A talented hockey player who has represented New Zealand at the highest level has been named Sportsperson of the Year at the University of Otago’s annual Blues and Golds Awards.

The awards, co-ordinated by the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) in collaboration with the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, recognise and celebrate the highest degree of sporting, cultural, community and arts achievements among students.

Bachelor of Science student Benji Culhane (21) has played 15 matches for the Black Sticks, the national men’s hockey team, after making his debut last year.

He has also captained the New Zealand under-21 side, which he says was an “honour”, and plays for the Otago University Hockey Club.

A highlight of his sporting career so far is competing in the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, playing in 30-degree heat. While the weather was a battle, he says the experience helped him develop as a hockey player and a person.

Highly commended in the Sportsperson of the Year category was Jake Corney (underwater hockey), and Jacob Waikari-Jones (rugby) was Māori Sportsperson of the Year.

Mr Waikari-Jones was the vice-captain of the New Zealand Universities Rugby Team, which played two games against a Japan under-20 side in Christchurch earlier this year.

Tara Shepherd was named Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community and Kai Hiroti was Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community.

The OUSA Cultural Society of the Year went to the Indian Students’ Association and sexual harm prevention club Thursdays in Black Otago won OUSA Society of the Year.

In total, nine awards, five Silver Service, 39 Blues and three Golds were presented at this evening’s ceremony, held at the Otago Business School.

OUSA President Keegan Wells says the awards are a wonderful time to celebrate students and their success.

“Many students never really slow down to celebrate their wins, and the Blues and Golds hopes to give them a space to do so.

“It really illustrates not only how talented our students are but how diverse the cohort is at Otago. Many come here to excel in both sport and academics which shows how incredible Otago really is.”

The Blues awards began in 1908 to celebrate students’ sporting success, while the Golds originated in 2002 to acknowledge arts and cultural achievements.

2024 winners:

University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year: Benji Culhane – Hockey

Highly commended: Jake Corney – Underwater Hockey

University of Otago Māori Sportsperson of the Year: Jacob Waikari-Jones – Rugby

OUSA Cultural Society of Year: Indian Students' Association

Highly commended: Otago Malaysian Students' Association

OUSA Society of the Year: Thursdays in Black Otago

Highly commended: Otago University Debating Society

Special mention: Otago Student Volunteer Army

OUSA Sports Club of the Year: Otago University Canoe Club

Highly commended: American Football Otago

OUSA Coach of the Year: Janine Southby – University Albion Netball Club

Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community: Tara Shepherd

Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community: Kai Hiroti

OUSA Silver Service: Annie Racklyeft - University Albion Netball Club (club captain), Emily Paterson - Otago Postgraduate Association of Wellington (co-president), Aimee Didierjean - Otago Student Volunteer Army (health and safety manager), Julia Gorinski - Otago University Rugby Club (team player), Tony Huang - Otago University Debating Society (coach)

University of Otago Gold Awards: Oshadha Perera – Poetry, Oshadha Perera – Painting, Ariana Noelle Gepte - Performing Arts

University of Otago Blue Awards: Ale Aho – Rugby, Jacob Waikari-Jones – Rugby, Caitlin-Judith Heale – Ice Hockey, Gracie Bell – Handball, Zac Cumming – Cricket, Alice Cocker – Netball, Ella Southby – Netball, Grace Thomson – Fencing, Sera Cox – Fencing, Hailey Griffiths – Underwater Hockey, Jake Corney – Underwater Hockey, Alex Brown – Athletics, Catherine Lund – Athletics, Josh Chisholm – Athletics, Katelyn Sceats – Athletics, Luke Moffitt – Athletics, Isabella Aldrich – Surf Lifesaving, Madelene Ozanne – Surf Lifesaving, Madeline Loudon – Surf Lifesaving, Emily Peacock – Surf Lifesaving, Madison Lobb – Surf Lifesaving, Sophie Matehaere – Surf Lifesaving, Edwin George – Rowing, Ella Hansen – Rowing, Fynn Allison – Rowing, Sam Barnett – Rowing, Sam Rankin – Rowing, Madison Neale – Rowing, Ted Mayne – Rowing, Messina Su'a – Rowing, Scarlett Kirby – Korfball, Annabelle Schneideman – Hockey, Hayley Cox – Hockey, Patrick Ward – Hockey, Benji Culhane – Hockey, Hugh Nixon – Hockey, Liam Williams – Hockey, Jakob Bell-Kake – Hockey, Keita Elliott - Hockey