-mad kid from Hamilton.

13/04/2026

✨ Sports-related subjects at Otago are ranked 22nd in the world (and first in Aotearoa New Zealand 🏅) in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 👏 Congratulations to all our amazing researchers and kaiako for your continuing mahi that’s contributed to the 2026 result, including many who are based in the School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago 🙌

13/04/2026

Our PhD candidate Nic Daniels had an interesting opinion article published on Newsroom - check it out!

Opinion from Otago University: The Govt must invest more into public transport subsidies to help with the cost of living crisis and to reduce emissions

12/03/2026

If you missed Professor Elaine Hargreaves' thought-provoking and inspirational IPL last week, you can catch it here:

Check out Professor Elaine Hargreaves' Inaugural Professorial Lecture titled "A simple choice? Understanding motivation to be physically active"

29/01/2026

Check out this article about PE alumnus Heath Mills, who is he CEO of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) and Chairman of the World Cricketers’ Association!
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/from-pe-school-to-global-sports-leader

If not for his Otago contacts and relationships, Heath Mills (BPhEd, 1994) says it’s very unlikely that he would be where he is today.