Tupuānuku
Frequently Asked Questions

All applications are through the UC Website.

Answers to most of your questions can be found here.

Please view our Vision, Mission and Values click here.

Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm.

Yes, by prior arrangement - please call our after hours on-site staff on 0508 864 425 or send us an email.

Please ensure that you have emailed us at least one business day before your arrival so that we can prepare in advance. Once you have arrived, please call the on-duty phone number advertised on the exterior door of the front entrance.

UniLodge aims to resolve resident complaints in a transparent and fair manner. With respect to our privacy policy UniLodge will disclose to the complainant any requested information or documentation required to fully address the complaint.

Our objective in providing a complaints process is to allow our residents to air their grievances in a constructive manner with a focus on reaching a mutually acceptable solution. Where a mutually acceptable solution cannot be reached, UniLodge may refer to the resident handbook or to your Occupancy Agreement in response to your grievance.

UniLodge aims to reach resolution of the complaint in a reasonable time frame, with a focus on minimising any ongoing impact to the resident engaging in the complaints process.

• Step 1: Contact a member of the UniLodge team. Explain your grievance and your desired outcome.
  • Staff will respond to your complaint within five business days and may request to meet with the complainant as part of reaching a solution.
  • (Not resolved?)
• Step 2: Contact the General Manager Portfolio via email and submit the details of your complaint in writing. The General Manager Portfolio will request a meeting to discuss the matter further.
  • (Not resolved?)
  • It is important to remember that you have signed an Occupancy Agreement. An Occupancy Agreement differs from a Tenancy Agreement quite significantly.
• Step 3: Should you be unhappy with the outcome from your complaint you can escalate it to the UCSA, or the University Grievance Coordinator to discuss your concerns and your options (phone number 03 369 0292).
• Step 4: Should your concerns not be resolved by these internal grievance procedures; you can then pursue an external complaint through Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | NZQA. You can submit your complaint query on the NZQA website or send an email to risk@nzqa.govt.nz. If you need more information, contact NZQA on 0800 697 296.

The edge of campus is a 3-5min walk. The center of campus is approximately a 10min walk.

There are bus stops located on each end of Homestead Lane no further than a 3min walk.

No – Pets are not permitted to live in the hall.

Smoking and Vaping are not permitted on UniLodge or University property as we are a smoke free campus.

Tupuānuku has 506 rooms.

No – we have no curfew but do enforce quiet hours around the hall 10pm-7am.

Yes – All bedrooms automatically lock when closed, only accessible with your UC ID card. Every resident is given access to the building and their individual room.

Tupuānuku can only be accessed through the singular main entrance. Swipe access is required to enter the hall past reception. UC Security complete patrols throughout the night and there are hourly patrols by our own night team.

Yes – talk to your personal insurance provider.

Yes – The hall is co-ed and we do not provide single sex areas of the hall.

We have onsite night staff available every day of the week.

As well as 24/7 staff contactable via our 0508 number.

Kiripaepae | Customer service co-ordinators are available throughout the day.

Residential Life staff are available in the afternoon – evening.

Kaitātai | Property Manager is available via appointment.

Tupuānuku has single occupant rooms available only.

The hall is only available under a catered contract so residents cannot be fully self-catered.

However, all residents have access to a spacious kitchen on the ground floor, where they can cook additional food for themselves.

Every floor has 3 kitchenettes equipped with fridges, freezers, microwaves and hot water.

We have a large variety of games available including pool, air hockey, table tennis, foosball and during permitted hours residents can use a volleyball in our central court. We also have a large range of board games and cards.

We also have a Media Room available for residents to use the projector, a music room with a variety of instruments and a wellbeing zone for meditation purposes.

Our housekeeping team cleans common areas daily. Bedrooms are vacuumed once weekly and ensuites cleaned fortnightly. Bedroom rubbish is each resident's responsibility.

Each room has a king single bed. We can provide 2 x sheets that you can swap for clean ones at reception. Resident must supply all other bedding.

Yes, but the admin fee of $300 is non-refundable.

Power, food, wi-fi (UC Residents only) and furniture (bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, mirror.

All bathrooms are single cells with full floor to ceiling doors. All bathrooms are uni-sex.

Daytime visitors are welcome between 8am-10pm. Residents are responsible for the actions of their visitors.

Overnight guests must be signed in. Guests are not permitted any alcohol or consumption on the premises. Overnight Guests must be 18years or older. Overnight guests can only stay for 2 nights in a 7-day period, we do not provide bedding or catering for guests. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests.

No – the hall is fully equipped. The only appliances permitted are personal devices, e.g. laptop, hair dryers etc.

There are individually controlled wall heaters in each bedroom.

Each resident is required to set up a direct debit payment with us. Upon request larger payments can be made.

No - Tupuānuku does not have any resident car parking.

We have a bicycle storage room available with a limited number of spaces. This is on a first-in-first-served basis. We also have outdoor bicycle storage available. We recommend that you bring your own secure lock.

The hall is a mix of standard bedrooms and ensuite bedrooms. Ensuite bedroom priority is given to those with medical needs.

The hall is equipped with free washers and dryers that can be used at all times of the day. Residents must provide their own detergent.

20 Meals provided a week: 6 x Breakfasts, 6 x Lunches, 7 x dinners, 1 x Brunch (Sundays).

Let our team know of any dietaries requirements so these can be catered for. We can also arrange late meals if you have sports training, work etc.

Academic facilitators are available for all main subjects and other subjects upon request. Academic-based events are held as part of the residential life program.

Maintenance can be reported through the UniLodge portal.

$400 contingency fee (bond), $300 admin fee, $300 residential life fee (covers events and academic programs).

Unilodge has resources available for all residents here.

Our postal address is:  3 Homestead Lane, Ilam, Christchurch 8041.

Please put down your full name on the mail/ parcel.  We process mail and parcels daily.  Once processed the resident will receive an email stating their mail has arrived.

For absences over 48 hours please fill in our going away form on our portal.