Student Services

Contacting CPIT is easy - just visit us at our City Campus on Madras Street or phone 0800 24 24 76.

At CPIT we offer an impressive range of facilities and services to enhance and support your learning:

Accommodation

  • At Otautahi House you become a member of a community of students from around New Zealand. The House is situated adjacent to CPIT and offers rooms for 72 students in modern attractive apartments. Each apartment is self contained with six single furnished bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen, showers and toilets.

    As rooms are limited students should not wait until they are accepted onto a course before applying to live at Otautahi House.

  • International students visiting New Zealand for the first time can apply for homestay accommodation. Homestays provide a warm family environment with your own room and meals provided along with the opportunity to assimilate into the New Zealand way of life by becoming part of a New Zealand family.

Accommodation office staff are available to advise both domestic and international students on other accommodation options in Christchurch.

Careers

Ph 940 8720

The Career Centre is located in the Rakaia Centre Atrium, City campus, and is open to students and prospective students from Monday to Friday; 9am-5pm. Friendly staff can help with career planning, course selection, study decisions, and job hunting.

Career Counsellors are available at the ‘Drop-in’ times on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12 – 1 pm and Thursdays 9am -12 noon. At these times you can speak with a Career Advisor without an appointment for up to 15 minutes. If a longer consultation is needed you can follow up with an appointment at a later date. To make an appointment, visit the Career Centre, phone 03 940 8720, or email careers@cpit.ac.nz.

The Career Centre also assists you with casual, part time, temporary and full time job opportunities via its web-based career management system, CareerHub.

Central Academic Records

Ph 940 8009

Located in the Rakaia Centre, Madras Street Campus, opening hours are:

  • Monday-Thursday 8.30 am - 5 pm;
  • Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm

Central Academic Records is responsible for the issue of all CPIT result notices, transcripts and qualifications. If you need a reprint of one of these or have a query relating to your academic results, please contact this office.

Central Academic Records office is the liaison between CPIT and NZQA. Queries relating to NZQA, hook on fees and hook on numbers, NZQA exam fees or results recorded at NZQA should be directed to this office.

Centre of Assessment for Prior Learning (CAPL)

Ph 940 8114

The Centre of Assessment for Prior Learning (CAPL) is an assessment service that is based at CPIT. We use our education programmes, tutors and resources to evaluate your industry experience against our academic requirements so that you can gain credit or even a whole qualification.

Early Learning Centre

Ph 940 8075

The modern, well equipped Early Learning Centre offers quality care and education for children from six months to five years. Parents interested in attending courses at CPIT should enquire about pre-enrolling their children in the Early Learning Centre. Places are also available for community users.

Health Centre

Ph 940 7566

CPIT offers nursing, medical (GP), counselling & physiotherapy services in our health centre situated in HS Block on Williams Street at the main city campus.

Opening Hours are:

  • Monday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm
  • Fri 9 am - 3 pm

The Health Centre runs reduced services during term break.

Information & Enrolments

Ph 940 8000

An approachable staff member is always available to help students through the process of enrolment, provide course information or assist with any other queries.

International Admissions & Fees

Ph 940 8247

We have a team of admissions officers who will help you with your international enrolment issues. They are located at the Enrolments counter in the Rakaia Centre.

International Student Advisors

Ph 940 8728 or 940 8434

CPIT has a team of staff who work to support international students requiring pastoral care (help adjusting to living in New Zealand) and help with academic related issues. The International Student Advisors work with students in a case management model to ensure continuity of care. International students can seek help themselves or may be referred by staff members. Office hours are 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Library

Ph 940 8089

The library is available for use by all CPIT students. Resources include books, videos, journals, magazines and newspapers. Students have access to a variety of New Zealand and international databases, and thousands of international publications, covering many subjects. Excellent study and drop-in computing facilities are available as well as photocopiers and a range of audio-visual equipment, such as satellite TV, and video and DVD players. Library databases can also be searched from off-site using usernames and passwords.

Learning Services

Ph 940 8005

Learning Services offer free and confidential tutoring and academic writing advice to CPIT students wanting to improve their learning. For individual assistance, make an appointment to see a tutor or come along to a drop in session. Drop in session times are advertised at the entrance to Learning Services, on level 2 in the library.

  • PASS and Peer Support
    If you are having difficulty with a subject you should approach your course tutor. You may also contact Learning Services who will endeavour to match you with a PASS study group or a peer support person. Peer support leaders are students who have a sound knowledge of the subject and are trained to give assistance. This service is free to CPIT students.
  • Language Support
    If English is not your first language and you are studying in a mainstream course, you can have help with understanding your textbook, planning assignments, and improving your writing skills. In your first year of a programme you may apply for additional time in internal tests/examinations. Application forms are available from the Faculty Records Office.

Disability Services

03-940 8164 or fax 03-940 8622

Disability Services is located upstairs in the library (a lift is available at the rear of the library) next to Learning Services. The Disability Coordinator and Student Advisor provide advice and coordinate support for students with disabilities. They can also provide information to your course tutors about your teaching and learning requirements.

Disability Services can be contacted Monday to Friday.

Recreation Centre

Ph 940 8435

The Recreation Centre has a variety of activities that you can get involved with throughout the year. From organised classes such as self defence, yoga, pilates and social sports competitions to simply shooting hoops with friends, the Recreation Centre has something for everybody. Memberships and concession cards are available for CPIT students, staff and the general public. Casual fees are also available.

Restaurants & Cookery Shops

Ph 940 8435

CPIT's focus on practical, applied learning means that we are often able to provide the products of these classes to students at reasonable prices.

The cookery classes regularly run shops (phone 940 8382) offering excellent quality goods.

Student Cafes

There are two student cafes on campus, Café X in the Rakaia Centre and the Student Centre Café.

Scholarships

Ph 940 8238

The Student Financial Support Office at CPIT has information on scholarships and awards available to CPIT students. Some categories are:

  • First Year students
  • Financial hardship
  • Women over 25
  • School leavers,
  • Many Faculty specific scholarships

Information can be found by either visiting the Student Support Office in the Rakaia Centre, or by emailing.

Financial Assistance

Ph 940 8238

CPIT has many sources of funding to assist you with your studies here. We cover a wide range of options, from awards for academic excellence, through to specific industry scholarships, and grants to assist those who would not be able to afford to otherwise study.

Information can be found by either visiting the Student Support Office in the Rakaia Centre, or by emailing.

Student Finance

Ph 0800 88 99 00

For information on Student Loans and Allowances please contact Study Link on 0800 88 99 00.

Students' Association

Ph 940 8900

The Christchurch Polytechnic Students' Association is run by students for students. CPSA is your representative and advocate for student issues. It provides services such as Student Job Search, postal facilities and student discounts, and is located in the student centre.

Te WÄnaka o ÅŒtautahi MÄori Support Services

The Kaiarahi and Chief Executive have established Te WÄnaka o ÅŒtautahi to assist MÄori students at CPIT. Te WÄnaka staff are available to assist on any issue you have, and you are welcome to come over to the Whare buildings and introduce yourself.

CPIT Kaiāwhina Māori/Learning Advisor

Ph 940 8005

General and pastoral advice, guidance, advocacy and referrals are available for all Māori students to improve their academic, social, cultural and personal experience at CPIT and enable them to successfully complete their study. Support with writing essays, assignments, time and stress management, exam preparation and techniques or improving your learning in general is also available.

Pou Āwhina (Māori Cultural & Tikanga Support)

Ph 940 8631

For tautoko, advice and guidance with any issues in this area, please contact us for referral to the most appropriate person

Kaihono MÄori Liaison Officer

Ph 940 8480

This person identifies opportunities for specifically MÄori student recruitment. If you are unsure what courses to take or want more advice on courses offered by CPIT for your educational pathway, contact the Kaihono MÄori at Student Services & Information (SSI).

Fautua Pasefika/Learning Support

Ph 940 8339

Pastoral care and assistance is provided to Pasefika students to enable them to manage their study load and family/community commitments, and to develop study and time management skills to encourage academic success.

Mentoring/WhÄnau Groups/WÄ MÄori

Ph 940 8005

A range of support groups and social events are available for Mâori and Pasifika students to support each other in similar courses, meet regularly and awhi each other. Nau mai, haere mai.

Te Waka Huruhurumanu ki ÅŒtautahi

Ph 940 8436

A modern, bilingual Early Learning Centre for children from six months to five years offers high quality care and education in an excellent environment with emphasis on using Te Reo MÄori. Contact us for information on childcare scholarships for MÄori and Pasifika students