Employer Testimonials

"L’Oreal has been successfully recruiting graduates from Otago University for 10years. So much so that L’Oreal introduced a marketing scholarship for those students chosen by the University to complete an Honours programme, majoring in marketing. We have continued to be impressed by the high caliber of students graduating from Otago University, especially their maturity and general attitude to work and career development. Many graduates we have employed have shown that passion to further their careers overseas and on many occasions we have been able to satisfy that ambition by placing them within L’Oreal’s subsidiaries in Europe and Australia."

For a whole century, L’Oreal has been committed to the adventure of beauty. From the single brand started by L’Oreal’s founder, Eugene Schueller in Paris in 1909, L’Oreal has become the world’s largest beauty company. It is an achievement secured by a rigorous scientific approach, a hunger for international expansion and ongoing quest for innovation and quality – an achievement that is the proof of the outstanding talent, commitment and values of men and women who have worked at L’Oreal these hundred years.

L’Oreal offers a unique opportunity to graduates who share the same passion and entrepreneurial spirit and who wish to be part of the beauty adventure

"Otago University produce more than academically sound students. The environment challenges Otago students to be independent, driven and full of initiative. These rare, yet valuable qualities help separate good graduate candidates from great graduate candidates.

"With the help of the University of Otago Careers Centre, Otago students more often than not provide excellent cover letters and well presented CVs that are instrumental to their graduate application success."

WHK Group is one of Australasia's largest accounting and advisory companies, with a local and global network of advisors. They offer a complete range of Business Advisory Services from Traditional Accounting, Tax, Audit, Forensic Accounting, Corporate Advice and Risk Management.

"Our unique offering includes a dedicated Business Growth division that provides leading business training and consulting in all areas of business."

By winning the Business Growth Support category at the Vero Excellence in Business awards in 2005, 2007 and being nominated again in 2008, they are recognised as one of New Zealand's leading providers of business support. 

"As one of the country's largest recruiters of graduates, we are always looking for students with qualities that make them stand out from the crowd. We take many Otago graduates each year because they have those qualities in abundance. There is something about the unique Otago learning environment that produces graduates who have an independence, flexibility and maturity that fits right in with our professional yet friendly work environment."

KPMG provides Audit, Tax and Advisory services to a wide range of clients in 144 countries. In New Zealand, our 750 staff provide services to a diverse range of clients from five office locations. Our success in business is due largely to our people. We are proud of their energy and passion and of our unique professional and friendly culture.

Our work environment is open, friendly, inclusive and supportive. You are not "just another grad" at KPMG - you will be fully supported from day one to develop and grow your skills, talents, experiences and perspectives allowing you to make an impact and reach your full potential.

"Graduates of The University of Otago Business School are academically astute and many Otago students are part of our team. We find they are always well rounded individuals who flourish in our Firm’s professional environment, and enjoy the 'BDO style' of working."

BDO is one of the top five Chartered Accounting and Business Advisory firms in New Zealand, offering business advisory, audit & assurance, taxation, corporate finance, insolvency and information systems services. We are proud to be the leading supplier of chartered accounting and advisory services to mid-market and SME businesses in New Zealand – those businesses at the heart of Kiwi success and growth.

With a national network of fourteen offices and over 600 employees, we've got New Zealand covered from Kerikeri to Invercargill. We are part of the BDO global network which has 1,095 offices in 110 countries and more than 44,000 partners and staff. We are proud to offer our people a comprehensive training network, support with PCE1 and PCE2 and excellent opportunities for growth and development both here and overseas.

"The Otago BCom and post-graduate qualifications provide a balance of academic rigour and practical application that ensures graduates are well prepared to hit the ground running when they start at one of our offices.

We have four Otago graduates working in our Auckland-based Investment Banking team, two of whom joined us this year. Investment Banking involves numerical analysis, problem solving, and presentation skills, therefore we target outgoing candidates with a solid academic track record, strong commercial acumen and a genuine interest in Finance. Otago graduates have consistently demonstrated these qualities."

Craigs Investment Partners (formerly ABN AMRO Craigs) is one of New Zealand's largest independent investment firms, offering bespoke solutions to both private investors and corporate clients. Our core business and expertise centres on investments, therefore we dedicate resource to market research, and have experienced individuals to partner with clients in order to develop highly tailored investment solutions. We are New Zealand's largest NZX Participant Investment Advisory Firm, with 17 branches throughout New Zealand, approximately 110 Investment Advisors and $4.5 billion in funds under management and administration.

"Attending University Careers Fairs and advertising on the University Career Hub play a big part in the successful marketing of our Graduate Programme each year. The Careers Fairs provide us with the opportunity to meet with some very talented students who have a genuine interest for working for a financial institution such as ANZ National."

ANZ National is New Zealand's largest and most diverse financial services group. Through some of New Zealand's best known financial brands ANZ National enjoy remarkable scale, diversity, resources and influence. They also have a global reach as part of ANZ Group, which is among the top 50 banks in the world. In one way or another, ANZ National touches the lives of almost every New Zealander.

ANZ National employ around 10,000 people around New Zealand and offer career opportunities within their different brands or as part of ANZ National's central services, which includes IT, Risk Management and Marketing & Strategy.

"Otago graduates are highly prized by Deloitte and make up a critical part of our graduate recruitment programme. The academic training Otago students receive stands them in excellent stead when applying for graduate opportunities at Deloitte. Otago graduates can be found in all of our five offices in New Zealand and in locations around the world."

Deloitte is one of the 'Big Four' professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in 140 countries and 150,000 professionals, Deloitte brings world class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate.

Deloitte's professionals enjoy an environment of continuous learning, challenging experiences, and enriching career opportunities. They are dedicated to strengthening corporate responsibility, building public trust, and making a positive impact in their communities. With national opportunities available in New Zealand, Deloitte offers a unique opportunity for career minded professionals to join a team providing innovative solutions to clients. Deloitte is keen to engage people with experience at all levels and a passion for problem solving and forward thinking.

"Each year we make sure we are involved with the graduate recruitment programme at Otago. Past experience has shown business graduates are well prepared for the workforce and they quickly learn what it takes for Mainfreight to be a major player in the global logistics sector. We enjoy hiring Otago graduates and they enjoy the benefits Mainfreight can offer them."

Mainfreight operates as a Supply Chain Logistics provider with businesses operating in 166 branches in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the United States. The company was founded in 1978, and has become the pre-eminent supply chain logistics provider in New Zealand and Australia. Operations are now well established in China and the United States of America. It is the company's intention to extend their footprint to be located in all major trading countries.

Mainfreight provides its customers with world class service across a full range of logistics, including managed warehousing, domestic distribution, metro and wharf cartage and international air and sea freight operations, with sophisticated technology providing full supply chain transparency. Mainfreight employs over 3,000 people and has in excess of 20,000 customers worldwide, including 8,000 in New Zealand.

"As demonstrated by our recent graduate and scholarship appointments, we continue to be very impressed by the calibre and financial skills of the students from the Otago School of Business."

Murray & Company is a boutique investment bank. They act as financial advisor and arranger to build and protect value for clients, and can also act as principal to support clients' activities. The company was founded in 2004, and is based in Christchurch with an established domestic and international network of clients, investors, financiers and professional contacts.

Core activities are corporate finance, project finance and principal investment. Within these areas, they focus on capital raising, M&A and strategic/financial advisory services. Their clients are typically companies, institutions, investment funds or wealthy individuals. The company is dedicated to assisting clients achieve their critical objectives through the provision of excellent advice, arrangement and transaction execution.