The university opened its first sustainable flats in 2021 and called them He Kāika Toitū He Kāika Ora — the Great King St Sustainability Neighbourhood.
It consisted of a group of 20 students living in three Great King St flats, growing their own food, composting, recycling and being energy-efficient.
Recently, a second sustainability neighbourhood was started at a group of 14 university-owned flats, spread along Leith St East through to Dundas St.
It housed about 60 students.
University of Otago sustainability department head Dr Ray O’Brien said it was giving students an opportunity to live sustainably and learn more skills for their future lives.
"This neighbourhood, called Te Rua Tī, is a response to double the number of international students wanting to live sustainably.
"The new neighbourhood will also house domestic students as KiwiHosts for the international students, some second-year domestic students, and some doctoral students with their families, including children.
"It really will be like a village."
He said the flats were grouped in threes and fours, each with their own raised vegetable garden beds, picnic tables, and worm farms.
The area was bordered by no-mow zones, aimed at increasing biodiversity and sustaining bees.
He said Te Rua Tī would get beehives soon, and traps from Predator Free Dunedin were already in place.
Dr O’Brien said Te Rua Tī and He Kāika Toitū He Kāika Ora members gathered for regular sustainability meetings on topics including pest management, composting, soil health, and worm farms.
"The aim is for students flowing through the neighbourhoods, to share their experiences with their friends and take their sustainability skills with them when they finish university."
Te Rua Tī has opened in time for the university’s annual Sustainability Week next week.
A variety of events, including a Fair Trade hui, a Night Market, a neighbourhood shared kai evening, and a clothing swap have been scheduled throughout the week.
