Choosing which university to attend is more than just a good academic decision. As a student at one of New Zealand’s top university cities, you’ll have access to a wide range of social and cultural programmes that can shape your life in ways far beyond your chosen career path.
Outside of being great places to study, New Zealand’s universities are rich in opportunities for students to make friends, explore new passions, join cultural and community groups, and, of course, have a lot of fun while studying.
Each university is unique and offers students a particular vibe. Here’s what to expect from student life at New Zealand’s top university cities, from student culture and accommodation options to student hotspots and nightlife favourites.
For a lot of people, when they think of student life, they think of Otago University.
It’s New Zealand’s oldest university and one of only two medical schools in the country. The institution has earned itself a reputation for being a place where studying hard and partying hard often go hand in hand.
Otago University is situated in North Dunedin – just a ten-minute walk from Dunedin’s central city. This proximity makes the University and student life feel like the beating heart of the city.
One of the best ways to get involved in student life is to get exploring during O-Week (the first week of the academic year). During O-Week, you can attend a wide range of events, mixers, and social events put on by the University and the Uni’s student clubs.
We can’t mention student life at Otago without mentioning street parties. Castle Street is one of the most famed streets in Dunedin for throwing ragers during O-Week (and let’s face it, other times of the year). Block parties are popular during O-Week and are a great way to let off some steam before settling into a studying routine.
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First-year students: Residential colleges (also called university halls) are the most popular options for first-year students. They’re a great way to make friends and gain independence while easing you into student life. Otago University has 14 residential colleges to choose from.
Second-year students: North Dunedin is the most obvious choice if you’re looking for somewhere to flat close to uni. Castle Street is the most famous street and is known for parties (but can be loud).
Popular suburbs and streets: Albany Street, Clyde Street, and Cumberland are all centrally located arteries. The North East Valley and The Gardens are good options for quieter suburbs while still being within walking distance to the university.
As the University of Otago and the student area of North Dunedin are so interconnected, the most popular way to get around is simply to walk!
The vast majority of students don’t have a car, but on-street parking is available on most suburban streets. Plus, buses connect the city, coast, and outer city suburbs.
North Dunedin: This is where most students spend their time and is the epicentre of student life. Includes the University of Otago campus, most flats, and all university accommodation.
OUSA Clubs and Socs Building: OUSA is the Otago University Student Association and is a great place to go if you need advice or assistance. They also put on a lot of events. If you want to know what’s happening around campus, OUSA is the place to go.
The Octagon and City Centre: The Octagon and central city are just a hop and a skip away. You’ll find most of Dunedin’s best cafes, bars, and nightlife options around this area.
Dunedin Botanic Garden: Close to the central city, the Botanics are an ideal spot for relaxing outdoors between lectures or hanging out with new friends on sunny days.
St. Clair Beach: A bit of a drive away, St Clair is a popular location for surfing, walking the boardwalk, or watching the waves from one of its many cafes.
Nightlife in Dunedin is split between parties at student flats and going out to clubs in town. North Dunedin is located just ten minutes walk from The Octagon (a series of streets laid out in an octagon) and the location of a good portion of the city’s restaurants and bars.
Check out Catacombes, Pequeno, Graze & Glow, and Woof, which are all close to the Octagon.
Situated in the unassuming suburb of Ilam (pronounced eye-lam), Canterbury University’s student life may be a bit less visible than Otago's, but it’s no less vibrant.
Canterbury University is known for putting a heavy emphasis on clubs and offers a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year.
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The University of Canterbury (UC) is situated on a spacious, green campus quite separate from Christchurch’s central city. You’ll find most student events take place around campus, including most of O-week’s activities.
The renowned UCSA Tea Party is a great way to meet people and get involved in student life.
Much of UC’s student culture stems from student clubs. The University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) runs over 150 clubs and societies ranging from sports and academic groups to cultural and hobby communities. Regular events include club socials, concerts, and barbeques.
First-year students: UC offers several halls of residence on or near the Ilam campus that combine social events, pastoral support, and academic help within a close-knit community. UC has 11 residential university halls to choose from.
Second-year students: Many students choose to flat near campus from their second year on. Popular suburbs for flatting close to campus include:
Ilam
Upper Riccarton
Avonhead
Older students: UC also manages Campus Houses – university-owned homes near the campus suitable for second-year students and beyond, offering more independent living while staying close.
The UC campus and many elements of student life are highly walkable. In fact, the Ilam campus is one of the most compact university campuses in New Zealand.
But if you want to go further afield, the distance between UC and the central city does require other modes of transport.
Ilam is connected to the city by bike lanes, and the flat terrain makes biking a great option. Public buses are also available throughout the city.
Get a MetroCard and enjoy discounted Youth rates for 19-24 year olds.
Campus and surrounds: UC’s Ilam campus acts as the heart of student life. It’s lush and green, with plenty of spaces to hang out, study, or relax between classes. It’s close to local cafes, eateries, and essential services, and is just a short ride from the central city.
Christchurch City Centre: Christchurch’s city centre has gone through a rapid post-earthquake rebuild. You’ll find a wide range of cafes, bars, restaurants, farmers' markets, events, and cultural spaces.
Nature and outdoors: One of the biggest perks of studying at UC is access to the South Island’s natural playground. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, surfing, and beach trips are all regular weekend adventures for many students.
UCSA events and club socials are frequent and often free or low-cost. The city centre offers bars, pubs, and live music that are popular with students (and accessible by bus or bike).
The Foundry is the main student bar, with many students heading into the central city for nights out on the weekend.
Like Otago University, Wellington is considered an integral part of the student experience while at the University of Victoria. Although the uni and many student flats are located in Kelburn overlooking the city, the uni is just a short bus ride or a 15-minute walk from the city.
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The city itself is known for its vibrant arts, culture, and food scene, with festivals, markets, and live music. There’s a strong creative identity woven naturally into student life. During O-week, there are just as many events at central city bars as there are on campus.
Wellington also regularly hosts major events like CubaDupa street festival and Newtown festival, giving students plenty of ways to blend student and city life in the capital.
Student culture at Vic Uni balances academic work with clubs, events, and city life. You’ll find opportunities to connect, whether you prefer social sports, creative communities, volunteering, or leadership programmes.
There’s also a strong emphasis on wellbeing and community support, including student-led spaces like The Bubble for social catch-ups and free activities, plus dedicated support for international students, Māori, Pasifika, rainbow communities, and more.
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First-year students: Victoria University offers several halls of residence situated in Kelburn and the central city, with 12 residential halls and university flats to choose from.
Second-year students: Many students choose to flat in Kelburn or close to the city from their second year on. Popular affordable suburbs for flatting include:
Mt Cook
Te Aro
Aro Valley
It’s worth mentioning that Kelburn is up quite a steep hill, so investing in a Snapper card is a good idea. Wellington’s public bus system is reliable and affordable. Buses run on a regular schedule from Kelburn to the city.
The university: You’ll find most of student life takes place on campus, from libraries to student hangout spots, cafes, and sports facilities.
Cuba Street: Wellington’s centrally located pedestrian hub, which has everything from cafes and restaurants to thrift stores and arty boutiques.
Wellington Central Library | Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui: Set to reopen in March 2026, Te Matapiki Ki Te Ao Nui was Wellington’s biggest library. After extensive earthquake proofing, it’s all set to open and once again will act as a great hub for researching, studying, or relaxing.
Courtenay Place: Here you’ll find a strip of bars that cater to students with affordable drink specials, student events during O-week and themed nights throughout the year. Check out The Residents, Saint Diablo, Shady Lady, Vinyl, Lu Lu, and Dakota.
Cuba Street area: You’ll find great places for a cocktail, like The Ram, Dee’s Place or head to Rogue and Vagabond for some mid-afternoon beers.
The University of Waikato is based in Hamilton, a mid-sized North Island city that is known for its relaxing vibe, the mighty Waikato River, and its beautiful gardens.
If that all sounds a little too zen, don't worry. The University of Waikato has a thriving student life that still allows space for you to breathe.
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Campus has a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. It’s big enough to feel like a proper university, but not so huge that you disappear in a crowd. The Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) runs O-Week and regular events, so there’s usually something happening if you want to get involved.
There are 40+ clubs covering sports, culture, gaming, arts, outdoor adventures, and more. It’s pretty easy to find your people, especially in your first year when everyone’s keen to make new friends.
First Year: Most first-year students choose to live in halls on campus. Options like Bryant Hall, College Hall, and Student Village are catered, which means meals are sorted for you, or you can opt for self-catered halls instead.
Beyond First Year: After first year, lots of students move into flats near campus or around Hamilton in suburbs like Hillcrest or Hamilton East.
Waikato’s campus is super walkable. You can easily get between lectures, cafés, and study spots without needing a car.
Hamilton has buses (most students use a Bee Card for cheaper fares), and cycling is popular too. You don’t need a car for everyday uni life, though it’s handy for weekend trips.
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The Campus: Campus itself is actually one of the highlights. There’s a lake, green spaces, and plenty of spots to sit outside between classes. The Pā is the newer student hub and a bit of a social anchor point on campus.
Hamilton city centre: The city is about a 10-minute drive from campus. You’ll find cafés, bars, live music, and riverside walks along the Waikato River
Outdoor access: Beaches, hikes, and even day trips to places like Raglan are easy weekend options.
Student nights are a mix of flat parties, hall events, themed nights, and heading into town with a group.
The main student go-to is The Outback Inn – a long-standing favourite known for cheap drinks, themed nights, and a proper student vibe.
The University of Auckland sits right in the middle of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. That means your campus life blends straight into city life. Rather than being tucked away in a student bubble, you’re in the centre of it all.
Student life here isn’t centred around one street or one student suburb. Instead, it’s spread out, with people commuting from all over Auckland. That makes it feel more grown-up, but it also means you need to be a bit proactive about making connections.
That’s where the Auckland University Students' Association (AUSA) comes in. They run O-Week events, club expos, gigs, markets, and advocacy services. There are 200+ clubs, from cultural groups to investment societies to tramping clubs, so you’re sure to find your niche if you look for it.
First Year: Many first-years live in halls close to campus. Options like Waipārūrū Hall (one of the largest in the country) and University Hall Towers are catered and right near lectures.
Beyond First Year: After first year, most students move into flats or apartments. Popular student areas include:
Grafton (walkable to campus)
Parnell (a little quieter)
Mount Eden (classic student spot)
CBD (if you’re okay with apartment living)
It’s worth noting that rent is higher than in most other NZ cities. That’s just the reality of living in Auckland, but you’re also paying for location and access.
You absolutely don’t need a car if you’re living centrally. Buses, trains, and ferries connect most of the city to the outer suburbs and the North Shore.
Most students use an AT HOP card for discounted fares. If you’re in the CBD or nearby suburbs, you’ll mostly walk.
Being in Auckland means your student hot spots aren’t just campus-based. You’re minutes from:
Queen Street (shopping, cafes, food, big chain stores)
Commercial Bay (waterfront dining and views)
Viaduct Harbour (sunset drinks territory)
Ponsonby Road (cool bars, boutiques, brunch)
K road (thrifting, op shops, trendy cafes, brunch spots, and dive bars)
There are uni-hosted gigs, cultural nights, club formals, and big O-Week events that kick the year off properly.
During the year, students head to Fort Street and Viaduct Harbour for club nights, as well as Shadow and Vesbar (the on-campus bars), Bar 101, or Provedor.
Deciding which student city to move to in New Zealand is the hard part. But once you’ve found the one that ticks all your boxes, moving there is easy with Wise Move.
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