Facilities
Shuttle and Transport
The hall runs a regular, free shuttle service to the Kelburn Campus (5km away) thorughout the day and the trip takes about 10-15 minutes each way. Many of our residents choose to walk to university and catch a ride home at night, while some enjoy biking. The local bus service is excellent, with a variety of concessions offered. The hall is a short bus ride from the city and the Kelburn, Te Aro and Pipitea university campuses.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings there are 'after midnight' buses.
Games Room
The games room beneath Nicolette House has a pool table, table tennis, and an air hockey table. It also has a TV and DVD player. In the foyer this is a foosball (soccer) table. Volleyball and basketball can be played in the courtyard.
Gym
We have a private gym on-site so residents can work out. There are both cardio and strength training machines. Residents are issued a separate key for access to the gym once they have undergone a safety briefing.
Computer Room
The hall provides a computer suite with five PCs and there are two more in the upstairs lounge. We ask residents to save work they do on a USB drive, and we expect them to be committed to protecting software from viruses and other malicious programmes. In times of high use, computers can be booked. Free internet access is available on all PCs and the office can print the final copy of your assignment for free.
Broadband Internet
Every room is connected to the internet through our provider, Vistagate. Residents can sign up online when connected to the internet network and 'top up' at the office. The system works on a pre-paid basis. The cost is $20 a month and there are a number of data plans to choose from. If you go over your cap, simply top up again. The speed is up to 24Mbit. Wireless internet is also available around the hall, including in the lounge and dining room.
Bikes and Cars
There is a shed to store bikes, surfboards or any other large gear. We have an area for off-street parking for residents at no extra charge.
Equipment
There is a drawing board and a photocopier for residents to use at no charge. Faxes can be sent and received from the office. We have a sewing machine, board games, a Playstation 2 and a big screen projector for blockbuster movies and sport. There is a United Video store in Karori Mall (5 mins walk away).
Community Facilities
The hall is close to Karori Park, tennis courts, Wrights Hill lookout, Makara Peak mountain bike park, the Karori indoor public pool and the local recreation centre. Karori also has a small mall with two supermarkets, a pharmacy, a cafe and a bookshop. There are a number of banks in the area, and a local library.
Mail is placed in individual pidgeonholes in the main foyer and parcels are kept in the office for collection. There is a post office near Karori Mall, or residents can leave stamped mail in the office for postage. Mail should be addressed to residents at:
(Resident's name)Helen Lowry Hall
19 Blakey Avenue
Karori
Wellington 6012
New Zealand
Phone
Residents can be contacted by calling (04) 476 8920 and then dialing the 3-digit extension for the resident's room. Residents can make free local calls from the phone in their room and the office sells Kia-ora calling cards.
