Rate My Professor Nat Christensen

Nathaniel Christensen, known as Nat Christensen, serves as the Senior Strategy and Policy Adviser within the External Engagement Division at the University of Otago. He is a graduate of the University of Otago, holding both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Geography, the latter completed between 2015 and 2016 with the support of a Master of Arts Research Scholarship. Initially exploring various subjects in his first year of the BA, he developed a keen interest in human geography at Otago. During his studies, he also worked at the Otago Museum. Prior to university, at John McGlashan College, Christensen was joint dux in 2010, received academic blues, represented New Zealand at the International Geography Olympiad in Taipei where he won a silver medal, and helped secure the best school award in the 48 Hour Film Competition.

Transitioning from academia to public policy, Christensen joined a graduate programme for policy advisors in central government, which led to his role as a Policy Adviser at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). He progressed to Senior Policy Adviser, where he delivered labour-market policy advice to ministers overseeing employment, immigration, workplace relations, and safety. His work included providing critical insights during the Covid-19 pandemic on impacts to the labour market, skills, and employment—a period he described as particularly challenging yet rewarding. Christensen has contributed to broader initiatives, such as serving on the Safer Journeys for People Who Cycle safety panel.

Christensen frequently praises his Geography training at Otago: “Geography at Otago was even more enjoyable than doing it at school, especially the human geography side of the department, which was my real interest.” He emphasizes that “The public service looks for diversity of backgrounds and Geography is the perfect degree for that,” and notes a vital skill acquired: “You need the ability to distill complex ideas into something you can pass on to others easily, which is one of the key skills Otago teaches you.”