A. Conference Visa
Read the following advice from ‘Immigration New Zealand’:
- Visa-Waiver Countries: For those travelling from visa-waiver countries, an NZeTA (see links) would be required. A University invitation letter could be provided to all conference attendees regarding the conference, its details etc. This could be shown to Customs and Immigrations officials on arrival, if requested.
- Visa applications open for travellers located in Pacific countries— If you are applying for a Visitor Visa from one of the Pacific Islands Forum countries, your application must be submitted online. The Pacific Islands Forum countries are the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
- For those not from visa-waiver countries, a general Visitor Visa would be required. An invitation letter (mentioned above) would be useful in their applications. With these applications, including the INZ1224 Visitor Visa Declaration Form (sections A and B). There would need to be a separate form for each application.
Or,
- there is the possibility to apply for a group visitor visa. You can apply for a visa as a group of academics through: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/group-visitor-visa
B. Conference Accommodation
- Tupuānuku by UniLodge. The accommodation is at Tupuānuku Hall of Residence, 3 Homestead Lane (entrance off Waimairi Road), just a short walk from campus and close to the USCA building. The following links are for a single person. Once attendees have completed their payment, we kindly ask them to email a screenshot of their payment confirmation to tupuanuku@unilodge.co.nz, so we can match the payment to the name and allocate their room accordingly. This system allows us to manage bookings on a first-come, first-served basis while keeping everything clearly linked to your group. Tupuānuku links for booking
2. BreakFree on Cashel Christchurch. Eco-certified hotel with fitness centre and 24-hour front desk. Links to register: BreakFree booking link
3. Chateau on the Park – Christchurch, a DoubleTree by Hilton, Chateau on the Park booking link
4. The Towers on the Park. The Towers booking link
C. What’s on – Christchurch
- Where to eat? Dining Options
- LB & Co Esspresso in Christchurch (Nearby the Campus)
- Zyka Indian Cuisine | Authentic Indian Restaurant & Best Takeaway in Ilam, Christchurch (Nearby the Campus)
- Soul Quarter Christchurch
- Twenty Seven Steps – Restaurant
- Seafood Restaurant | Dux Dine | Christchurch
- HOME – Thai Orchid Restaurant
- 5th Street – 5th Street
2. Things to do in Christchurch (We will add to this as more events are added to the Christchurch Tourism calendar)
- Favourite Activities THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Christchurch (2025)
- CHCH tourist information centre Christchurch Travel Guide | Christchurch Tourism – KAYAK
- Cafēs and Bars at the University of Canterbury Bars and Cafés
- Therapy café in the Rehua building next to the C Lecture block.
3. Public Transport in Christchurch
Public Transport in Christchurch: A Guide to Buses, Ferries & More 🚊 [2025]
4. Map of the inner city
map of inner city christchurch – Google Search
5. Buildings on the University of Canterbury Ilam Campus.
The Central lecture theatres (in the red square below) is where the conference will be held. The building next to it (blocked out in red) is where we will have break out rooms during the conference.
