OIA 26.599 Response.pdf

17 June 2026
C. Neilson
By email: [FYI request #34758 email]
Dear C. Neilson

OIA 26.599 First Preference in Hall Applications
I refer to the Official Information Act (the Act) request dated 21 May 2026 regarding First Preference in Hal
Applications at the University of Canterbury. You have specifical y requested:
•  Could you please tell me which residential halls had the most applicants put them as their ﬁrst
preference when applying for a residential halls in 2025 for the 2026 year. If you could please list the
top 8 in order of number of ﬁrst choice applications.

•  Additionally, can you please tel  me how many people were on the waitlist for residential halls in
December 2025 for the 2026 year.

The list of top 8 in order of first choice applications is as fol ows:
Tupuānuku
Ilam Student Accommodation
University Hal
Rochester and Rutherford Hall
Tupuārangi
Col ege House
Arcady Hall
Hayashi
Please note that this list is based on al  completed applications to the Hal s of Residence (new and returning
students.)
The list of first preferences for hal s and number of applicants on the waitlist does not provide an accurate
reflection of the chances of gaining a place within a hal  and does not indicate how many applicants
subsequently received offers.
As at 16 December 2025 there were 645 people on the waitlist. Please note that UC has no way of knowing
whether those on the waitlist were al  intending to come to UC or had applied to other Universities.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about
how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely

Information and Records Management