About 200 servings of the traditional Maori kai were doled out at the university's Maori Centre from 1pm.
The annual Orientation hangi was a collaboration between the centre and Maori students' association, Te Roopu Maori.
Association tumuaki (president) Lisa Pohatu said the decision to use hangi cookers was a wise one considering yesterday's rain.
"It would have been horrendous trying to do it in the ground," she said.
The modern catering method made no difference to taste, according to those eating the food on offer.
For $5 students received a bread roll and butter, pumpkin, kumara, potato, cabbage and either chicken, lamb or pork.
Members of staff and the wider public paid $7.50 per plate.
A vegetarian option was also available.
Ms Pohatu said many international students lined up to taste hangi for the first time.
"The Maori students don't actually buy hangi that much," Ms Pohatu said.