Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Otago University on Wednesday.
Before Dr Cullen was elected as a Labour MP in 1981, he was a senior history lecturer at the university.
University Vice Chancellor, Professor David Skegg, says the honorary degree recognises Dr Cullen's contributions as an academic and as a respected and influential politician.
He says Dr Cullen has played a pivotal role in the nation's political and economic affairs.
