UC currently offers 2,800 beds in both self-catered and catered options from first year through to postgraduate level. Our new development, due for completion in 2026, will increase our offering to first year students.
Tupuārangi
Construction has begun on a new student hall of residence, Tupuārangi , to further support our growing student population at UC. This brand-new purpose-built facility will provide catered accommodation to 283 students, featuring single ensuite rooms, study spaces, and shared lounges, all designed to enable the transition to independence while promoting socialisation, friendship, safety and well-being. Students can request to be co-located with other Māori or Pacific students.
Tupuārangi has been gifted its name by the local iwi Ngāi Tūāhuriri. The building will be located next to Tupuānuku on the border of the Ilam heritage garden. The design will bring the gardens into the building to provide a safe, peaceful retreat that supports the health and wellbeing of students. It will also have a cultural narrative embedded into the design features of the building, creating design that celebrates the weaving together of the Ngāi Tūāhuriri aesthetic and local stories.
Tupuārangi is one of the nine stars associated with Matariki. Tupuārangi (Atlas) has a connection to food and growth. ‘Tupu’ or ‘tipu’ means ‘to grow’ and rangi is taken from Rangi – the Sky, representing sustenance received from the upper canopies of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native forests providing both nourishment and resources for growth.
Further considerations of the design include optimising the structure with a highly efficient spatial configuration, minimising construction-related impacts on the operation of the student living precinct at Homestead Lane, and enabling a fast-track construction methodology, ensuring the project opens in time for Semester 1, 2026.
For further information contact:
Tupuārangi
E: tupuarangi@unilodge.co.nz
Progress on new student accommodation facility celebrated - 14 March 2025
Statement of intent
"Live the UniLodge Life."
UniLodge has been providing pastoral care for students for over 20 years and our Residential Life Programme aims to foster inclusive communities through a diverse range of events and initiatives to support residents to achieve academic success.
We understand that university is a transformative time in a student’s life, and we build our program around this to inspire development, build lifelong friendships, and support students through any challenges they may encounter.
All of our staff receive training and resources to be able to assist students to access the right support for them, ranging from helping residents adapt to living away from home, accessing financial support, or helping them find a counsellor to talk things through.
UniLodge has strong industry partnerships with universities and other institutions to help students navigate their options, as well as inform them of community-based resources.
Each resident is a unique individual and can expect from UniLodge, an environment that has clear, reasonable and effective practices, and that aligns with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of Domestic Tertiary and International Learners.
