Support for students from refugee backgrounds in Covid-19

The University is regularly updating its website with all the latest information. See Covid-19 information for our community.

All of the latest University messages are on the Notices page.

Many students are facing financial hardships as a result of Covid-19. In response, the University has set up a web page linking to various forms of financial assistance, including an emergency fund. See Financial support.

Check out the Student Emergency Fund.

To get the latest on forms of support, see What will studying in 2021 be like for me?

For doctoral students needing short-term assistance, there's also a new Doctoral Covid-19 hardship fund.

Plus the Doctoral Covid-19 fees waiver.

Canvas is the University’s Learning Management System. You can find guidance for accessing and using Canvas online.

Libraries and Learning Services update their services at each level of pandemic response. For the latest updates, check out the Libraries and Learning Services' news page.

Visit the Be Well web page for a range of articles, videos and websites that help you take care of yourself, as well as events. Be Well. 

Student health and counselling

Students have access to a range of health and mental wellbeing services. For booking details, fees (note: counselling services are free to domestic students), or to access links to other service providers, visit the Student Health and Counselling Service.

Half-hour appointments are available to answer quick questions or to help you apply for compassionate considerations for tests, exams, or discuss late deletions or withdrawals. To book these please call reception on 0800 698 427 to make an appointment.

Students identifying as having refugee backgrounds and who have registered with (or wish to register with) the Equity Office's Student Disabilities Services, may access additional support and advice. 

If you have a physical or learning disability or mental health condition, visit Student Disabilities Services. You can find out whether you are eligible for extra support, and get help to access such support, including how to get a diagnosis. See Student Disability Services.

If you feel threatened or are in immediate danger, phone 111. If searching the internet for advice on relationship violence puts you at risk, look for the “shielded site” icon at the bottom of every University webpage. This icon allows you to request help without leaving a record in "history".

You can contact the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0508 744 633 (Monday to Friday 7.30am to 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 11am).

More information and about family and relationship violence and abuse, University policies and guidelines are available at It’s Not Ok.

Further contact details can be found at Expert organisations that can help.

Around 800 of our students self-identified as having refugee backgrounds.

The Equity Office Te Ara Tautika leads the University’s commitment to being a safe, inclusive and equitable place for all students.

We strive to ensure students have access to the right tools to achieve success in their personal and academic journey.

Learn about Equity at the University.

Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) provides mental health services for New Zealanders from refugee backgrounds. If you are worried about the wellbeing of yourself or someone you care about, the RASNZ Support and Information Line 0800 472 769 operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The RAS Youth Team and scholarship coordinator have set up social media links for students to connect and access support. See online accounts @rasyouth (Facebook), @Youth_atras (Instagram), @rasyouth (TikTok).

See RASNZ Covid-19 resources.