Homestay

Choose the perfect accommodation for you!

Staying with a friendly and caring host family is one of the best ways to experience the Kiwi culture and at the same time practise your English outside the classroom. You will have an unforgettable time with your Kiwi family.

It is very important for us and your host family to know if you have any special requests or needs so we can make your stay as comfortable as possible. Regular quality checks are conducted by NZLC .

Your Room
•    In your room, you will have a bed, desk, lamp and closet. Twin share options are also available on request.

Meals Options
Half Board includes: Breakfast and dinner during weekdays and 3 meals on weekends.
Full Board includes: Includes 3 meals a day including a packed lunch during weekdays.

Average Travel Time to School
To NZLC Auckland:
•   Adult: 45 minutes – 75 minutes

•   Young Learner: 45 – 60 minutes

Approximately $40 – $50 per week for public transport

Homestay for Young Learners (14-17 years-old)

Young learner homestay families are specially chosen to look after and care for students who are between 14 and 17 years old.

NZLC undertakes to comply with the accommodation provisions for young learners set out in Part 6 of the NZQA Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International students.

Young learners will need written permission from their parents if they want to stay out later than 6.00 p.m. or stay somewhere overnight. NZLC recommends that all Young Learner students book full-board, (three meals per day).

NZLC undertakes to comply with the accommodation provisions for Young Learners set out in the NZQA Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. The categories of accommodation that will be accepted by NZLC are:

•   NZLC Homestay (Full payment of homestay fees is required for the whole duration of the enrolment.)
•   Parent(s) (parent must accompany the student to school on the first day and bring their own valid visa and passport)
•   Non-NZLC Homestay (‘NZLC Education Consultant Appointed Homestay Form’ needs to be completed with full details which meet NZLC Homestay requirements for Young Learners; a $250 assessment fee may apply)
•  Designated Caregiver appointed by parent (‘NZLC Designated Caregiver Appointment Form’ needs to be provided: a $250 assessment fee per visit apply.)
•   A local High School homestay family (Confirmation Letter required) All Young Learner Accommodation Providers will be sent the “Hosting YL Guidelines”, which must be read and followed.


Other Young Learner Homestay Options

If a young learner is not staying with an NZLC homestay, the categories of accommodation that will be accepted by NZLC are:

•    Student’s parent(s).
•    Non-NZLC Homestay (‘NZLC Education Consultant Appointed Homestay Form’ required)
•    Designated Caregiver appointed by parent (‘NZLC Designated Caregiver Appointment Form’ needs to be provided: a $250 assessment fee per visit apply.)
•    A local High School homestay family (Confirmation Letter required).

Extra Caregiver: NZLC will provide pastoral care for all Young Learner students. However, if parents would like to request an extra caregiver through NZLC, this can be arranged for a fee of $100 – $140 per week. NZLC may also request that a particular Young Learner have a caregiver in order for the student to participate in the NZLC course.

Homestay Handbook for Students

This handbook will help you understand what you can expect and what is expected of you during your homestay experience. If you have any questions or concerns please talk to the NZLC Student Services Department.

Your role as a homestay student

As a homestay student, embracing and adhering to the family house rules and routines is essential. This ensures a positive and respectful time, and it will enrich your experience.

Communication

During your stay, there will probably be times when living in a foreign country and using a different language will be challenging. Your host family might have difficulty understanding you, just as you might have difficulty understanding them. Try to be patient and find other ways to communicate.

For example, writing things down or using hand gestures. Your host family will help you to learn English so please talk to them as much as you can!

Respecting each other

It is important that you think of your homestay house as your home. But remember that there are other people in the house so please be considerate when using the facilities.

Helping around the house

New Zealanders say “please” and “thank you” a lot and your host family will like it if you do too.

They will also like it if you talk to them as much as you can and offer to help around the house.

Host Family Nationality

New Zealand is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Embrace this multiculturalism, try a variety of cuisines, immerse yourself in different accents and enriching experience during your stay.

If you decide to leave your host family earlier than planned, you must give two weeks’ notice. You will need to tell both your host family and the Homestay Department. If you do not give two weeks’ notice then you may still need to pay for up to two weeks’ extra homestay fee. The remaining amount will be refunded to you after you have left your host family.
An administration fee of $100 will be charged.
You must also let the NZLC Student Services staff know your new address and mobile number.

You may request to change your homestay under certain circumstances. If you wish to change your homestay, please follow this procedure:

  1. Talk to the Homestay Department and explain the reason why you would like to change your homestay.
  2. The Homestay team will help you resolve any issues you are experiencing and help you feel more comfortable.
  3. If it is agreed to change your homestay, the current family will be advised and a new family will be arranged after payment of the second placement fee. The usual two weeks’ notice may or may not be required, depending on the case.
  4. An additional full homestay arrangement fee is required (note: depending upon availability, it may take up to 4 weeks to find new homestay).

NZLC can guarantee homestay for the paid period. If students wish to stay longer in the same homestay, they must inform NZLC Accommodation staff at least 2 weeks in advance. The extension is subject to availability. There is to be no direct arrangements made with your host family. All arrangements are to be made with and through NZLC. An administration fee of $100 will be charged.

If you want to take a holiday from your homestay for 14 nights or longer and still keep your room,you will need to pay a room holding fee. You need send written notification to the homestay team two weeks in advance.

Your family will probably have some “House Rules” which are usually polite things that you should do during your stay. Here are some hints and common house rules to help make your stay more enjoyable:

  • Please keep your bedroom clean and tidy, make your bed and open your curtains each morning.
  • Turn off the lights and heater before you leave for school.
  • Please offer to help around the house. For example: Take your plate away after eating, help in the kitchen (preparing a meal or washing up) or stack the dishwasher.
  • Please do NOT smoke inside the house. If you are a smoker, you will have to smoke outside the house.
  • If you would like a friend to visit or you would like to stay over at a friend’s house, you must ask your family in advance.
  • Home Phone – ask permission before using the homestay landline phone to make overseas calls and calls to mobile phones. Calls to mobile phones cost a lot more than landline calls. Keep your phone calls short.
  • Internet – some host families have limited internet usage, so please ask your family before using the internet. It is illegal to download movies, songs, and other copyrighted material.
  • Typical NZ meals include cereal, toast with fruit or yoghurt for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and meat and vegetables for dinner. It is Ok to season with salt, pepper or ketchup to your liking at the table
  • Tell your host your preference on the portion size (prefer small or large meal)
  • Help your homestay family by setting the table, doing the dishes etc.
  • Tell your family if you find New Zealand food difficult to eat. They can help you buy some additional food items to add to your meals
  • All food and drink should be eaten at the kitchen table. No food/drinks should be consumed in bedrooms
  • The homestay family will cook food they normally eat and are not required to cook special meals (unless arranged prior)
  • If there is any food/drink you wish to eat/drink that your host family does not provide, then you should purchase it yourself. Ask your host family for the location of the nearest supermarket/Asian grocery store, or you can accompany them on their next shopping trip
  • Do not bring cell phones or any devices to the table during meal times
  • Do not start eating your food at the table until everyone has got their food and are ready to start eating
  • When you finish eating your meal, put your knife and fork together to indicate that you have finished. You should wait until others have finished or the host family says that you can leave the table

 

Please remember that weekday lunches are not included in your homestay fee if you booked “Half Board”. You can ask the NZLC Accommodation Department to check whether you have requested half board or full board. You are welcome to purchase your own lunch which you can heat in the microwaves at NZLC. Host families may allow students to use their kitchen to make simple lunches such as sandwiches. If you wish to use the homestay kitchen to prepare lunch, please seek prior approval of the family and remember to clean up afterwards.

It is important to tell your homestay family any of the following:

  • You are going to be home late for dinner – please text or phone your host family as least 2 hours before to let them know
  • You are eating out and/or staying overnight
  • You are spending the night at a friend’s house; provide the address and telephone number
  • You are planning to go on a trip; note that no discount on homestay fee is provided
  • Students under 18 years old must have written consent from NZLC to stay out late
  • Your host family will probably do your laundry together with theirs
  • Check with your host family if you prefer to do your laundry by yourself and ask how to do it
  • It is common to wash clothes once or twice a week, not daily
  • Make sure to place your dirty laundry in the correct place
  • During wintertime in New Zealand, clothes take a long time to dry. Only undergarments and T-shirts should be washed frequently
  • Please ask your host family where to hang your wet clothes. Do not hang your wet laundry in your bedroom or wardrobe
  • Most New Zealand houses have one small Hot Water Cylinder for storing hot water. Excessive usage of hot water can result in hot water running out quickly
  • Take a quick shower for maximum 5 -10 minutes. Taking a bath is usually not permitted
  • Check with your host family for the best time to take a shower
  • When using the toilet please sit on the toilet, do not stand or squat on it. Toilet paper goes into the toilet, not in the bin, but no other objects other than paper should go down the toilet. Put the toilet seat down after use
  • Bring your own toiletries (soap, shampoo and conditioner). The host family is not expected to provide these items
  • Heaters, power points, lights and electric blankets need to be turned off when you leave the house
  • Check with your host family if it is OK to leave heaters on at night in your bedroom
  • NZ’s electricity is 240 volts so check carefully before plugging in any appliances you have brought from your country
  • Remember to close any windows, lock up the house and turn on the alarm (if applicable) when you leave the home. If you are given keys or an alarm code, keep them safe and do not share them with anyone
  • Talk with your family about an Emergency Plan and what happens in the case of evacuation, earthquakes, tsunami, floods etc.
  • Please, tell your host family if you find anything broken in your room or if you damage anything yourself. Don’t keep quiet or try to hide it, or your host family may be unhappy when they find out
  • Give your phone number to your host family when you arrive so that they can call you in an emergency. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you can buy a cheap one while you are in New Zealand.

Important:

If you have any questions or concerns, or feel uncomfortable talking to your host family about something, please talk to NZLC Accommodation Department or call the after-hours number on 021 180 6300

NZLC Auckland school phone: 09 303 1962

If you need to contact the school during school hours or speak to the Homestay Department, please call reception. School hours are Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5pm.

NZLC After-hours contact for urgent matters:

  • NZLC Auckland-arranged homestay and airport transfers: +64(0)21780509
  • NZLC After hours contacts for urgent matters 021 180 6300
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