Affordable Eats at Pipitea: What Are Students Paying For?

Part one of a three-part opinion series exploring affordable food options on campus at Te Herenga Waka

Pipitea—the quiet campus where law students lock in. But after their third “break” walk around campus, somewhere between readings on tort law and Donoghue v Stevenson, where do they stop to grab a snack? And more importantly, where is the most affordable? 

Admittedly, upon arrival there was very little on offer. There was, of course, the ever-looming presence on campus—The Lab—and the dysfunctional vending machines that our editor Phoebe loves so much. But that was about it. It seemed many students were seeking their eats elsewhere.

Speaking with students on campus, It quickly became clear that the lack of good, affordable food options was disappointing. 

Many students I interviewed said they avoid buying food on campus. 

As one put it, “It’s just cheaper” to either bring food from home or head somewhere nearby. 

Several mentioned walking down to the Lambton Quay food court for more affordable options. As one interviewee put it: “Honestly the best stop is Lambton Square eatery, there’s no good options closer.” Following it up with “We’re starved of the will to live and nutritious meals down here.”

Still, plenty of students do grab something quick between classes. I myself bought a $13 Lab chicken bap, standing in a line bustling with students getting their third coffee of the day. The Lab remains a campus favourite despite its somewhat overpriced menu. Its monopoly on Pipitea Campus largely stems from a simple fact: it’s the only option available. 

Other students I talked to mentioned familiar fast options like McDonald’s or Subway when they want something quick and predictable. These offered more bang for your buck, although several students admitted to feeling morally torn about buying fast food over local options. Vending machines, however, still seem to be the biggest fallback when hunger strikes on campus. 

Food trucks appear regularly outside of campus and near the train station, though they’re not always the cheapest option. Paying $18 for a souvlaki hardly felt bearable, and the sushi stall next door didn’t offer any cheaper alternatives. 

One law student adamantly disagreed with me here, stating that The Greek Food Truck was “the best meal you can get at any campus.” Though, they did admit to the steep price. 

One outlier in the price conversation was Sakura Sushi, where students highlighted a $13.50 chicken katsu rice special as one of the better-value meals available. Situated just off of campus on Molesworth Street, students pointed to it as a rare example of something that felt reasonably priced. That reputation was evident in the number of Sakura bowls scattered around campus. When I visited, a large gaggle of students sat in the sun eating their Sakura bowls while soaking in the rays. 

Overall, Pipitea’s affordability options were limited. On campus, the choice often came down to an overpriced matcha from The Lab or an array of vending machines slowly falling into disrepair. It’s no wonder students prefer to bring food from home or seek out fast food from the surrounding area. Unfortunately, Pipitea simply doesn’t have enough options to truly measure up—and as a result, in this author's opinion, it falls behind when compared to other campuses.