“3.12 Residential : It is also recommended that a long-term residential strategy
be considered by the University, that allows for an increase
in the number of second and later year undergraduates
returning to colleges and for the admission of first year
Dunedin residents, as reinforcement of the ‘student
experience’ that forms part of the University’s competitive
advantage.” The Dunedin Master Plan Frameworks p.68

Backers say scheme will improve student housing

For the first time in I don’t know how long, OUSA is advertising Orientation Week (ORI10) without using a humorous popular culture reference. A wonderful collection of them can be viewed at Poppa’s Pizza on Albany Street opposite the University Library.

This year its a digitally rendered view of the corner of Frederick and Clyde Streets, showing student flats. Known named flats, Hyde Street RSA and Pink Flat the Door, are featured, the former two with their names intact.

The Student wept like anything to feel starvation dire.

“If I don’t get a feed,” he said, “I really shall expire.”

“Seven deaths in seven months will ruin me,” she cried.

“You wouldn’t care,” the Student said, “if I lay down and died.”

“What nonsense!” said the Landlady, “do you think I’ve got no pride?”

The Student and the Landlady are bitter foes you know;

The Student wept like anything because she bade him go.

“How cruel it is, ” the Student said, “to deal me such a blow.

Seven shifts in seven weeks I really can’t afford;

But pack my books and shirts and things I’ll go and hire a Ford

“I doubt it,” said the Landlady, “unless you pay your board.”

In the habit of students / ODT 27.02.10

Most landlord’s and agencies get this tradition and are keen for you to have a good time at Otago. In some cases it’s possibly a key reason they get tenants … If they haven’t heard about flat naming you can always point them to this site so they can see where legends have begun

trivia questions

Jim Mora reminisces about the original Tui on Albany St in the 1970s in a Critic retrospective of 80 years writing editorial. (Note Jim also lived in a couple of named flats “Nightmare Abbey” and “Free Latvia.)

Roi Colbert, writer, commentator on music and anything he feels like, and  ex-proprietor of Records Records, reflects on Orientation Week and recalls unflattering memories of Tui Takeaways.

The OUSA Fish N Chip Review which was initiated in 2000, reported on nine different establishments in 2005. Gruesome descriptions of the age of the oil used wouldn’t entice me back, even if the place was still open even for a game of Devastators or Mortal Kombat. Needless to say,Tui didn’t win the cup.

Joe Tui features first in Fighting Talk’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2005, “A surprise selection, perhaps, not least because of the regionally-specific nature of Tui’s operations. Owner-operator of Tui’s takeaways in Dunedin, ‘Mr. Tui’ as he is affectionately known to his patrons, is the dominant force in the underground fish ‘n chips market in the Otago region. Tui has been feeding drunken Dunedin students for many years now as they make the fabled trek across the road from the Captain Cook Tavern to stuff their faces on chunky greasy goodness. One could say Tui is feeding the future face of the nation. And with rumours circulating of an impending Tui’s franchise with tentacles reaching into the North Island, this man may be set to grasp culinary power on an unprecedented scale.”

The Joe Tui club was created in 2006 in New Plymouth. “FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF OTAGO ALUMNI, JOE TUI’S name is legendary, synonymous with late nights and fast food. The latest incarnation of Tui’s café has recently closed, but the name lives on in New Plymouth, where the Spotswood College Joe Tui Club continues to induct Otago graduates into its inner circle as they join the college staff.” University of Otago Magazine, Issue 14, June 2006, 47

After Kim Chin’s death in 2002 an obituary was published in the University of Otago Magazine, ‘Remembering Jo Tui” University of Otago Magazine, Issue 3, October 2002, 40-41.

Some Tui related links

Fond farewell to ‘chips and stuff’ Critic 2006, by Jon Ong

Dunedin icon closes its doors Critic 2006, by Dave Taine

Tui’s Takeaways Memorial group on Facebook

I’ve taken the Tui Challange group on Facebook

The documentary focuses on housing conditions and health effects of poor housing conditions. Emma also speaks with Sid Brown, Dep Mayor of Dunedin about the tertiary precinct strategy. There’s a short segment on named flats and some great quotes from students about the reasons they choose to live in cold grotty flats.

Five-star student flats on the way