Sustainability Neighbourhoods

Kia ora & welcome the Sustainability Neighbourhoods online hub where you can learn how to live more sustainably.

This is a great opportunity for you to learn, grow and connect.

The What

Made up of 2 separate neighbourhoods - Sustainability Neighbourhood & Sustainability Village Green. Both spaces share a multiple gardens, hot-house, beehives, and tackle food waste through either worm farms or compost. 
We also host monthly hui's (meetings), where we introduce a guest speaker to learn about differing sustainability topics, from waste to nutrition to well-being.

The Why

Our neighbourhoods are an awesome opportunity to connect with like-minded, sustainable people. Residents get to be apart of positive impact, by learning and growing collectively to then share further with other student flats.

  • Special guest of a specific sustainability field are brought to the neighbourhood to deepen your understanding on a specific topic.

What to expect

There is work involved in making a sustainable community a success. As a resident you will be able to share your values with others while doing your share of the work. This might be in the garden, part of an organising group, or a wide range of other contributions. Alongside this, our team have set up opportunities for residents to continue to learn through their stay.  

  • Woven around these expert Hui’s are opportunities to connect with your neighbourhood and its environment to put your learning into action. 

  • We believe the most valuable way to grow and learn is through understanding yourself, your expectations and your aspirations. At the start of each month we will give you the opportunity to reflect and write down your personalised goals for growth in sustainability & reflect on how you have grown from the previous month. 

Your Otago Whanau

  • Your primary guide and director of the Sustainability Neighbourhood is Demi Lawrence. Demi has first-hand experience of what it’s like living in the Neighbourhood, additionally having lead the Sustainability Neighbourhood throughout 2023.
    She is extremely understanding and approachable being a student herself. Demi is your first port of call for anything regarding the Neighbourhood, sustainability or anything student related.

    Contact:

    demi.lawrence@otago.ac.nz
    027 236 4771

  • The Sustainability Neighbourhood is owned, managed and maintained by the University of Otago’s UniFlats. Therefore, there is a high level of accommodation, quick and reliable service and well-maintained flats - meaning cosy winters!

    Therefore, anything to do with the building itself is UniFlats, i.e. broken appliances, house maintenance, and costs. UniFlats additionally has many events and opportunities throughout the semester, if you haven’t already, follow the Facebook page for this information.

    Contact: flats@otago.ac.nz

    Address: 100 Saint David Street

  • The Sustainability Office connects the ‘sustainability’ part of the flatting to UniFlats current flatting model. The University’s Sustainability Office’s Head of Sustainability, Ray O’Brien, created the idea of the Sustainability Neighbourhoods, in hopes of bringing together like-minded individuals who are willing to learn and contribute towards living more sustainably.

    Anything to do with the sustainability sides of flatting, such as the garden, energy, or waste, come talk to the Sustainability Office team, such as Demi.

    Contact: sustainability@otago.ac.nz

    Address: 109 Saint David Street

You will also receive support from UniFlats and the Sustainability Office throughout the year. But, you may be wondering, how do I know who the right person is to contact? Here’s each of their roles.

Susty Quick Tips

Waste & Recycling

  • You have three bins given to each flat by the Dunedin City Council (DCC).

    BLUE = Glass

    YELLOW = Recycling (1,2 & 5)

    RED = Landfill

    We will have a Hui with a guest speaker from Waste Management NZ to teach you further about waste.

  • You can learn more about your kerbisde collection HERE

Sustainable Transport

  • Dunedin is a fantastic city for cycling. Otago Peninsula has twice been named one of the top ten rides in the world by Lonely Planet guide. It has a network of dedicated cycle lanes and shared pedestrian and cycle paths, as well as a multitude of off-road tracks.

    Check out more info HERE

  • Download the ‘Transit’ App to plan your journey. Payment can be made in cash or via Bee Card.

    Learn more HERE

Sustainable Shopping