Theses can be very useful sources of unpublished research, but they can also be hard to locate.

Theses from other New Zealand institutions

NZ Research is part of DigitalNZ (https://digitalnz.org/nzresearch) and it lets you search across the research repository records of NZ tertiary institutions (including the University of Otago) and other partnered organisations.

A research repository is basically a secure database and archive for the research produced by an organisation’s members. The research repository for the University of Otago is OUR Archive [https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/].

NZ theses published before 2010

Te Puna Search (tepuna.on.worldcat.org) allows you to search across all NZ library catalogues. NZ theses published before 2010 are unlikely to have been made available online through a research repository. It is worthwhile checking if there is a physical (print) copy available in a library collection.

A search tip: make sure you add the keyword, thesis to any library catalogue searches (e.g. thesis dentistry children tooth brushing).

The physical and online versions of any University of Otago theses, can be found using Library Search Ketu.

Requesting theses that are only available in print (hard copy)

Please contact the Distance Library Service about how to access theses in print listed in Te Puna and / or Library Search Ketu. There may be some limitations on the borrowing of theses (e.g., in library use only).

Email: ask.library@otago.ac.nz

Freephone: 0800 347 826 or 0800 DISTANT (NZ only)

Phone: +64 (0)3 479 8910

International Thesis Databases and Repositories

Several of these online collections are listed on the Thesis Information Guide (https://otago.libguides.com/thesisinformation/finding). If you can’t access the entire thesis online, contact the Library and/or make a request using the Interloan service (www.otago.ac.nz/library/interloan.html).

Email the Library: ask.library@otago.ac.nz

Charges for Requesting Theses from Libraries Overseas

There may be a charge of $25 for international thesis interloan requests (i.e. theses supplied from libraries outside New Zealand and Australia). The Interloan team will always check with you before placing interloan requests that involve a charge to you.