Accommodation Options
Student Accommodation
Whilst studying in New Zealand you will need somewhere to live. Many students live on campus in Halls of Residence, while others opt for a homestay with a local family, or live with friends (or strangers) in a rented 'flat' (apartment/house). Here is some information on options for student accommodation in New Zealand.
There are several options for student accommodation in New Zealand. Your place of study may be able to assist you in finding accommodation when you apply to study.
Halls of Residence
Most tertiary institutions, and some private secondary schools, in New Zealand have Halls of Residence.
Halls of Residence are generally located a short walk from campus.
Rooms are single or twin-share, with communal laundry, lounge room and dining hall. Meals are usually provided, and all dietary needs can be catered for.
A warden lives on site, and organised sporting and recreational activities are common.
Halls of Residence are great for students who wish to meet new people and live in a secure, safe environment.
Average cost: Around NZ$200 - $350 per week.
Homestay/Private Board
Homestay means you live with a New Zealand family in their home – usually with a room of your own. Your Homestay family provides your meals and helps you with day-to-day life in New Zealand.
Homestay accommodation is an excellent way to meet New Zealanders, and interact with people in English.
As a guest in your host family’s home you are expected to contribute to normal family life, a great way to experience Kiwi culture.
Average cost: Around NZ$180 per week.
Flatting/Independent Accommodation
"Going Flatting" is the New Zealand term for renting an apartment or house (flat).
Flatting gives you the flexibility to live with as many people as you like – males or females.
Flats range from one bedroom apartments to 4 or 5 bedroom homes.
Rental accommodation is generally clustered around colleges or universities, but flats can be found in most city suburbs.
Many rental properties in New Zealand come with a garden, and have car-parking.
An oven is provided and sometimes other larger appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. Most New Zealand houses are stand-alone, and do not have central heating. Your landlord does not have to supply heat, so you pay for gas/electricity between you and your flatmates.
Usually a "bond" (2 – 4 weeks rent) is paid to your landlord. This is returned to you when you move out – providing the house has not been damaged in any way.
For advice on rental properties in New Zealand contact the Department of Business, Innovation & Employment.
Average Cost: $70- $150 rent per week, plus expenses (food, electricity, phone, water etc)
Accommodation for NZ Universities:
The applications for accommodation in 2018 open on 1 August. You need to apply for accommodation to each of the universities you intend on applying to. If you have applied for The University of Auckland Scholarship, then you must also apply for accommodation. The closing date to be considered for first round offers to accommodation is September 30th.
Common Confidential Reference Form:
The CCRF is a generic online form available for students to complete and it applies to all New Zealand Universities. You need to complete this form to generate a reference request from the school. Your application for accommodation will be incomplete unless this is done. You can access the online form here: https://ccrf.dotnous.com/students/
Shown below in geographical order are the links to universities in New Zealand along with some helpful guidelines for each university regarding accommodation, FAQ's, costs, and information in general. Click on the university logos to be taken directly to the accommodation homepage for each institution.
THE UNIVERSITY of AUCKLAND:
They have a good Guide to their Halls of Residence. There is also information on their flats/apartments.
Fees for both the colleges and apartments, and How to Apply are covered along with a handy Guide to Living in Auckland.
AUT UNIVERSITY:
Accommodation fees and some FAQ's for your information, along with A Range of Information for students who are thinking of studying at AUT.
They also have a link about residential life at AUT.
They have also provided a link for Tips When Applying.
MASSEY UNIVERSITY:
Massey has information on Halls of Residence in Manawatu, Albany and Wellington.
Accommodation fees and FAQ's are also covered - along with many other things of course.
WAIKATO UNIVERSITY:
Halls of Residence Overview and there is also a link to Accommodation options.
Accommodation fees and FAQ's for your information. Flatting & Renting or if you prefer to live on-campus here are reasons why students prefer to do just that.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON:
For information about the Halls of Residence you will find most of the information you require in their latest Accommodation E-Guide. Homestay and units/apartments are covered under their Private Accommodation site. Although most people from Wellington will not need this information, some who live in the area still prefer to 'live in' so they feel the entire student experience at university.
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY:
Halls of Residence and Village Accommodation:
They also have an online booklet which is a guide for Accommodation.
Private Accommodation, also covers Homestay/Private board, and Temporary accommodation.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY:
The Halls of Residence for Lincoln university are covered in their book called The Lincoln Experience. Renting is another choice, along with Homestay.
Comprehensive PDF files are also available for Accommodation Fees. Lincoln have no cut-off-date for applying to study. They take applications right up until the first Friday of the first week of the first Semester.
If you plan to apply online you will need to make a MyLinc account.
UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO:
Halls of Residence. An overview of the residential colleges.
FAQ's about the Application Process for Accommodation. General Wait list FAQs. What about a general idea of the cost of flatting in Dunedin?
Another video to look at is A Flock of Students which is a documentary capturing footage of young university students who have migrated to Dunedin to attend Otago Uni. It covers nesting, university pie-eating contents and social gatherings