Christchurch students struggle to find flats

Second year Ara nursing student Lucy Morrison is among many who have struggled to find a flat.

“We wanted to find a nice flat, and then when we started looking we realised how fast we were actually coming into moving out of our flat, so that was quite stressful”.

Being a busy nursing student, Lucy found it tricky arranging flat viewings around her study.

I would say when we were really really stressed we would go to around 5 a week, but then not all of us could make the time so that kind of made it hard”.

Ara students aren’t the only ones feeling the housing heat, University of Canterbury students are too. 

The University is also unable to cater for the growing demand for new students for its first year halls. At least 1,300 will miss out next year.

University Director of People, Culture and Campus life Paul O’ Flaherty says the university is aware of the issue.

“The University of Canterbury continues to plan ahead to ensure there is sufficient, high quality accommodation for our students.

“Alongside the new construction of our new 283-bed hall, Tupuārangi, opening in 2026, we are exploring further on-campus developments to meet growing demand."

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is also exploring options to improve transport for students.

“A Christchurch company has developed a thing called a Whoosh, a Whoosh is like a gondola, but it travels on a rope by itself.

"From the Uni at the moment into the riverside for example, plus stopping at other places, is only 8 minutes”.

Improvements can’t come soon enough for a growing city with a student population of around 60,000.