Rainbow Leads
Our Rainbow Leads are here to support you throughout your time at UC.
We can help with:
- Settling into University
- Wellbeing Support including if your academic studies are being impacted
- Support finding and joining rainbow groups
- Navigating rainbow communities and understanding your rights in Aotearoa
- Supporting you with family, whānau and relationships around rainbow identity
- Name changes
- Support navigating Gender Affirmation
- Rainbow related enquiries, concerns and complaints
No issue or concern is too small or insignificant, so please reach out. If we aren't the right support team, we'll connect with a support service that can help.
You can book an appointment with a Rainbow Lead below or email the shared mailbox with your query (rainbow@canterbury.ac.nz).
Supports and Connection Spaces on Campus
Rainbow Room
James Logie 107 | A quiet social space for rainbow folx at UC to spend time while on campus
Quick Queeries
A drop-in space held fortnightly on Tuesdays from 9am-11am in the Rainbow Room.
Come along to ask us quick questions you might have regarding rainbow identity, community, support and so much more! This is also a great chance to meet the Rainbow Leads in person and book in an appointment with us if you need more support.
Check out our What's On page for more details.
Booked Appointments
You can book a 30 min appointment with Mace or Rose to talk through anything big or small whether you are rainbow person, figuring out your identity, or you want to be a better ally.
Click the 'Book Appointment' button above under Mace or Rose's photos to find out more about them and book an appointment.
Rainbow Cafe
A weekly Student Wellbeing event in the Living Room Space | Mondays 11.30am-12.30pm.
Check out our What's On page for more details.
Counselling
Free counselling services are available to any UC student who has paid the student levy. You can find out more about this service on the UC Health Centre website.
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What's on?
24 June 2026
There are regular rainbow connection spaces at UC and in the wider community. See what's on and come along.
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What's on?
There are regular rainbow connection spaces at UC and in the wider community. See what's on and come along.
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What's on?
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All Gender Facilities
24 June 2026
At UC, you can use the wharepaku and changing room that align with your gender or whichever you feel most comfortable in.
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All Gender Facilities
At UC, you can use the wharepaku and changing room that align with your gender or whichever you feel most comfortable in.
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All Gender Facilities
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Name changes at UC
24 June 2026
It’s important to us that our kaimahi (staff) get your name and pronouns right.
By following these steps, you can change these details whenever you need to.
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Name changes at UC
It’s important to us that our kaimahi (staff) get your name and pronouns right.
By following these steps, you can change these details whenever you need to.
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Name changes at UC
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Gender Affirming Health Care
24 June 2026
Check out the information below about how to access gender affiirming health care in Waitaha | Canterbury.
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Gender Affirming Health Care
Check out the information below about how to access gender affiirming health care in Waitaha | Canterbury.
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Gender Affirming Health Care
Out in the Community
Support services
Groups and Events
Ōtautahi Christchurch Pride
Ōtautahi Christchurch Pride hosts the annual Ōtautahi pride festival in March. Throughout the year they also support and highlight a number of rainbow community events happening around our city. If you are wanting to get involved in rainbow community event or aren't sure where to start, contacting the folks at pride is a great first step!
Email: contact@chchpride.co.nz | Instagram: @chchpride | Website: Chch Pride – All things LGBTQIA+ in Otautahi!
LGBTQ+ Book Club
This is a book club for people interested in LGBTQ+ stories to share, discover, and discuss their favorite titles and authors.
Bring along a book you're excited to talk about - a library book, your own copy, an eBook, Audiobook, or just as a fond memory.
This club is held in two different locations: Tūranga (city) on the second Monday of the month at 6pm & Aranui on the last Saturday of the month at 2:30pm.
Free, no bookings required.
Website: Events | Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi | BiblioCommons | Search for 'LGBTQ+ Book Club' for locations and times
Information for Whānau
Our Rainbow Leads are here to support students during their time at UC.
If you are wondering how to best support your rainbow whānau, check out the links below.
