About us

Unipol isn't just a fun place to work out, it's a great place to work, with flexible hours around your study timetable. We are one of the largest employers on campus with over 150+ students hired annually. We're are always on the lookout for friendly students who are intuitive, reliable and committed with a passion for recreation.

Part-time student positions are available in the following areas:

Recreation Fitness Leaders; Recreation Fitness Programmes
Referees; Social Sport/Inter-College Sport
Group Fitness Instructors; Group Fitness

Hiring process

Unipol welcomes applications during the designated recruitment periods listed below. Once the period opens, our online applications open. At that time you are asked to complete the online application and submit your resume.

The following positions require completion of a Unipol course: Group Fitness Instructor & Fitness Leader. When applying for one of these positions, please note that you will need to be available for the relevant course date.

Student Recreation Assistants are selected from our pool of Group Fitness Instructors, Fitness Leaders and Sport Referees.

Positions available

Programme area	Positions	Applications considered from	Applications close	Link to apply
Group Fitness	Group Fitness Instructor* - *all Group Fitness Instructors are also Student Recreation Assistants Courses run during the year, register your interest now.	Now	never close	Apply here
Fitness	*Recreation Fitness Leaders -** *all Fitness Leaders are also Student Recreation Assistants All training provided, register your interest now.	February 2025	November 2025	Apply here
Sports	Inter-College Competition Referee (Inc. College Sports Day) Social Sport Referee Sports Medic	January 2025	October 2025	Apply here

Programme area

Positions

Applications considered from

Applications close

Link to apply

Group Fitness

Group Fitness Instructor* -

*all Group Fitness Instructors are also Student Recreation Assistants

Courses run during the year, register your interest now.

Now

never close

Apply here

Fitness

Recreation Fitness Leaders* -

*all Fitness Leaders are also Student Recreation Assistants

All training provided, register your interest now.

February 2025

November 2025

Apply here

Sports

Inter-College Competition Referee (Inc. College Sports Day)

Social Sport Referee

Sports Medic

January 2025

October 2025

Apply here

Position descriptions are listed below.

Please note that application acceptance is dependent on staffing requirements at the given time.

Recreation Fitness Leaders – Recreation Fitness Programmes

Recreation Fitness Leaders are responsible for designing safe and effective exercise programmes for users of the facility, providing general exercise/recreation advice and education for clients. We are interested in applications from second year Physical Education and Physio students (who as part of their degree are studying exercise prescription) and those who have a genuine interest in helping people achieve their health, fitness and wellbeing goals.

Find out more about Recreation Fitness Programmes

Referees – Social Sport/Inter-College Sport

Specialising in the provision of recreational sport, we aim to make campus sporting experiences more enjoyable.

Referees are required each year to assist in the running of the Social Sportand Inter-college sport programme.

If you are interested in refereeing, please come in and see us with the completed referee form below.

Find out more about our Social Sport programme

Find out more about Inter-college Sport

Group Fitness Instructors - Group Fitness

Group Fitness Instructors are recruited from those who successfully complete a training course which highlights the basic principles of teaching group fitness classes at Unipol Recreation Services.

Individuals who successfully complete and pass auditions following the course will undergo further training in specific class areas.

Find out more about becoming a group fitness instructor

Permanent positions:

When available, job vacancies are listed in the Human Resources section of the University of Otago website:

Employment and job vacancies at the University of Otago

Our policies

Photography/filming policy

No filming or photography is to occur inside Unipol without approval.

If you wish to film or take photos inside Unipol please ask at Unipol reception in the first instance or contact us by email:

Email recreation@otago.ac.nz

All photography/filming must be done using care for the participants.

If participants are identified in any shot, their permission must be obtained.

Participants have the right to decline being in any shot.

No use of cameras or phones in the change rooms.

All media requests should be directed to the Communications Office:

Email mc@otago.ac.nz

Shoes

Closed-toe shoes are recommended to be worn in the facility at all times.

Health and Safety

Please report any health and safety issues in first instance to the Recreation Services staff.

There are 2 defibrillators on site, close to reception and on the mezzanine floor. All staff are trained to respond as first aiders.

Ice is located at reception.

If in doubt please make contact at reception.

Lost Property

Please ask reception if you have lost an item. All items left at Unipol that are turned into a staff member will be kept for 2 weeks. If the item is not claimed and picked up by the owner within 2 weeks of it being found, then the item will be donated. If the item is found by a Unipol Staff member on a sports field or at an external facility, it will be returned to Unipol.

Lockers are available from reception. It is strongly advised that lockers are used to secure valuables within the facility. Any CCTV camera footage requests will be directed to the Proctor's office

Chalk

We do not allow any chalk inside our facility.

How do I get access to Unipol?

Entry into Unipol is free for current University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students with presentation of their valid ID card*. It is also available for use by University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic staff and their whānau and friends with a Unipol membership card or casual entry fee.

*Eligibilty is determined by payment of Student Services Fees.

How old do I have to be to use the weights/cardio room?

15 years of age.

What happens if I forget my student ID card?

If you forget to bring your student ID card when visiting you will be required to pay the casual fee to gain access however you are entitled to reimbursement if you return with the signed receipt and ID card within 7 days.

How do I get a locker key?

Locker keys are available at reception by swapping your valid student ID card, or you can use the keyless lockers in the changing rooms. Lockers are free and we suggest you lock your personal gear safely away while using the facility. Lockers are available only while you are using the facility.

What equipment can I get with my ID card at reception?

We have locker keys, basketballs, volleyballs, futsals, pool equipment, badminton racquets, table tennis equipment and various gym equipment which is available for use by swapping your ID card. One ID card is required per piece of equipment. If more than one piece of equipment is borrowed another form of valid photo ID is required e.g. driver's licence, R18 card.

Futsal

Please enquire at Unipol reception to use a full futsal court. Ball must be kept under the height of the futsal goal.

I want to play badminton. Do I need to bring a shuttlecock with me?

You can either bring a shuttlecock with you or use one of our second hand shuttles. Badminton racquets are available for use by swapping your valid student ID card.

How do I access the court spaces?

We run a 'drop-in and play' programme whereby courts are available for use through-out the whole day. Just pop in and our friendly staff will arrange the spaces to suit.

What happens if I come down and my first preference sport is not available?

We welcome you to play in our Games Space while you are waiting for a court to become available. Our busy times are 3pm–9pm, so visiting outside those hours is helpful if you don't want to wait.