Squalor? Draughty rooms? As long as we're on Hyde St

Visitor Kopare Williams (18 ,left) relaxes with two residents of a Hyde St flat, Aroha Raukaura (21, centre) and Cairah Pere (20), outside their flat on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Visitor Kopare Williams (18 ,left) relaxes with two residents of a Hyde St flat, Aroha Raukaura (21, centre) and Cairah Pere (20), outside their flat on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
The pull of flatting on Dunedin's party streets is not waning despite grimy conditions and rising rents, students say.

Yesterday, Hyde and Castle Sts, which have become synonymous for hosting student parties, were already hives of activity even though the academic year does not start for another two weeks.

Hyde St resident Aroha Raukaura, of Dunedin, moved into a flat which has clogged guttering and draughty rooms, but she was ''excited'' to be living on the street.

Her $120-a-week Hyde St room was ''way better'' than her Clyde St flat last year which had a hole, visible from the street, in her bedroom wall.

She had become used to such conditions.

''You can't focus on the negative.

''Any flatting options in the area are going to be bad - it doesn't matter if you are living on Hyde or Dundas.''

Down the road on Castle St, second-year student Kayla Kitson (18), of Auckland, had just moved into her flat.

She agreed with Miss Raukaura that people did not move to the area for the quality of accommodation offered but the atmosphere.

''It's just a lot of drinking if I'm being honest.''

She thought her flat was ''pretty warm compared to others'' but then conceded ''it's already a bit cold and it's not even winter''.

A Castle St resident who did not want to be named said he was aware landlords could charge more because ''it's Castle''.

He would pay $150 a week to live in the flat but it was worth it because it was part of the Dunedin student experience.

Otago University Students' Association president Hugh Baird said he knew of students paying $170 to live in ''absolutely shocking'' accommodation.

He encouraged students to look beyond the party streets.

''Shop around - you can definitely be fussy.

''You don't have to accept a substandard flat.''

University of Otago director of accommodation services James Lindsay said younger students tended to gravitate towards more expensive but rundown flats.

''Generally the younger, more inexperienced students try to sign up for flats midyear.

''The older, wiser students tend to wait a bit longer as they can pick up better deals much later in the year.''

Demand for flats was not as strong as in previous years, and there were rooms and flats still available, he said.

OUSA intended to run a flatting week to educate students about their rights and responsibilities in relation to renting, Mr Baird said.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

Comments

''It's just a lot of drinking if I'm being honest'' says Kayla Kitson (18), of Auckland. How can an intelligent young woman have such an attitiude and why is it considered part ot the Dunedin student experience? Its very sad for her family and for our Dunedin society that she has such a shallow and unsophisticated outlook on life. I would like to say go back and have an Auckland student experience. Otago University its time to make a stand and change this 'experience' and really educate our young people on how to live and work in society.

summer maybe winter best of luck

Nash no sure if you were born under a rock. But the rest of us that went to University of Otago did the same thing. I am now a consultant doctor and lecture worldwide. I teach at an esteemed University, and have had an amazing life. I owe this to the University of Otago, and the faculty when I was a "young buck" enjoying life, drinking(plenty) , and running amuck! I speak for hundreds of my colleagues who I know did what I did guess what Nash, they are still living the dream.
Thank you Dunedin for having us , we miss you and I enjoy coming back for an occasional lecture and drink!!!

 

Advertisement