Moving in
Find out about the process for moving into your new home in a student hall and what to expect on your first day.
Your new hall of residence will send you detailed information about moving in around three weeks before the big day. This will confirm the date, how to get there and what to do when you arrive.
You’ll arrive at your hall, flat or apartment on the Sunday morning before Orientation week—see our key dates for your move in day.
Before you arrive, you’ll need to book a check-in time, so everyone isn’t trying to move in at once.
You are welcome to bring family to help you move in, but we ask that they leave the hall by 4 pm so you can settle in.
International student arrivals
If you are an international student, make sure you book the arrival meeting service and someone from our welcoming team will meet you at the airport, train station or ferry and take you to your accommodation. If you are arriving before your move in date, you’ll need to book temporary accommodation.
Arriving at the hall
When you get to your hall, you’ll check in at reception or designated check-in location using your QR code in the accommodation portal, and be given your room key and swipe card. Then you’ll meet your residential adviser, an older student, who will show you to your room.
You’ll have time to unpack and move into your new living space. Your room will already have the furniture you’ll need, but you need to bring all your bedding and a lamp, as well as all your personal items. See our recommended list below.
See the lists below to find out what’s in your room, what you should bring and what you can’t bring.
Your room in a first-year catered hall
Room furniture supplied
You room has a:
- bookshelf
- mattress protector
- mirror
- noticeboard
- rubbish bin
- single or king-single bed and mattress
- storage unit
- study desk and chair
- wardrobe.
Things to bring
Essential items:
- bedding including sheets, pillow, duvet, and blankets
- towels
- desk lamp.
Recommended items:
- Blu-Tack
- cleaning products
- coat hangers
- computer
- emergency kit containing batteries, canned and non-perishable food, a foil blanket, a portable power bank, a torch, reusable face masks or a supply of disposable masks, and water
- headphones
- laundry basket and washing powder
- small first aid kit
- toiletries
- bathmats
- wellness kit with basic cold and flu medication and any other regular medication.
If you want to decorate your room or bring additional storage, we recommend you move into your room first so you can see the layout and dimensions before buying new items.
Items you can't bring
These items are not permitted and may be confiscated due to the risk of fire, fire alarm activation, damage, or impact on other students:
- air fryers, microwaves, or rice cookers
- bar heaters
- candles
- faulty electrical appliances or appliances that do not have a current electrical test tag
- firearms or weapons (including replicas)
- food processors, speakers, or sound systems
- fridges
- incense
- oil burners
- popcorn makers
- steam diffusers
- toasted sandwich makers, toasters, or waffle makers
- 3D printers.
Pets or animals, including fish, are also prohibited.
Your room in a flat or independent hall
Room furniture supplied
Your room has a:
- bookshelf
- mattress protector
- mirror
- noticeboard
- single or king-single bed and mattress (Everton Hall double rooms have a queen-sized bed and mattress)
- study desk and chair
- wardrobe.
Things to bring
Essential items:
- bedding including sheets, pillow, duvet, and blankets
- towels
- desk lamp.
Recommended items:
- Blu-Tack
- cleaning products
- coat hangers
- computer
- emergency kit containing batteries, canned and non-perishable food, a foil blanket, a portable power, bank, a torch, reusable face masks or a supply of disposable masks, and water
- headphones
- laundry basket and washing powder
- small first aid kit
- toiletries
- bathmats.
If you want to decorate your room or bring additional storage, we recommend you move into your room first so you can see the layout and dimensions before buying new items.
Items you can't bring
These items are not permitted and may be confiscated due to the risk of fire, fire alarm activation, damage, and impact on other students:
- bar heaters
- candles
- faulty electrical appliances and appliances that do not
- have a current electrical test tag
- firearms and weapons (including replicas)
- food processors, speakers, or sound systems
- fridges in bedrooms
- incense
- oil burners
- steam diffusers
- 3D printers.
The first day
Once you’ve moved in, you’ll have an opportunity to meet some of your new neighbours and familiarise yourself with the hall. You’ll need to sort your own lunch on day one as the first meal served (if you are in a catered hall) will be at dinner.
In the afternoon, there will be a hall welcome for all new residents and you’ll be introduced to other staff including the head and deputy heads of hall, the night manager and the residential staff. You may also have a meeting with your RA and other students living on your floor.
Keep the evening free for other activities organised by your new hall.
You need to complete and return an online room inspection form within 48 hours of your arrival. Staff will give you more information on this. Make sure you note any defects and missing items otherwise you will be held responsible for the cost of replacements or repairs.
Arriving early
For first-year hall residents, it won’t be possible to move into your hall early so you’ll need to make arrangements to stay with someone you know in the area or book private temporary accommodation.
If you are moving into a flat or apartment, you may be able to move into your room early, but you must arrange this with your hall in advance. If your room is available, you’ll pay one-seventh of the weekly rate each night.
Contact us for more information.
Arriving late
If you arrive late, you’ll still pay for your room from the date your contract starts. If you are replacing someone who is moving out, you’ll pay from the day you agreed to move in.
Insurance
You should insure:
- your belongings with contents insurance
- yourself against the risk of being held liable for intentional or careless damage to hall property with personal liability insurance.
Hall rules and expectations
When you accept your place in a hall, you are agreeing to a legally binding contract which includes following the hall rules and expectations. Make sure you are familiar with these—you’ll find them in the Student Hall Handbook (PDF).
Living in a hall, you’ll need to show consideration towards other residents and neighbours, and their property, and participate in the communal life of your hall. Keep your room or flat reasonably clean and tidy and let hall staff know of any maintenance issues or repairs needed.
Vaccinations
While the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is no longer in place, it’s strongly advised you maintain your current recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.
Visit the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
We also recommend all students are fully immunised against Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Meningococcal ACWY and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and chicken pox (Varicella). Read more about immunisation while at university.