Orientation at the University of Auckland

Some local Maori students perform the Haka for incoming international students

February is just around the corner, which means, for students in New Zealand, summer is ending and a new school year is about to begin. And like any other tertiary institution, the University of Auckland starts the year with Orientation Week. Let me guide you through it.

With other Filipinos in Auckland Uni. Yes, I was the only thorn among the roses (the other, Mike, was based in Tamaki).

Orientation Week started with me meeting other Filipino postgrad students at the Owen G. Glenn Building of the Business School. Aside from NZAS scholars, I learned that the ADB and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) also sent students to New Zealand. 

Joan and I are both lawyers. She took up LLM while I took up PGDip in Development Studies.

The first day is the orientation for international students (both undergrad and postgrad). Before entering the auditorium, we were greeted by the traditional Haka dance performed by local Maori students. Nothing to be scared about. They don't actually hurt you. Haha. Afterwards, we were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor--the highest ranking official of the university.

We're all given goody bags filled with pamphlets and flyers.

In the auditorium, Rebecca Wilkinton (the International Office Director) oriented us on what to expect in the coming year. 

That's Rebecca standing in front.

Yada-yada-yada. Lot's of talking. Don't worry about it. Anyway, after the international students orientation, there'll be the postgraduate students orientation and the respective faculty (arts, business, law, etc.) international students orientation. They're all pretty much the same, and from experience, you don't have to attend all. Kahit isa lang attend mo, okay na.

The Uni Guide is on the right (not the guy on the left).

Okay, what else? Ah yes, through out the week, students wearing red, called the Uni Guides, will take you on a tour of the buildings and facilities in campus. To be honest, I did not go on one. I was busy applying for my student ID at the International Students Office and opening a bank account at the nearby ANZ branch. But if you feel you want to, then go ahead. You can join any Uni Guide tour at any time of the day.

What I do recommend is to attend the library-sponsored workshops because they are informative and educational--especially for people like me who were unfamiliar with 21st century academic research. If you're not able to make the first seminar, do not worry. They hold the same seminar several times in the first month. Attend as much as you can. They have the general library orientation, one in IT access, another in using databases, then one on thesis drafting.  

That's pretty much it. Just to summarize, you can attend just one of the general orientation talks since they'll all say the same thing. But, I strongly recommend you attend all of the library-sponsored workshops because they are very informative.

PS: The guy next to me above is Brian Lythe. Yes, that guy you're exchanging emails right now. That's how he looks like.  Cool yan. :)

NZ Apps for your iPhone

When in Auckland, I recommend you download these apps on your iPhone for your survival:

a. NewZealand

This one's a Korean app, but it's helpful in providing the basic info on New Zealand like transport and food options.

b. AucklandUni

The AucklandUni app is a must for those studying at the University of Auckland. For first timers, the app has a built-in map of all 4 campuses so you can find your way. The app also has a course list so you can browse through the different courses if you want to switch after your first week. It also updates you on news about and around the university.

c. UoA Library

The UoA Library app is a must. You can search the library catalogue for books and articles. But the thing that I like the most out of this app is that you can book (or reserve) a PC at the Kate Edger Information Commons, so you don't look like an idiot roaming each floor for an unoccupied cubicle.

d. iStudiez Pro

iStudiez Pro is a cool calendar app for students. It'll keep track of your assignments and remind you of your deadlines.

e. itravelNZ

itravelNZ is another travel guide app. I used it to find out attractions and activities of a certain place in New Zealand.

f. Tap To Track, Envelopes, DailyCost

Tap to Track, Envelopes and DailyCost are budgeting apps. Students on a tight budget need to download any one of these apps to keep track of their expenses and stay under budget. These three have been very helpful to me, Envelopes the most because it uses the "old-school" envelope method I am used to.

g. AT Public Transport

If you have to commute to and from school then this journey planner app is for you. The AT Public Transport app will help you find the nearest bus stop and give you the most convenient bus schedules. I wrote about how to use this app in a previous post. Check it out here.

So these are the app essentials to make your stay in Auckland more convenient and comfortable. Good luck!

The Post-Graduate Centre

Arts Graduate Centre at the Human Sciences Building

Unlike in the University of the Philippines where students of the College of Law are secluded from undergraduates with all their classrooms in Malcolm Hall, postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland is different. Postgraduate students share the general library, the Kate Edger Information Commons, and classrooms with undergraduates. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that it makes it harder for postgraduate students to study. It's hard to find a vacant cubicle. It's hard to concentrate with all the noise and the movement.

But don't you worry. Each faculty (or school) has its own computer lab exclusively for its postgraduate students. A student has to have a key card to enter. No card, no entry. Each lab, aptly called the postgraduate centre, houses just the right number of computers, photocopiers and scanners. A lab has its own toilets and pantry area.

Inside the Arts Graduate Centre

The degree I took was under the Faculty of Arts. Our lab was located at the ground level of the Human Sciences Building. The computers are fast. There are more than enough (except during deadline or finals week). And most important, the lab is a quiet zone. 

So if you find yourself not able to concentrate at the library or Kate Edger Information Commons because of the hustle and bustle, why don't you visit your faculty's postgraduate centre? 

Happy studying!

Where to Eat in Auckland Part 2

A few months ago I wrote about international fast food chains present in Auckland. I was supposed to follow it up with another post on local fast food chains, but other things kept me pre-occupied. So here finally is my second list of where to eat in Auckland. In no particular order:

  a. Burger Fuel
  b. Burger Wisconsin
  c. Mexicali
  d. Sal's
  e. Fritz's Wieners
  f.  St. Pierre's Sushi
  g. Tank
  h. Others: Hansan, Elliot Stables, Tony's

New Zealand has its own share of home-grown fast food joints. I frequent these when I am bored eating at Mcdonalds or Pizza Hut.

Burger Fuel

First on the list is Burger Fuel. It is a local hamburger fast food chain. Think of it as Brothers Burger back home in Manila. They're supposed to be designer burgers and therefore a bit more expensive than Mcdonalds and Burger King.

Nothing really special. Parang Brother Burger lang.

It is what it is. It tastes like a Brothers Burger burger. One thing different is that Kiwis like to put guacamole (AKA avocado) in almost anything, including burgers. So, go to Burger Fuel if you want to taste avocado in your burger.

They have Burger Fuel all over Auckland. They have one in Metro center on Queen Street, and another one along Customs Street near Britomart. A standard burger combo would set you back about NZ$12.

Burger Wisconsin

Another local burger with avocado. Wala naman lasa.

Interestingly, the other local burger chain is named after an American State. Burger Wisconsin is another hamburger fast food restaurant. It too is like Brothers Burger, but slightly 'more designer'--if there is such a term, and ergo more expensive.

Burger Wisconsin outlets are fewer than Burger Fuel. In fact, there is no Burger Wisconsin in the CBD. I had to take the bus to Ponsonby to sample their burger. The other closest store would be at Onehunga. Although the burgers taste better than Burger Fuel, it is not worth the effort (and the bus fare) to go to a Burger Wisconsin branch. Eat here only if you are in the area.

A standard burger combo will set you back around NZ$16.

Mexicali

There used to be two Tex-Mex fast food joints in the city, but California Burrito closed shop late 2013, leaving Mexicali the last man standing. I love tacos and burritos, and Mexicali does not disappoint. Meals are a bit more expensive than Mcdonalds value meals, but I eat here when I'm bored with burgers. The tacos  and burritos taste fresh. It's like Chihuahua in Greenbelt 3. The mini burrito costs NZ$9.95 while a regular burrito is NZ$12.99. The mini one is enough for me. Plus they have a frequent customer card that actually comes in handy. You earn points every time you buy and after some time you get enough to pay for a taco. And they award you with a free burrito on your birth month. Sweet deal if you ask me.

There are two Mexicalis in the CBD. One is located at the Viaduct center near Quay Street. While the other one is along K Road. Both are about a 10 minute walk from City Campus, but the trip is worth it.

Sal's Pizza

My friend Grace and Sal's Pepperoni and Cheese half-and-half pizza.

Above tacos and burritos, I love pizza. And Sal's makes delicious pizza. It's like Sbarro but better--much, much better. At a time when Shakey's and Pizza Hut scrimp on tomato sauce, Sal's does the opposite--smothering the pizza with lots of juicy and tangy tomato sauce before laying the cheese. And while Sbarro tends to undercook its pizzas, Sal's makes sure their pizzas are just right and crispy. 

A slice of Sal's cheese pizza is NZ$4, while a pepperoni would set you back NZ$5. If you're eating as a group, better order a whole pizza since it will come out cheaper.

Sal's began to spread like mushrooms in 2013. There's a Sal's across the Civic Centre on Queen Street. There's another on Commerce Street. And the one I frequent is near Parnell, just a 5 minute walk from Unilodge or Carlaw Park.

Fritz's Wieners

If you like sausages, then this is where Fritz's Wieners comes in. They serve European sausages in kiosks scattered around the city (there's one along Elliot Street, near the reverse bungee jump; and another along the viaduct centre).

They keep it really simple. There's a mild sausage and there's a spicy sausage. And you can ask them to put fried onions and/or sauerkraut to your sandwich. They retail for NZ$7. I have one when I'm in a hurry.

St. Pierre's Sushi

For some reason, Kiwis love sushi. They have independent mom & pop sushi stores all over the city. But there is a chain named St. Pierre, and I go here if I want to eat sushi. 

I have to say, even if they're only kiosks, they make good sushi--way, way better than the ones sold by their counterparts in Manila like Teriyaki Boy and the like. St. Pierre makes the sushi right in front of you, and I think with the freshest ingredients because the product tastes fresh. The cheapest value pack (4 rolls) will cost you NZ$4.99. My personal favorite is salmon and avocado. Mmmmm, yummy. Just thinking about it makes me want to hop on a plane back to Auckland. For those who don't like their lunch in a seaweed roll, St. Pierre also sells Teriyaki Chicken on rice and Miso soup.

You won't have a problem looking for a St. Pierre shop around the city. Just look for the bright yellow sign.

Tank

Tank is not really fast food, but it is homegrown. It is the Kiwi's version of Jamba Juice or Big Chill. There's nothing else to say, really, except that the drinks are expensive. NZ$5 for a small cup?! Too expensive for juice. But if healthy is your thing, I'm just saying, they have Tank over here.

Other Local Restaurants

Hansan

Again, Hansan is not technically fast food, but I'll write about it since we are talking about where to eat in Auckland. It's like Pho Hoa or Pho 24. If you want to eat pho or vietnamese rice noodle soup, I recommend Hansan. They have big servings, which you can actually split in two if you want to. Tastes authentic, even though the operators are Korean and not Vietnamese. A bowl of piping hot raw beef pho will cost you NZ$12. There are other combinations. My favorite is the beef steak and pho combination because I only finish one steak and take home the other for dinner.

There is a Hansan branch on Kitchener Street just across Albert Park. It's very near City Campus.

Elliot Stables

Not fast food, but another alternative to eat in town is Elliot Stables. It's actually more of a food court than a restaurant. It's an upscale food court serving different types of food. They have artisanal pizza and european sausages to name a few. 

Tony's

New Zealand is famous for its meat. So you have a lot of steak houses around the city, but they are expensive. A standard steak meal will set you back around NZ$35. The cheapest set I found was a lunch special at Tony's Steak & Seafood on Wellesley Street. The special included rump steak, coleslaw and chips for NZ$16. Believe me this is the cheapest. Pretty good, but if I were you, you're better off cooking your own steak. You can buy two pieces of Angus rump steak for less than NZ$10 at Countdown, which could last you two dinners!

There are two Tony's Steak restaurants in the CBD. The lunch special I talked about is at the one located on Wellesley Street. The other Tony's is on Lorne Street.

So there's my list. If you cook at home, all the better. You will save a lot. But from time to time, do eat outside and sample what Auckland restaurants and fast food joints have to offer.

Happy Eating!

Trust is a big thing for Kiwis

Of all things to miss in New Zealand, what I miss the most is the high regard for TRUST amongst Kiwi Society. Sure, I miss the clean public parks, the beautiful scenery, and the cool weather, but above all, I miss the way Kiwis trust each other--a virtue missing among us Filipinos, which makes our lives more difficult.

Let me explain with a few examples.

Trust in restaurants and eateries

Although most restaurants have servers, Kiwis don't ask for the bill from the table. Restaurant owners trust their customers to leave servers alone, approach the cashier, and settle the bill by themselves. This makes the lives of waiters so much easier as they do not have to worry about money and payment. They can just concentrate on taking orders and serving dishes.

Hindi uubra ang ganitong sistema sa Pilipinas. If it was our local restaurant policy, I am sure many customers will try to sneak out and avoid paying. Hindi katulad sa New Zealand, you can't expect restaurant owners to trust their customers here in the Philippines. And that's why the whole process of dining here takes longer.

Trust in local elections
I was surprised to learn that the manner of voting in local elections in Auckland is by mail. I found out that the local commission on elections sends blank ballots to the residential addresses of voters. Then the voters are given a period to fill in the ballots and mail them back to the commission for tallying. Simple as that. People trust government to implement such a voting system, and in turn, the government trusts its people to be honest in voting. It's very admirable.

In my opinion, this manner of voting will not work in the Philippines. I can think of a hundred ways how local politicians can take advantage of such a system. The easiest would be to buy the ballots directly from the voters, fill in the desired candidates, and then mail it to the commission. It's so easy to cheat! And I am sure many Filipino voters will be more than willing to sell their ballots.

But cynical as I may sound, I do hope that someday, we Filipinos restore that level of trust other societies enjoy.