The University of Otago’s more than $100 million new residential college, which features a cinema and en suite rooms, has already become the top pick for next year’s students.
The university officially opened its new residential college Te Rangihīroa yesterday.
Situated on the corner of Forth and Albany Sts, the college boasts 450 beds and has become one of the most sought after colleges for 2024.
The name had been moved from the first college named Te Rangi Hiroa, now known as 192 Castle College.
Te Rangihīroa was the name of an Otago alumni (Sir Peter Buck) who was the first Māori medical graduate from a New Zealand university in 1904.
Ngāti Mutunga, the iwi of Te Rangihīroa, gifted the name to the university in 2013.
192 Castle would be run as an annex to Cumberland College until at least 2030, when it would possibly become a part of the health and hospital precinct, in terms of it’s location.
More than 100 members of Ngāti Mutunga iwi travelled from Taranaki for the blessing of the college.
Mr Roy said it wanted to "create a space that was as accessible as possible for students."
All 450 rooms were wheelchair accessible, allowing students with disabilities to socialise with students throughout the college, which was a "big element of the college", he said.
"It's more than just a bed. It's a home away from home.
"It's about learning, it's about social elements, it's about growing as a young person."
Property and campus development director Tanya Syddall said the final costs were within this budget.
It was originally planned to have its first intake of students at the start of this year, but due to industry-wide challenges and delays with the facade completion, the opening was moved to next year.
