Clubs day couldn’t be held this year, so we thought we’d help you out by sorting all the clubs in one convenient table. Whether you’re trying to fit in, trying to find friends, or trying to join the froth, there’s a club for you. All participating clubs have supplied their current size and cost of membership, and we’ve asked them to write a blurb and self-identify on this moral alignment chart so you can browse based on your ideal club ideology. This was a self-reported score, so it’s not entirely trustworthy, but it’s worth noting that the only three clubs to identify as lawful evil were the Association for Law students, the Association for Chemistry students, and… Cat Rescue Dunedin. Somehow that makes sense.
Lawful good: Acts with sense of duty and honour and follows their code for good
Lawful neutral: Follows concepts like honour and tradition, but for their own personal goals
Lawful evil: Uses well-ordered systems and a strict code of conduct for evil
Neutral good: Believes doing the right thing means breaking some rules
True neutral: Neutral on all axes and doesn’t align in any direction
Neutral evil: Sees no value in order but has no passion for chaos, is out to get everyone
Chaotic good: Does whatever is needed, often without organised methods, for good
Chaotic neutral: Abandons rules and follows their own desires
Chaotic evil: Has no respect for rules or for others, follows their own cruel desires
Lawful Good:
Women in Health Network
>1,000 members across Aotearoa / Free
WiHN is a non-profit organisation that fosters a network of women working across the health sector. It aims to nurture the next generation of women health professionals and leaders with personal and professional development opportunities.
Cancer Core
60+ members last year but the more the better / Free
Cancer Core is a volunteer group providing a link between students and Cancer Society Otago & Southland. It provides a means to learn about the Cancer Society and find out how to get involved to help out a very worthy cause!
Sri Lankan Students Association (SLSA)
Free to join / $5 membership card
SLSA includes a diverse group of students that are dedicated to bringing the Sri Lankan culture to the heart of Dunedin. It's a chance to immerse yourself in the culture, food, dance and arts. So come be a member of our pride!
Otago Student Volunteer Army
350+ members on the SVA mobile app / Free
Well-known for the COVID-19 Grocery Services, we’re the Otago branch of the Student Volunteer Army. Accessible volunteering, no commitment necessary! Activities range from tree planting to bike repairs through weekly platoons, one-off events, and an annual camp (Queenstown, anyone?)
Otago University Taiwanese Students Association (OUTSA)
300+ members / $10
The OUTSA welcomes all students to experience this rick culture. Our club sticker provides discounts to over 60+ food outlets. Wherever your roots might be, the OUTSA invites you to immerse in your heritage, or broaden your cultural horizons.
Otago Campus Badminton Club (OCBC)
120ish members last year / $20 per semester
OCBC provides badminton to the University for new and experienced players! In co-operation with Unipol and the Otago Badminton Association, we provide tournaments, trainings and a social club throughout the Uni year!
Wildlife Hospital Students Association (WHSA)
700+ members / Free
We are a group of student volunteers who to aim to raise money for The Wildlife Hospital in Dunedin, one of the few places in the South Island that specialises in treating NZ’s native animals.
Southern Youth Choir
40-50 members / $40 a year
The Choir is a great way to meet others who enjoy singing. We rehearse once a week, working towards a concert at the end of the first semester. If you are keen contact John Buchanan (j.buchanan@xtra.co.nz) to register your interest in joining. If you enjoyed taking part in your school choir and The Big Sing then no audition will be required.
Otago Postgraduate Association
+760 members on Facebook / Free
OPA's mission is to create a supportive community of postgraduate students from all corners of the University through social and professional engagement.
Lawful Neutral:
Society of Atheists, Rationalists and Sceptics: 277 members, free
We get together to have group discussions about everything from philosophy to current events, either in person or online. All are welcome to come along and join in the fun; variety is the spice of life.
Otago Dance Association: 300 members last year, $30/year $20/sem
Otago Dance Association is a student-run club that was formed in 2013 with the purpose of providing accessible dance classes to everyone. We offer weekly classes during the University semesters as well as holding numerous social, performance, and competitive events.
Lawful Evil:
Society of Otago University Law Students
600+ members / $15
SOULS provides over 600 law students with legal competitions, wellbeing initiatives, educational advantages and the biggest social events of the year. For only $15, SOULS members pull big discounts on events and get an all access pass to everything law-school.
Otago University Chemistry Students Association
6.02E+23 / Free
From liquid nitrogen ice cream, suspiciously white powders and colourful explosions... we've got ya covered! A club for majors, minors and keen beans! So if you're interested in developing your criminal potential, this is the club for you! Jk... unless?
Cat Rescue Dunedin Student Society
New club / Free
Our feline overlords need feeding and on a schedule at that! Join us in helping the less fortunate kitties of Dunedin stay fed and healthy before they go find their forever-slaves. We do our best as measly humans to fundraise by doing crafts, watching movies and petting cats to ensure we give them the very best we can in association with Cat Rescue Dunedin.
Neutral Good:
Otago Japanese Students Association (OJSA)
~100 members / $8
OJSA is an association dedicated to providing opportunities for both Japanese and NZ students who are interested in Japanese culture to interact and get to know one another.
Effective Altruism Dunedin
New club, 14 members and plenty of capacity for more / Free
Ever wonder what’s the best way to help people? Us too! We are part of a global movement focused on how we can live lives that most benefit the world! We’re interested in big discussions over book clubs, seminars, game nights, and BYOs. Come along!
Animal Aquatic Plant Ecological Society (AAPES)
>200 last year / $15 for one semester, $20 for two
The student club for all things natural! Our events range from volunteering (plantings, penguin surveys, pest control), to socialising (BYOs, documentary nights) or just getting into nature (camps, glow worm walks). Make sure to give our Facebook page @AAPESOtago a follow to keep up to date with our events!
Otago Computer Science Society (OCSS)
Free
OCSS is a social club that (editor's note: doesn’t finish their sentences, apparently)
Students for Environmental Action
~70 members / Free
We're a community of nature-lovers, sustainability swots and climate warriors who aspire towards a cleaner, greener, healthier and ultimately happier Dunedin. We're all about radical tree-hugging action, but also see value in getting together to share ideas and food freshly plucked from our student garden!
Otago Photography Club (OPC)
New Club this year / $5 a year
OPC is a club for anyone who is interested in photography to know more people and have more reasons to take photos! Main activity: monthly themed photo challenges! (Prizes available if we get our grants?)
Otago Singapore Club (OSC)
~140 members, $6 a year
The OSC family welcomes everyone from different walks of life to immerse in Singapore’s diverse and unique culture. We want to bring Singapore to YOU so if enjoy food, heaps of sponsors (>50) & meeting new people, join us!
International Socialists
A couple of dozen members / Free
We follow the tradition of International Socialism: We engage in solidarity with the working masses across borders, fight for true people’s democracy from below, and discuss how we can affect change locally while thinking globally. Join the fight for socialism!
True Neutral:
Generation Vote
40 members / Free
Generation Vote provides civics education workshops to Dunedin schools and community groups because (surprise!) civics education is not a compulsory part of NZ's secondary curriculum. Help us help empower the next generation of New Zealanders to get involved in our democracy!
Otago Vietnamese Student Association (OVSA)
~20 members / $5 a year
Just like our alignment being true neutral, we are accepting of all people. You don't have to have lived in Vietnam, visited Vietnam or even be Vietnamese to join our group. If you love Vietnamese culture, people or food then come join!
Chaotic Good:
Otago Finance and Accounting Society (OFAS)
~50 members / Free
OFAS is a group of students who share an interest in Accounting and Finance. We run a range of events which are educational and social! Highlight of our year is the pub quiz night. It’s a good time!
Otago University Snow Sports Club (OUSSC)
500+ members / $20
Biggest club on campus baby! Like snow? Never seen snow? Don’t know what snow is? We are the club to join. With a hectic events schedule in semester one and six ski trips in semester two we will provide you with access to that sweet POW while having a jolly good time doing it.
Otago University Tramping Club (OUTC)
~550 members / $25
Tramping, Climbing, trail running, mountaineering, caving, we do it all! Join us on big, small, rocky, snowy, or holey trips during the week or on weekends throughout the year. Can't do any of the above?? We'll teach you!! Or just come down to The Bog at 6pm on Tuesdays for happy hour and a yarn. Also, we’re a bigger club than OUSSC, ha.
Student Christian Movement (SCM)
Small but perfect for discussions / Free
Looking to explore your faith in a queer-friendly, socially conscious space? SCM is the place for you! We host topic discussions fortnightly, with special events throughout the year. Join our FB group to get all the latest updates on what's happening!
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)
15-20 members / Free
SSDP is a group of students advocating to reform our drug policies in Aotearoa. We run social events with talks about drugs, drug use, and drug policy and we are often around campus advising students on how to use drugs safely. If you want to help make a difference then hit us up!
Otago Students of Colour Association (OSOCA)
Brand new this year / Free
As a first of its kind in Aotearoa, we have the chance to establish a community like you’ve never seen before! If you identify as a person of colour (POC), come help shape our club into a safe and positive space for POC on campus!
UniQ Otago:
$5
Are you queer, questioning, or simply allied with the fruity? UniQ creates safe spaces to socialise, have fun, and be yourself. Join our Facebook group to hear about our online events to keep you connected and sane in these plague-ridden times.
Otago University Athletic Football Club
~150 members last year / $250
Train, play and win with Dunedin's Football club for students! If you want to mix some high quality footy with the incredible student social scene then this is the club for you!
Otago University Tennis Association (OUTA)
$20
Like balls? Like whacking them? Ever fantasise about giving them a good walloping? Well boy do we have the club for you. Whack as many balls as you can from 4-6pm every Friday at Logan Park. Stocks only last until the last pair of balls go flying, so get in quick x
Otago University Handball Club
30 members / $10 for Social Members
Can you catch and throw? European Handball involves a wide range of sporting skills. Beginners or advanced-ers are welcome to come and train with us! We train Thursdays at 6pm Smithells Gym or get in contact on Facebook for more information.
Chaotic Neutral:
Otago University Tea Enjoyment and Appreciation Society (OUTEAS)
$5 or $20 for the Gold Membership
Drink Hot Leaf Juice (tea) with the best. Wax poetic as you nibble on biscuits and enjoy your delicious flavour of choice! Monthly events are a really relaxed way to meet new folks and make firm friends.
University of Otago Classical Society (CLASSOC)
~30 members / $10
Feel like you were born in the wrong era and seeking something back to BC/early AD? Went through a mythology phase, or maybe read Percy Jackson a dozen times? CLASSOC can fulfil your dreams.
Geography and Environmental Management Society (GEMS)
~50 members / $10 (discounts on events!)
GEMS is the society for Geographers, Environmental Managers and Planners. By facilitating social events, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising events we can help enrich the social lives of students in the School of Geography outside of their academic commitments
Chaotic Evil:
Otago University Disc Golf Club (OUDGC)
“Enough members that it’s not incest” / $10
We love to throw plastic discs of slightly different widths into metal baskets in order to feel somewhat okay about ourselves. Never heard of disc golf (DILF for short)? Neither had we until start of last year. Not that great at it? I can promise you we might be worse. So join us, be the people doing the glaring rather than the ones getting glared at.