Search StudentS at unitec

STUDENTS’ASSOCIATION

AT UNITEC

usuSTUDENTS’ASSOCIATION

AT UNITEC

usu

2012USU ExpEriEncE

SEmEStEr 2programmenEw ZEaland

For morE inFormation aboUt thESE EvEntS, contact thE USU intErnational programmE coordinator at USU Reception, Bldg. 180, in

The Hub at Mt. Albert campus.EMAIL: usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz

PHONE: 815 4321 ext. 7932WEB: www.usu.co.nz/international-student-experience

Join us on FACEBOOK. www.facebook.com/studentsatunitec

The USU Experience NZ Programme is designed to showcase some of the best locations, adventures and scenery that New Zealand has to offer, all with a student-sized price tag. Each trip is accompanied by New Zealand guides who can show you the local well kept secrets that will make your New Zealand experience unique

Kia OraaND

hellO!whEthEr yoU’rE an

intErnational StUdEnt or yoU call nEw ZEaland homE, thE

USU ExpEriEncE nEw ZEaland programmE iS a grEat way to makE FriEndS hErE at UnitEc

whilE Exploring thiS bEaUtiFUl coUntry.

02 EXPERIENCE NZ

If you live at The Village (Unitec’s on-campus accommodation) come along and introduce yourself to your neighbours! Located in B310 courtyard, there will be music, free food, beer and non-alcoholic drinks, plus games to be played with prizes to be won. Don’t miss out!

It’s free, So all you have to do is show up!

Start off your kiwi-experience by exploring the city you are living in! This is a great opportunity to get out and see some of what Auckland has to offer and to introduce yourself to other students from all over the world.

We will start the day by being welcomed onto the Unitec Marae. First, we’ll have a workshop on Maori culture to understand the customs that take place during the powhiri (welcome). Inside the marae, we will be given a tour of this amazing hand-carved building and learn the about the history and traditions that inspired the interior’s unique design.

After a yummy morning tea, it’s time to board our bus. We’ll visit the summit of Auckland’s tallest volcano; we’ll cross the harbour bridge to explore the defence tunnels and cannons on the North Shore, have fish and chips for lunch on the waterfront, and spend the

aucKlaND Bus TOur & Marae VisiTFriday 20th JUly 8am-4pm

afternoon at one of Auckland’s best beaches. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities along the way and our route will take us along some of Auckland’s main streets and shopping districts to help you get orientated in the city.

We’ll arrive back at Unitec in time for a free BBQ and welcome party put on by the International Office.Cost: $15 for Unitec students; $20 for everyone else. Includes lunch! Meet at 8am in the Hub – just outside USU and the International OfficeWant to come to the marae, but can’t make the bus trip? No problem. Just come along and meet up with the rest of us in the Hub at 8am, and at about 10am we’ll go our separate ways. There is no cost if you come to the marae only.Register at the International Orientation ceremony, at USU reception, or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Thursday 19th July.

usu Village ParTymonday 23rd JUly From 4pm

03EXPERIENCE NZ

Represent your country and sell your delicious cooking at International Food Day, held in The Hub (Bldg. 180) at the Mt. Albert campus. This is your chance to showcase your nation’s local delicacies to your friends, teachers and other Unitec students. It’s free for students to run a stall, and any profit you make is yours to keep. For more information and to register your stall, email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz

iNTerNaTiONal FOOD DaywEdnESday 1St aUgUSt & thUrSday 27th SEptEmbEr

Be in the know about everything that’s going on at Unitec and tag yourself in photos from the trips at www.facebook.com/

studentsatunitec

usu Students’Associationat Unitec

Rotorua is an active volcanic zone and home to New Zealand’s world-famous boiling mud pools and geysers. On this trip you will get the chance to witness these natural wonders, learn about the local Maori culture and eat a hangi lunch. Another highlight of the weekend will be relaxing at the local well kept secret – Kerosene Creek, a 100% natural hot spring that features a hot waterfall surrounded by native forest. We’ll also do a bit of a tiki-tour around town to take in some of Rotorua’s best sights. Our dorm-room accommodation has a geothermally heated swimming pool and an awesome location within easy walking distance of the night-life hub, a free geothermal park and Lake Rotorua.

This trip has been organised to be as affordable as possible. We have awesome discounts for the optional activities for those of you who want to do it all, but if you would rather just come along for the ride and do your own thing in Rotorua, that’s fine too.

Cost: $185 for Unitec students; $200 for everyone else Includes transport, accommodation, a hangi lunch on Sunday, breakfast on Sat and Sun, BBQ dinner on Saturday, sightseeing in Rotorua, swimming at Kerosene Creek, and entrance to Te Puia at Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley (Sunday). Register at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Monday 30th July.

rOTOrua WeeKeNDFriday 3rd – SUnday 5th aUgUSt dEpart 10am Friday

Optional Activities: For more details about these activities, go to the USU website www.usu.co.nz/experience-nz or ask at reception.FRIDAY AFTERNOON (choose 1 only)• Hobbiton Movie Set Tour: $83.50 A behind the scenes tour of the L.O.T.R. set.• Rotorua Zorb: $25 Roll down a hill inside a giant water-filled hamster ball!• Rotorua Luge: $11.75 for the gondola + $6.50 per luge ride. There’s no ice involved in kiwi-style luging, just you, your friends, gravity-powered go-carts and a concrete track. So much fun!SATURDAY• Kaituna River White Water Rafting: $70 Enjoy paddling down this scenic waterway punctuated by raging, thundering white water, including the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall.• For those who choose not to go white water rafting, you could go mountain biking, to a wildlife park, or see more of Rotorua’s thermal wonders. SUNDAY• Agroventures: $25 per activity, or $65 for a bungy. More “only in New Zealand” extreme activities that involve hurtling at speed through the air, along the water, or around a pedal-powered monorail.

05EXPERIENCE NZ

With the Waitakere Ranges just out west, there are some really great hiking tracks right here in

Auckland. The regional park spans more than 16,000ha of native rainforest and coastline, and on this hike we’ll

see some of the best of it - think waterfalls, birdlife, giant kauri trees, old railway tunnels, a dam and a

stream crossing!You can expect to be walking for about 3 hours, 30+

minutes of which will be steadily uphill, so you do have to be reasonably fit for this trip. If this sounds like you,

put on your walking shoes, fill a day pack with lunch, water and your camera, and let’s go for a tramp! Cost: $5 for Unitec students; $10 for everyone else

This trip is weather dependant; if the weather isn’t suitable, we’ll go another day instead.

Register at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Wednesday 15th August.

WaiTaKere DaM Bush WalK

TerTiary challeNgeFriday 10th aUgUSt 9am-4pmTertiary Challenge is one of the biggest sports events of the NZ tertiary calendar, and this year Unitec is hosting it! Compete against students from other universities and polytechs around the country in touch rugby, 7-a-side football, basketball, ultimate frisbee, netball and volleyball. GO TEAM UNITEC! Cost: $20 Visit USU Reception to register and find out about training times. Or, for more information, email our sports coordinator, Ray, at ususport@unitec.ac.nz

SatUrday 18th aUgUSt 10am-5pm

06 EXPERIENCE NZ

Black water rafting is a uniquely NZ experience that involves travelling through a natural underground river system in darkness, floating on an inner-tube. After an hour navigating our way through the world-famous Waitomo caves, sometimes crawling below low rock ceilings, jumping off underground waterfalls and floating serenely downstream beneath a “sky” of star-like glowworms, we’ll warm up with a hot shower and some hot soup.

All you need to bring is your bathing suit and towel, all other equipment (wetsuit, fleece, boots) is provided for you. Cost: $97 for Unitec students; $107 for everyone elseIncludes transport, caving adventure, photos, soup and bagel.Register at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Friday 17th August. Trips through the caves are limited to groups of 11 (which includes your van driver). Please specify either Saturday or Sunday when you book, and let us know if you want to be in the same group as certain friends.

WaiTOMO caVes BlacK

WaTer raFTiNg Day

TriPSatUrday 25th aUg & SUnday 26th aUg

two tripS rUnning Each day: 8.15am-7pm; 9.15am-8pm

07EXPERIENCE NZ

This 7-a-side tournament is held down on the Unitec rugby fields. Round up some friends, pick a country to represent and register your team. Then all you have to do is pick your team colours. The Football World Cup is always a great day out in the sun with prizes and glory for the winning team. Everyone is welcome to enter a team, to compete for the championship cup and bragging rights for the semester!Cost: $50 to register a team

FOOTBall WOrlD cuP Friday 28th SEptEmbEr 10am-4pm

08 EXPERIENCE NZ

MT ruaPehu sNOW WeeKeNDFriday 7th – SUnday 9th SEptEmbEr dEpart 10am FridayIf you love skiing/snowboarding or just want to give it a try, this is a getaway for you. Mt Ruapehu is located in the central North Island and is home to two of New Zealand’s largest ski fields, with great terrain for both beginners and more advanced skiers/boarders. Unlike most ski areas, there is no mountain range; instead, the landscape is dominated by Ruapehu and two other isolated volcanic cones, which makes for a stunning view. We will be staying in the mountain-base town Ohakune, where we can make the most of the nightlife after a full day on the hill. Best of all, the USU trip will be accompanied by qualified ski and snowboard instructors, so if you have never skied or snowboarded before, or if you want to up-skill, you can get a lesson for free! Cost: $115 for Unitec students; $140 for everyone else Includes transport, accommodation and breakfast.Extra: Ski Pass – Full day, full mountain pass = $95 – Full day, beginners slope pass = approximately $60Gear Rental (Based on 2011 rates. Keep an eye on our website for up-to-date pricing)You can get everything you need for $50 on day one, and $40 for day two – Ski/Board setup = $25 for day one, $20 for day two – Ski Jacket/Pant hire = $10 each or $15 for both per day – Goggles/gloves = $5 each per dayRegister at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Monday 24th

09EXPERIENCE NZ

Forget riding the waves; on this day trip we’re taking our boogie-boards to the sand. Lake Waimanu at Bethel’s Beach, on Auckland’s west coast, has massive sand dunes that we will reach via a 30minute walk along the Waiti river bed. At the lake, you can swim if it’s warm enough, sandboard down the dunes, or follow the walking track around the lake.

Bring your own lunch, your camera and a towel for this part-nature walk, part gravity-fuelled adventure day trip.Cost: $10 for Unitec students; $15 for everyone else This trip is weather dependant; if the weather isn’t suitable, we’ll go another day instead.Register at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Wednesday 19th September.

laKe WaiMaNu saNDBOarDiNg Day TriPSatUrday 22nd SEptEmbEr 10am-5pm

Going away for the weekend? Need somewhere to stay? Why not maximise your kiwi-experience and camp out! USU now has three 3-4

person tents and some foam mattresses available for rent. There are so many great camping spots around the country – ask the team at USU

for suggestions and directions.Cost: $10 a day, plus $150 bond per tent (you get the bond back when we

get the tent back in good shape). You can book the tents in advance to make sure they’re available when you need them.

To make a booking, or for more information, visit USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz

reNT a TeNT FrOM usu

10 EXPERIENCE NZ

The Coromandel Peninsula is a favourite holiday spot for Aucklanders because of its beautiful pohutukawa-lined beaches, relaxed atmosphere and relatively close proximity to Auckland. Some of the highlights of this day trip will include a stop at the world-famous Hot Water Beach where we can dig our own hot tubs in the sand, a walk out to the spectacular Cathedral Cove and a short walk to the top of Tairua’s Mt Paku for an impressive 360° view.

At the end of the day we’ll have fish & chips on the beach for dinner (included in the price!) before driving home to Auckland. Bring your bathing suit, good walking shoes, lunch (or cash to buy some) and plenty of water.Cost: $30 for Unitec students; $40 for everyone else Includes transport and dinner (all activities are free). Bring your own picnic lunch to eat on the beach at Cathedral Cove.Register at USU reception or email usuinternational@unitec.ac.nz by 4pm Tuesday 23rd October.

cOrOMaNDel PeNiNsula Day TriPSatUrday 27th octobEr 7am-8.30pm

11EXPERIENCE NZ

1. USU reserves the right to alter prices, itinerary components and if need be, to postpone or cancel

events.

2. Finishing times are just estimates and are not guaranteed.

3. You must be at least 18 years old to participate in any event or trip in the USU Experience New

Zealand Programme, unless prior approval is obtained from the programme coordinator.

4. Friends and family of Unitec students are welcome to participate in a USU trip, so long as they meet

age restrictions for the particular trip or activity, but they will have to pay the non-member price. Please

contact the programme coordinator if you have any questions.

5. Events may be limited to a certain number of participants and your place will only be confirmed

once full payment has been made.

6. All prices are quoted in NZ dollars ($NZ).

7. Payment for events must be made by the deadline stated on the event guide. Late payments must

be arranged with the programme coordinator.

8. Payment options are EFTPOS, credit card and cash, and are to be made at USU reception in The Hub

(Bldg. 180). If you can’t make it in to the Hub, it is possible to pay by direct deposit to our bank account

– email the programme coordinator for details. Payments by direct deposit must be made before the

registration deadline.

9. A $5 transaction fee will be added on to all credit card payments. This amount corresponds to fees

that USU is charged per transaction for credit card payments.

10. For trips that cost over $50, you have the option of paying in a maximum of two 50% instalments.

The full ticket price must be paid prior to departure for the trip or activity.

11. USU will accept no responsibility for loss of possessions, and we recommend students get ad-

equate insurance for this scenario.

rEFUnd policy:12. If you decide to pull out of an event after the registration deadline, 25% of the full ticket price is

non-refundable. (Check the USU Experience NZ Programme booklet or the USU website for deadline

dates).

13. Please notify the programme coordinator if you decide to pull out of a trip. If you simply do not

show up on the day of the trip, 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable.

14. If an activity or trip is postponed/rescheduled, a new deadline will be set for you to confirm your

participation on the new date. If you pull out of the rescheduled event before the new deadline you

can get a full refund. If you pull out after the new deadline, 25% of the full ticket price is non-refund-

able. You will be notified of the new date and new deadline by email.

15. Refunds will be given in the form of a personal cheque if you have an NZ bank account, or a cash

cheque if you don’t. Refunds will be processed in the week after an event/activity/trip takes place, and

will usually be ready by the end of that week. You will be notified by email when your refund is ready to

collect from USU Reception.

ph: (09) 815 4321 ext: 7932e: usuinternational@unitec.ac.nzJoin USU at Unitec on FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/studentsatunitec or visit www.usu.co.nz

USU ExpEriEncE nEw ZEaland programmE tErmS and conditionS, and rEFUnd policy:

contact thE USU intErnational programmE co-ordinator: