CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UnionPay International has further expanded its education payment services in New Zealand, with UnionPay now available as an online payment option at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha.
Students who have accepted their Enrolment Agreement in myUC, the University of Canterbury’s online enrolment portal, can select UnionPay through the University’s online payment portal to pay their full university fees. The new payment option provides UnionPay cardholders and their families with greater choice when managing education-related payments.
Paying university fees is an important step in the international student journey and can involve significant cross-border payment arrangements for students and their families. The addition of UnionPay provides cardholders with access to a familiar payment method through the University’s existing payment platform, complementing the range of payment options already available to students.
Established in 1873, the University of Canterbury is New Zealand’s second-oldest university. Based in Christchurch, the University has a diverse community of more than 26,000 students from over 100 countries. Its vibrant and inclusive campus offers rich opportunities for intellectual and personal growth, while Christchurch provides a safe, welcoming and affordable lifestyle that balances study and recreation.
The launch forms part of UnionPay’s continued efforts to expand its services across New Zealand’s education sector and provide greater payment convenience throughout the student journey. UnionPay payment services are now available at five of New Zealand’s eight public universities, supporting students across important education-related scenarios, including university fee payments and enrolment.
Beyond tuition and education payments, UnionPay is continuing to strengthen its acceptance across the everyday scenarios relevant to students living in New Zealand. These include accommodation, supermarkets, dining, retail, travel, online payments and ATM cash withdrawals, helping cardholders use UnionPay from the beginning of their studies through to everyday campus and community life.
UnionPay began operating in New Zealand in 2008 and has since developed broad cooperation with the country’s major financial institutions and payment service providers. UnionPay is currently accepted at approximately 93,000 merchants and 2,360 ATMs across New Zealand, covering major retail, dining, travel, online and everyday payment scenarios.
