Why should your child go to university in Auckland?

The cities of Dunedin and Christchurch are well-known among Kiwi teenagers as hubs of student activity. However, when it comes to choosing a place to study in New Zealand, Auckland offers a fantastic student experience along with so many other benefits.

Here are six reasons your child should think about studying at university in Auckland.

1. You’ve got places like this on your doorstep

_{Your child will have beautiful walks, beaches and outdoor places to explore right on their doorstep.}

The great thing about living in Auckland is that it’s so easy to get out of the city. If your child likes to get out and about there is no limit to what they can do on their weekends and in their spare time. The islands of Waiheke and Rangitoto are just a short ferry trip away, while an array of awesome walks, stunning views and gorgeous beaches like Takapuna and Mission Bay are only a short drive from the CBD. Auckland is also the perfect jumping off point for a North Island road trip, with options to head north to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga or south to Tongariro National Park, New Plymouth, Tauranga and Rotorua.

2. Auckland is one of the most liveable cities in the world

_{According to global livability rankings, Auckland is in the top places to live in the world.}

Auckland is regularly ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, beating out other New Zealand cities and even some cities across the ditch. Mercer’s Quality of Living City Rankings rank cities around the world on the basis of a variety of factors including recreation, housing, public transport, education, natural environment, economic environment, political and social environment, socio-cultural environment, consumer goods and medical/health considerations.

3. Your child can tailor their city living experience

_{Choose your own Auckland – whether you want a central living experience or want to experience life in one of the inner city suburbs.}

There are a lot of options for university students to live in Auckland, and each suburb in the inner city has its own character and unique community. Those wanting great nightlife and a myriad of dining options will probably choose somewhere like Grey Lynn or Kingsland. Mt Eden, Grafton and Newmarket are other popular suburbs for uni students to live due to their proximity to the CBD and affordable rental prices.

Of course many students choose to live outside the city, too. AUT has three Auckland campuses - the City Campus, North Campus and South Campus - so you can study at a location that suits you, whether that’s in the CBD, the North Shore or Manukau.

4. There’s great food and nightlife

_{Foodies and party goers will love Auckland’s late night venues and multitude of yummy brunch spots.}

Student nights at city bars, clubs and late-night venues offer discounts for students, with the Viaduct, Ponsonby and K Rd all offering up great nights out with slightly different vibes. The food isn’t too bad, either. There are plenty of brunch options in and around the city centre, and so many different ethnic varieties to taste. Events like the Vegan Food Festival, Lantern Festival, the French Festival and Night Noodle Markets will also get your tastebuds tingling. We’d definitely recommend timing a visit to your child with one of these events …

5. There’s always something happening

_{From international sporting matches to live music performances and food festivals, there’s always something on in Auckland.}

One thing’s for sure: your child will never be bored in the City of Sails. There’s always something on, whether it’s an All Blacks game, a film festival, international entertainment acts, brewery openings and much more. Auckland is home to the iconic sporting ground Eden Park; the largest art institution in New Zealand, Toi o Tāmaki ; the resplendent Civic Theatre, an array of live performance venues, and annual cultural festivals celebrating everything from film and food to wellness and gender equality. So there’s plenty for your child to get up to when they’re not studying.

6. It’s an incredibly diverse place

_{Auckland’s population is incredibly diverse, which will expose your child to new ways of thinking.}

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, with a population of over 1.6 million people. It’s a diverse place to live too – the latest census data reveals nearly 40% of the city's population were born overseas. Auckland is also home to 25% of the country’s Māori population. Studying in Auckland will expose you to a variety of cultures, languages, ethnicities and nationalities that will challenge your child’s thinking, encourage them to be open and tolerant of others and equip them to work in diverse workplaces once they graduate. Choosing a university that’s committed to diversity and inclusion is a great way to further enhance your child’s learning experience and career prospects, whether they want to begin their career in New Zealand or abroad.

Is your child ready to take the plunge and study in Auckland?

Learn more about:

• Why studying at AUT is a great decision
• Life in Auckland
• Student life and support services at AUT