Starting university and leaving home for student accommodation brings big changes for students and their families. For some families it’s an exciting milestone; for others it might be an anxious time. This page has information for parents and whānau of students in AUT accommodation.
You may ask yourself: Will my child settle in okay? Will they make friends? How will they balance study, socialising and other commitments? Will they be safe in their accommodation? Where do they go if they need help with their studies? How will they survive without someone to do their cooking and laundry? Living in student accommodation is one of the best places for your child to grapple with these new responsibilities.
AUT provides wrap around pastoral support on a day-to-day basis – so you can feel sure that your child is being looked after in their new home away from home.
AUT’s student services focus on student safety, health and wellness, which is consistent with the AUT values of tika, pono and aroha (integrity, respect and compassion). Students living in our community-based on-campus student accommodation benefit from our extensive pastoral support including:
Our residential life programme for students in AUT accommodation offers:
Every week there are loads of opportunities to get involved in. The programme focuses on social, health and wellbeing, community and academic success.
We provide 24/7 support at all student accommodation locations, with a combination of:
One of the benefits of living in student accommodation is that it's easy for students to get support and advice when they need it.
Our on-site staff can help your child:
It’s not just students who have to adjust when they start university; parents have to let go of some of the responsibility they have usually held in monitoring their child’s life. Coming to university marks a step into adulthood and students are expected to start making decisions for themselves, including choices about their lifestyle and study.
Student accommodation and its support structure offer a safe and secure environment to start this journey of self-discovery. Parents need to understand that students have a right to privacy while in AUT accommodation. Providing student information is not possible unless there are serious concerns about a student’s safety, or if they’re under the age of 18.
If your child isn’t answering your calls, we can check in on them for you, and encourage them to reach out to you.
AUT’s Parents’ Hub has useful tips to help you and your family prepare for the transition and ensure your child has all the support they need to live comfortably away from home.
Phone: +64 9 921 9478
Email: residential.services@aut.ac.nz
Hours: Mon to Fri 9am to 9pm, Sat & Sun 9am to 5pm
42 Akoranga Drive, Northcote
Phone: +64 9 921 9947
Email: residential.services@aut.ac.nz
Hours: Mon to Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat & Sun 9am to 5pm
AUT is committed to providing excellent customer service and an exceptional learning experience. You or your child can provide any feedback you have, whether it’s a complaint, suggestion or compliment.