Whītiki—Victoria University of Wellington student newsletter 25 November 2020

Welcome to Whītiki, our Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington student newsletter.

Alongside your studies, the summer months are a great time to brush up on your skills, sort out your admin for 2021 and set yourself up for success next year. Read some of our tips for what you can get involved with as a student. This week’s myView blog also highlights how to make the most of summer in Wellington.

We have also put together resources highlighting how international students spending the summer in New Zealand can get involved with the community and make new friends over this period.

During the upcoming Christmas holidays, there will be some changes to how our services operate—find out what is open and how to get in touch. If you need to apply for financial support, applications to the Hardship Fund must be submitted by Friday 11 December. Make sure you order your repeat prescriptions by Wednesday 16 December.

International students who were planning to return home over the summer holidays and are unable to for a period of time due to COVID-19 may be eligible for New Zealand Government emergency financial assistance. Certain criteria will need to be met. For more information about this option and support to return home, please contact our International Student Support team at Wellington University International, international-support@vuw.ac.nz.

Students' achievement recognised at awards ceremony

Congratulations to the international students who were recently honoured in the Wellington International Student Excellence Awards. In what has been a challenging year, these students achieved in academic excellence, resilience, community engagement, and more. Read more information on the awards ceremony and prizes.

Left to right: Sohei Mohseni, Harisu Abdullahi, Vikas Tyagi, Bungkung Hout, Bryan Tarlowski, Nathirah Saiful Bahri, and Eden Ee.

The Wellington summer to-do list

It may be cliché, but it’s true—you can’t beat Welly on a good day! Student Georgia Karantze shares her list of the best ways to enjoy the sunny season (once it arrives!) in Wellington.

Scorching Bay (and other excellent beaches depending on the wind)

Hot take: Scorching Bay is the best beach in Wellington. Seriously. There are lots of secluded areas of sand for you and your friends to hang out and huge grassy space for those who are less interested in sand and more interested in soaking up the rays! The other great thing is that it’s sheltered from the prevailing summer northerly. Read more.

Share your stories with us!
If you’d like to contribute to our student blog myView and share your experiences and stories, visit the website and read our submission guidelines, or get in touch at students@vuw.ac.nz.

Get greener over summer with Toitūroa, the Sustainability Team at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. We run a sustainability programme for staff and students called Green Impact, where you can choose from a range of sustainability challenges to do from home over the summer break in a team of one or more students. Your 'Green Impact' work can also be credited to the Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP) or Wellington Plus programme. Find out more about doing the 2020 Green Impact challenge and join the rest of the Green Impacters on Facebook.

Like bikes? Hūnuku, your community bike workshop and co-op is launching on 3 December, at 10.30 am in KK121 on Kelburn campus. Learn how to repair and maintain your bike with other student and staff cyclists.

Get your green on in 2021—check out our pages to find out how you can get involved in sustainability at the University. Rukuhia! Get into it!

Black Friday membership sale!

For two days only, take advantage of University Recreation's Black Friday flash sale and get a further $10 discount on our awesome and affordable summer special. Sale is from 6.30 am, Thursday 26 November until 8 pm, Friday 27 November. This discounted, limited-time offer can only be redeemed at our Kelburn or Pipitea fitness locations, making it only $49 for students with ID.

You’ll have unlimited access to a broad range of group exercise classes and fitness studio at Kelburn and Pipitea campuses until 14 February 2021. Make the most of your summer with some active relaxation—catch world-class views from our dance studio in Kelburn or enjoy the convenience of our Pipitea location.

Whītiki

As a student, we want you to feel connected with your Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington community. Whītiki is a Māori word that is often used in a phrase heard at the University: 'Whītiki mai tō waka ki te wharenui nei, ki Te Tumu Herenga Waka'—'tie or bind your canoe to this meeting house, to the hitching post of canoes.' This weekly newsletter provides important information and updates from the University, resources to support your studies, and stories from our student community.