On-campus Accommodation

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has accommodation available for student rental adjacent to the Windermere Campus. The accommodation consists of seven separate houses that contain two, three or four bedrooms each: a total of 21 residents. Each of the bedrooms is lockable and is furnished with a double bed and study desk/chair. The living areas and bathrooms are shared with at least one other student depending on the size of the house. Download the Student Accommodation Application Form (PDF, 194kb).

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is planning construction of a brand new accommodation block. It is going to be located on Windermere Campus, which means students will have all campus facilities right on their doorstep.

 

Homestay

Homestay is when a student lives with a New Zealand family in their home. This is a good environment to be immersed in the New Zealand culture. All homestay accommodation is assessed for suitability by the International Coordinator. Applications for homestay accommodation should be made to the International Coordinator.

Students choosing this option should be prepared for differences compared to when living with their own family. Generally students will have their own room and most meals provided. Students may be expected to help with some of the household duties. There will also be house rules to follow. For example, there may be limits on telephone use, computer use, or watching television. These types of rules vary between household families.

The Polytechnic will match a family as closely as possible to what students require and what the family is looking for. For instance, if a student likes dogs or vegetarian food, the Polytechnic will attempt to place this student with a similar family.

Costs of Homestay
The cost of homestay accommodation in Tauranga is approximately NZ$180 - $220 per week, inclusive of food, power and laundry, but exclusive of telephone, Internet and transport expenses.

 

Hostels

YHA Hostel
This hostel is located in the centre of Tauranga and is only five (5) minutes walk to the Bongard Campus. Good short term accommodation while you look for something more permanent.

Contact: Youth Hostel Association
171 Elizabeth Street
Tauranga
Phone: 07 578 5064
Cost: Price varies- discounted weekly rates. Twin rooms or dormitory only (linen provided).

 

Flatting

This is the leasing / renting of a house or apartment of your own or, more commonly, with other students. If you choose this option you can request temporary accommodation for a few days until you find a flat or house to live in. Student Worx, local newspapers and Real Estate agencies publish lists of flats and houses available for rent. It is easier to look for housing after you arrive in Tauranga.
 

Costs for Flatting
The costs for flatting can range from approximately NZ$80 - $160 per week plus expenses such as food, power, water, telephone, Internet, etc.

Setting up a flat may include:

• Bond to the value of two to four (2-4) weeks rent
• Rent usually paid two (2) weeks in advance
• Connection of power generally requires a deposit of $150, + $25 establishment (new connection) fee
• Telephone connection (Telecom) - a connection fee of around $60 or a $30 fee to have the account details changed to a new name
• Connection of gas requires either a credit check or a deposit of $100

Tenancy Agreement
A tenancy agreement is a contract between the landlord, and the people/person leasing/renting the house. The law requires all tenancy agreements to be in writing. The landlord must provide you with a copy of the tenancy agreement. An agreement may be for a fixed term (starting and finishing on a specific date) or periodic (no term specified).

Bonds
A A bond is an initial payment required for security by landlords when offering their premises for rental. Bonds are refunded at the end of your tenancy if accounts are paid in full and the flat or house is well maintained. Landlords can request a bond equivalent to 1-4 weeks rent. Extra fees that can be added to the bond payment include two weeks rent in advance or / and a Real Estate Agent’s fee that is usually equivalent to one week’s rent. In New Zealand, the bond is not held by the landlord, but is deposited in trust with the New Zealand Tenancy Board.

Furniture
You should check whether the flat is fully furnished (e.g. with a bed, fridge, washing machine), semi-furnished or unfurnished. Most houses for rent in New Zealand are unfurnished, but there are plenty of ways to buy cheap, quality second-hand items. In most houses for rent you will need to provide your own basic necessities, such as a bed, linen, chest of drawers, desk and light, etc.

Household Appliances
Most houses for rent do not provide whiteware (fridge, washing machine, etc). You need to decide if you want to rent these items or if individual flat mates will provide them. There are many companies in Tauranga that lease whiteware at an affordable price.

For more information on flatting, your rights and responsibilities when renting a flat, see the Department of Building and Housing's Flatting 101 website.

Rental Agencies in Tauranga
There are several rental agencies in Tauranga that can assist with your accommodation needs. Contact the International Coordinator for details.

Cost of Living

Youshould budget for between NZ$120 – NZ$230 per week in addition to rent or homestay accommodation expenses. Expenses may vary depending on personal spending habits. Flatting is usually more expensive than homestay and you may need to budget carefully to meet all expenses.

Average Prices	NZ$ per week
Accommodation	$120 - $230
Power/ Gas/ Water	$10 - $50
Transport	$30 - $70
Food	$60 - $130
Entertainment	$40 - $100

 

Products	NZ$ per item
Coke (can )	$2.70
Milk (litre)	$2.00
Bread (loaf)	$2.50
Big Mac burger	$7.00
Cinema	$14.00 - $16.00
Petrol (litre) - fluctuates	$2.00
Cappuccino/Latte	$3.50 - $5.50