Mentors

Benefits of mentoring

University is an exciting yet challenging time – meeting new people and making friends, learning new skills and dealing with new pressures. Even the simplest things like finding your way around campus can be a big task. Who knows uni life better than anyone else? Other students of course! That's why student mentors make a huge difference. 

What is a student mentor?

Your student mentor will be a student who has completed first year. They can answer your questions and help you settle into university life – from general study tips and great places to eat to where to go if you need support.

Mentoring programmes at UC

UC Mentoring Programme

When you join the programme, you will be matched with a UC Mentor based on your preferences. Your mentor will help you to access the services on campus and can be someone you can talk to about your experiences and studies. Our mentors have a range of backgrounds from first in family to study at uni, to PhD, domestic and international. 

Māori Leadership Programme

UC Māori offers mentoring for all ākonga Māori new to UC. Our Tuākana are trained and supported by our office. If you are a first year UC Māori student, you will be paired up with one of our Māori Tuākana/Mentors. Tuākana/Mentors are trained by the Māori Development Team based on the Tuākana/Tēina Relationship, an integral part of traditional Māori culture. You don’t need to be able to speak Te Reo Māori or be studying Māori to take up this opportunity.

Sign up for a mentor:

UniLife – group mentoring for new-to-UC students not living in the halls

UniLife is a year-long social mentoring programme, run by students for students. We are here to help you find your feet at UC, meet other students, make friends, and have fun exploring together what UC has to offer. No matter whether you are fresh out of high school, an international student new to Aotearoa New Zealand, a mature student here for a career change, or embarking on your postgrad journey, UniLife is the place for you! Our fabulous team of Kaitaki Ākonga | Student Leaders know just too well how hard it can be to navigate uni and they are looking forward to sharing their own experience and hacks to give you the best possible start to your personal UC journey. Find out more on the UniLife website!

Faculty based and club mentoring

There are mentoring programmes in some faculties too, like EngMe and LawMe, so be sure to ask your student advisor what's on offer through the department. Many of the UCSA clubs offer mentoring and buddying so check there too!

Become a student mentor

A small time commitment can make a big difference in a new student’s experience at UC. It’s a great chance to meet new people, develop your leadership and communication skills, and it looks great on your CV. Training will be provided before the start of semester with further training opportunities and networking during the year.

As a mentor, you will be involved in meeting with new students (individually and in groups) to help them become established on campus. Throughout the year, you would have the opportunity to guide and support students who may be new to university or even new to New Zealand.