The Hatch Student Living Story
Our Whakapapa
1977
The campaign begins
More than four decades ago, in 1977, a public meeting was held in Hamilton to raise funds to provide accommodation for rural students attend what was then Waikato Technical Institute.
Led by the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers (now Rural Women NZ), a four-year fundraising campaign begins to raise funds to provide accommodation for rural students attending Waikato Technical Institute.
1983
Student village opens
The campaign gained widespread community support, sufficient for the government of the day to subsidise the community funds raised to build the Waikato Technical Institute Student Village on Collingwood St. The Student Village officially opened on 15 March 1983, and it was believed to be the first student halls of residence to be associated with any technical institute in New Zealand.
A charitable trust (Waikato Polytechnic Student Residence Trust Board) was established to run the student accommodation.
2015
Wintec apartments is created
Together with Wintec, in 2015, a new hall of residence – Wintec Apartments – was established by the Trust for more mature students. This coincided with significant numbers of international students enrolling at Wintec. The Apartments accommodates between one third and two thirds international students.
2017
Eco Village opens
Eco Village at Rotokauri Campus becomes third accommodation facility.
2020
Winner of Not-For-Profit Award
Winner of the Not-for-profit Award at the 2020 Waikato Business Awards