Rooms & Facilities

Our rooms are categorised as follows: Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Premium and Super-Premium rooms. The difference between the room categories is primarily the room size. If you can handle living in a small room and want to save money, then a Standard 1 or Standard 2 room could be for you. If you would prefer a more spacious room, then a Standard 3 or Premium room would be your choice. The Super-Premium rooms were previously used as twin-share rooms so are very spacious and include a top-mounted freezer with the standard refrigerator. Other factors which distinguish the room categories, apart from size, include the amount of sun the room receives and the quality of the view out of the windows. All of the rooms come with a divan bed with 3 drawers and a mattress. Most students bring their own bedding, pillow and linen, however, there are bed-packs available for purchase before your arrival (particularly helpful for international students). Shelves, a medicine cabinet, a wardrobe, study desk, a chair, a small fridge and heater are also provided. Rooms also have a multi-plug, laundry basket, rubbish bin and a cable to connect to the internet, however wireless internet is also available in all rooms. Updated room photos will be uploaded to this section early next year (2020). Until then please view room photos in the Photo Gallery and the Information Booklet.

The Main House (Keiller House) is home to 44 residents and has common areas including a study/computer/printing room, a large games room, a lounge and dining room and a kitchen.  The Cottages comprise 4 separate residential units with 9-10 residents in each.  A separate building next to these residential units contains a large lounge, dining room, kitchen and a smaller study/computer room. Rooms in the Cottages tend to be quieter than those in the House due to the construction of the units and having less residents in any one building.

One of the many reasons people choose Fergusson Hall is the convenience. It’s only a 10-minute walk to the University, making it easy to pop home for lunch or dash back if you’ve forgotten your assignment. Also, many of the extra costs associated with flatting are included in your rent (for example, your electricity/gas bills and bedroom and study related furnishings). All you have to do is turn up at the start of the year, pay your rent and plan what you’re going to have for dinner.

Fergusson Hall is located next to Massey University’s Manawatū Campus. Central Palmerston North and the all important supermarkets are a bit further away.
Your travel options are:

• Ferg runs free van trips to the supermarket twice per week and to the Saturday morning fruit/vege market – these are great ways to get your food supplies.
• Ferg van trips to pick up students from late night labs and also van trips into town on Thursday or Saturday nights.
• By car – great if you own one, if not there’s usually someone you can get a ride with.
• Motorbike or scooter – cheaper than a car but with limited carrying space.
• Bus service – Free for students and the bus stops are very close by.
• Bicycle – Palmerston North is a bicycle friendly city with its flat terrain and low traffic volumes.

Cooking your own meals not only saves you money, it means you get to eat what you want when you want it. Our large kitchens are also great places to get to know other residents and learn some new cooking skills or recipe ideas. The Hall provides appliances such as microwaves, gas hobs, ovens, toasters and electric jugs. Residents bring their own crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans.  There are lockable cupboards and drawers for each resident to store cooking equipment and food.

The laundry contains six ‘free to use’ washing machines and four ‘$2 per hour’ dryers. The laundry also has an iron and ironing board. There are three washing lines by the Cottages, three by the House, and two undercover lines.

The House and Cottages each have their own dining room and lounge. The Cottages have the largest lounge and this provides the venue for Hall meetings and events such as Hall soup nights, movie nights and dessert competitions.

The Hall has two study rooms, the largest being in the House.  Both study rooms have computers with free internet access and Microsoft Office programmes installed for work on assignments.  There is a printer/scanner/photocopier in the House study room.  A music activities room is often used for group study or as an alternative place for personal study or relaxing with a good book. All bedrooms have internet ports and wireless internet available throughout the hall. See Inspire Prepay for internet pricing.

During the Academic year (Mid-February to Mid-November) Fergusson Hall caters for Domestic and International Massey students from 17-23 years old. You will meet a diverse range of people from all walks of life at Ferg. Friends that people make during their stay at Ferg are often friends they keep for life. Another plus is that there are always people on hand to help you out. If you’re having issues with your computer, most likely there will be an expert available to fix the problem. If a maths assignment is giving you a headache, chances are someone will have done it the previous year and can give you some assistance. Students often team up into study groups (especially the Vet students) and The Head of Hall and RA’s can help you set up study groups if you need a hand.

A garage/workshop area is available for students to use for various projects. There is also a lockable bike shed and an additional lockable room for more expensive bikes or sporting equipment.  The Hall’s extensive grounds contain a sports field, sand volleyball court, basketball hoop, BBQ area and spaces to enjoy the sun and gardens.