Studying in Auckland?
Our staff can help you find the right accommodation. You can use our 24 hour Helpline – 0800 111 212 – for any accommodation problems or questions.
Homestay
Otago Polytechnic can arrange homestay accommodation for you. At a homestay, you live with in a New Zealand family in their home. You will have your own bedroom with a single bed, desk and wardrobe. If you prefer, you can request to share a room with another homestay student. The weekly cost of homestay includes breakfast and dinner and is NZD $220 per week for a single room. If you would like to include lunches it will cost NZD $240 per week. Some homestay hosts provide you with internet, otherwise you can pay for a wireless connection to be set up at the home.
The homestay services are assessed and monitored by Future Skills, on behalf of Otago Polytechnic. Please contact us if you would like any information or assistance arranging homestay accommodation.
Apartment and house rentals
One bedroom apartments may cost from NZD $180 per week. Many apartments have furniture. To keep costs down, students will often share an apartment or house, which is also known as ‘flatting’, and a three-bedroom house or apartment may be available from NZD $400 a week. Electricity and gas are not usually included in the rent and you may need to buy furniture.
If you decide to live in an apartment or house, you should allow at least NZD $150 a week for food, electricity and basic living costs. This does not include other personal expenses such as mobile phone or entertainment.
To find an apartment or house to rent, or accommodation to share, search online - ‘Auckland to rent’.
Hostels
Student hostel accommodation usually costs from NZD $150 a week for a shared room, and the price includes electricity and cleaning. Some hostels can provide you with cooked meals, and others provide shared kitchen facilities where you can cook your own. There are a number of hostels in Auckland including student hostels, the YMCA, the YHA and tourist hostels. Students organise their own hostel accommodation.
To find out more about the YMCA accommodation, see www.ymcaauckland.org.nz