Auckland 2006-2007
University of Warwick Overseas Exchange
Living in Auckland
The first thing you will likely need to find is somewhere to stay. It is usual that in the first semester you will be on campus, and it is up to you which one is suitable. I chose the Railway Campus, as it was self-catering, close to the university and relatively inexpensive. It was also where a lot of the other international students live as well. I met other exchange students who chose Grafton Halls, which is actually closer to the university but offers breakfast and late meals. It is also where a lot of the Kiwi students (that don't live at home) reside. You can find the 'official word' on these places from the links below, but those are the two I've noted. In any case, the accommodation office will not let you be homeless in your first semester here!
It might turn out that you will look for a flat or apartment in the second semester. There are many links out there for flat searching (listed below), and it is relatively easy to find something that will be close to the university but not overly expensive. There are also many flat share schemes and 'friend finder' services if you are looking to join another group. There are many student apartments available, and if all else fails, after the summer holidays, I stayed for a short while in a backpacker hostel just before term started!
Flat finding links:
TradeMe - NZ's version of eBay, also has flat share links
FlatFinder
FlatMates
Once you are housed, you will probably like to know what else there is to do in Auckland and where to get food and drink. Restaurants and such. In terms of supplies, your first stops are likely going to be Foodtown (the 24hr equivalent of Tesco), and the Warehouse, which is effectively a shop that sells everything at ridiculously low prices. They are both not far from the campus accommodation, and the Warehouse will supply you with anything from lamps to pillows, trainers to TV's, mops to wetsuits and everything else in between.
Stocked up and ready to go, you might also want to check out what else the university has to offer. The AUSA is the equivalent of the Student's Union and is made up of all the societies and sports and organises all the nights and events. Much like the societies at Warwick, they range from Ultimate Frisbee to Hiking to the 'We Rock!' club and so on. All of them are available in the link below.
In terms of campus facilities, there's about ten different fast food outlets, from Indian/Chinese/Sushi to standard western fare, as well as a mini-mart and a few cafes. The Engineering department also supplies a good selection of snacks (there's also a microwave available for student use in the same area). Shadows is the bar on campus, but as you are so close to the city, it is mainly just good for a drink after lectures or when a decent band night is happening. For this reason, it seems to get very busy around five o'clock!
The centre of Auckland is based around one street, Queen Street. This is the main shopping road and I believe it is currently being 'reimagined' to make it more pedestrianized so may look like a building site. However, apart from the shops, you have to take a few side streets to get to the interesting places.
- The Skytower - unmissable from anywhere in Auckland, this is kind of your homing beacon of the streets. It's a good way to map out your orientation of the city in the bar at the top, and it also houses a casino, which can be expensive, but is also good fun.
- High Street - running parallel to Queen Street, this houses some decent bars to frequent, such as Rakino's. Also some more boutique like shops and in the side streets to Queen St., try and find the Belgian Pub.
- The Viaduct - this is where all the major pubs and clubs are, so it's likely you'll find something to taste. In the daytime it's a good walk down past the marina as well.
- K'Road - actually called Karangahape Road, but shortened for the obvious reasons, you can reach it at the top of Queen St. where it runs perpendicular. If you are looking for more bohemian shops and clubs, head here. Great for charity shops as well.
- Parnell - further away from the centre, but still walkable is Parnell Rd. There are a lot of nice restaurants up here, but at the very top is the unmissable Chocolate Boutique.
- Newmarket - this is an alternative shopping area to Queen St., and possibly better if you can make the extra distance by walking or the Link bus.
Getting around, as I've briefly mentioned, is fairly easy on foot, but it will take you a good day to make it all around the areas I've mentioned. However, running a circuit conveniently through all these places, is the Link Bus. There is also the Britomart centre on the south end of Queen St. where all other buses and trains seem to head off, although the train service is not the best out there. I've linked more details below.
Useful Links:
Campus Accomodation - University website
University Activity Guide
AUSA - the main student body
The Link Bus - the city circuit
The Viaduct
