From out of town but still want to come and study with us? Make Ōtautahi House the place you call home.
Just a two minute walk away from our main campus you'll find Ara's student accommodation. Situated in the heart of Christchurch, Ōtautahi House is a flat-style accommodation for our out of town students. Christchurch based students can still apply, but preference is given to those who come from our of town to study. There are 36 secure, warm and sunny apartments that can house up to 192 students. Located close by is the city centre with plenty of shopping and food options, the bus exchange with connections to all over the city, and just down the road there is a supermarket and pharmacy.
All apartments have either 5 or 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an open plan dining, kitchen and lounge area and a patio or balcony. There are 2 ground floor flats which are wheelchair friendly, making Ōtautahi House as accessible as possible.
Students get a private bedroom furnished with a king single bed - including under bed drawers for extra storage, a desk with chair, a pin board and a wardrobe with mirror. The kitchens all have a fridge/freezer, microwave, toaster, electric jug and stove, and the living/dining space is furnished with couches, dining suite and a tv. Bathroom amenities consist of two showers, two vanity units and two toilets. For laundry there are coin operated washers and driers on the 2nd and 3rd floors of blocks A & B, that can be used by all residents.
As these are apartment style rooms, students cook their own meals, allowing personal flexibility, and many come together for flat meals to save money, time, and as a great chance to catch up with flatmates.
Throughout the year you can join in on social events such as barbecues, pizza nights, a ball, and more. There is a grassy courtyard in the middle of the apartments where residents can often be found playing games, relaxing in the sun and enjoying a meal, especially in the summer months. Secure parking is available, allocated via ballot. Secure bike sheds are also in the carpark area, and the entire premise is well fenced, with access via gates that open with swipe cards. This means only residents and relevant staff can access the facilities, which is great for security and peace of mind.
Pastoral care is a focus of Ōtautahi house, student advisors are available for support, plus a residential assistant (2nd, 3rd or 4th year Ara students) lives in every block.
A breakdown of the costs of living are as follows:
- Bond - 2 weeks rent (refundable)
- Activities fee - $205.00 (non-refundable)
- Administration fee - $250.00
- Residential fee: $10,080* (equivalent to $210 per week. 48 week contract) Includes power and wi-fi.
- Food: N/A (Self catering &/or shared costs with flatmates)
- Car parking (limited parking available) - $22.50 per week (a ballot will be held to allocate limited parking spaces)
*Different payment options are available when it comes to rent, students can choose a lump sum payment, fortnightly or weekly.
More information including rules and regulations can be found here!