The Ōtautahi Student Accommodation Forum brings together stakeholders from education, government, and the private sector to explore trends, share insights, and consider ways to collaborate for the future of student housing. This collaborative one-day event will build connections across accommodation providers and organisations, explore the feasibility of an ongoing coordination platform, and feature speakers providing broader context and fresh perspectives. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, stronger networks, and a deeper understanding of how to support the region’s student housing needs.
Be part of shaping the future of student accommodation in Ōtautahi - don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and innovate.
EXPLORE
TRENDS
Hear from students, education providers, experienced practitioners to discover emerging student accommodation trends shaping design, wellbeing, sustainability, and evolving expectations across diverse communities.
SHARE
INSIGHTS
Exchange experiences, lessons learned, and practical ideas to strengthen approaches and improve student outcomes, following initial insights from Geoff Denison, President of the ground-breaking Student
Accommodation Association (SAA) of Australia
STRONGER
NETWORKS
Build meaningful connections with peers, fostering relationships that support collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and long-term professional growth.
WAYS TO
COLLABORATE
Identify opportunities to partner, co-create solutions, and work together to address shared challenges across the sector.
10:00 AM
10:15 AM
Carl Davidson - Social Scientist
Carl Davidson is one of New Zealand’s best-known social scientists. In 2023 he was made a Fellow of the Research Association of New Zealand and a Global Insight250 winner, an international award celebrating worldwide pioneers, leaders and innovators in market research, data-driven marketing, and insights. Carl’s career stretches over 30 years and includes stints as an academic, practitioner, and author. He is also a Senior Adjunct Fellow at the University of Canterbury’s Business School.
10:30 AM
This panel session will explore the current experiences and future needs of students across a range of perspectives, including adult learners, international students, and families. Through lived experience and open discussion, panelists will share insights into the challenges, expectations, and opportunities shaping the future of education and student support.
11:10 AM
This session will examine the growing demand for student accommodation, exploring the current landscape, key market pressures, and the factors driving future development. Greg and Hamish will share insights into student housing trends, evolving learner needs, and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector as demand continues to increase.
11:45 AM
Geoff Denison - President, Student Accommodation Association of Australia
Geoff is the sitting President of the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) of Australia and Director of Accommodation at Adelaide University.
Established in 2018, the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) in consultation with the sector has developed the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), a robust set of minimum industry standards that distinguishes quality student accommodation from other accommodation in Australia to help students make an informed accommodation choice.
As one of the founding SAA National Committee members, Geoff has been on the NPAS journey from concept design, through program implementation and has watched the NPAS accredited property portfolio grow to over 23,000 student accommodation beds nationally.
12:30 PM
1:15 PM
What does a high-functioning student accommodation system look like in Christchurch?
• Student experience: affordability, wellbeing, safety, community
• Supply: enough beds, right locations, diverse options
• Quality: design, standards, management
• System performance: speed, coordination, sustainability
What’s stopping this today?
• Regulation & planning
• Funding & feasibility
• Delivery constraints (land, build, timelines)
• Misaligned incentives
• Poor coordination / information gaps
Which gaps matter most?
2:15 PM
Each group shares:
• 1 “good” insight
• 1 priority gap
2:30 PM
How do we close the gaps?
What can each group do differently?
• Education providers:
• Private sector:
• Government/regulators:
• Funders/investors:
• Students:
What requires joint effort?
Focus on:
• Partnerships / new delivery models
• Policy or regulatory shifts
• Funding approaches
• Data sharing / coordination
What happens first, and who leads?
3:30 PM
• Where is there strongest alignment?
• Where are the tensions?
• What is realistically doable in 12–24 months?
3:45 PM
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