Rainbow, Takatāpuhi & Gender-diverse

A big welcome to our Rainbow, Takatāpui and Gender-Diverse Community. We’re stoked you chose UC and we want your time here to be the best it can be.

To help you settle in, here are some things to know and people to meet.

Our tip: Sign up to UC's mailing list for news and event info.

Rainbow Room

This cosy space on campus is a common room where you can hang out, study, and use the microwave for lunch.

Physical resources are also available in the building, including a phone and computer to access support systems and information.

Find it in the Logie Building, Room 107.

Logie Building

QCanterbury

This student-led social club provides friendly, fun, and safe social spaces for rainbow and gender-diverse people. Keep an eye out for fun events throughout the year.

“Starting University as a rainbow or gender diverse student isn’t easy for anyone no matter the services available. We want incoming or newly ‘out’ students to know we’re all with you along the way, we’ve been through it, and are here to help us all thrive at UC. ”

– QCanterbury

Gender-neutral toilets

If you’re looking for a restroom on campus, head to:

  • Haere-roa (26 in total, with at least 10 accessible during the day)
  • Rehua on levels 2 and 7 (11 total)
  • Elsie Locke on levels 3 and 6 (3 total)
  • Puaka-James Hight on level 3 (2 total)
  • UC RecCentre (2 total)
  • The Postgrad Living Room Space (3 total)
  • Pasifika Students’ House 45 Creyke Road (1 total)
  • Dovedale campus in Kotuku (3 total)

UC Health Centre

The Team say they’re committed to working with rainbow and gender diverse students, and recently upskilled to better understand their primary health care needs.

They also work closely with UC’s Rainbow Advisor and providers such as 298 Health and Qtopia.

They welcome new students and look forward to working alongside you!

Find them on Facebook or on UC’s website.

Preferred names

If you’d like your preferred name to appear on your Student ID card, you can! Just have a chat with UC’s Rainbow Advisor.

They can also support you if staff need to be made aware of your preferred name, with the IT changes that UC can make, and other support.

Pronoun use

At UC, it’s common for people (especially staff) to include their pronouns in their email signatures. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them.

If you need support in regards to pronouns, please contact UC’s Rainbow Advisor.

Tip: Safe, supportive staff will often wear rainbow lanyards around UC.

Key people

Here are some helpful contacts for your time here at UC!

  • UC Rainbow Advisors

    Ari and the Team can help you settle into Uni life, and provide advice if you’ve got any questions or concerns.

    Find out more

    Ari Nicholson
    UC Rainbow Coordinator
    Te Ao Marama Room 101A
    ari.nicholson@canterbury.ac.nz
    +64 3 369 1071
     
  • Student Care

    Friendly student advisors who offer free and confidential support and advice on a heap of issues.

    Visit their webpage

    Student Care
    Undercroft, Puaka-James Hight (Central Library)
    studentcare@canterbury.ac.nz
    +64 3 369 3388
     
  • QCanterbury Exec

    The Team is here for a chat, social support or to help you in seeking advocacy.

    Find out more

    Q Canterbury
     
  • UCSA Advocacy and Welfare

    Our independent, free service offering advice and support on Uni issues and welfare.

    UCSA Advocacy and Welfare
    Level 2, Haere-roa
    help@ucsa.org.nz
    +64 3 369 0555
     
  • UCSA Equity and Wellbeing Advisory Group

    A group of students providing feedback to UCSA on any issues surrounding equity and diversity.


    Māngai Taurite me te Oranga | Equity and Wellbeing Representative
    studentwellbeing@ucsa.org.nz
     
  • Te Akatoki Maori Students’ Association

    Te Akatoki supports takatāpuhi students through holistic services, a welcoming physical space at their whare akonga (129 Ilam road) and advocacy across all spaces with an equity and diversity lens.

    Find out more

    Te Akatoki Maori Students’ Association
    Te Whare Ākonga o Te Akatoki, 129 Ilam Road
    te-akatoki@canterbury.ac.nz
     

Suggestion Box

The Suggestion Box is an great way to let the UCSA know about any initiatives or changes you want to see us implement, whether it’s about UCSA policy, our services, or a wider UC issue you’re passionate about.