Make your house a home away from home.
Accommodating a student from a different country provides an opportunity for cultural exchange, allowing host families to learn about different traditions, culture and languages without leaving home. At Host Families NZ, we offer competitive market rates, flexibility and, we are able to match you with a student that suits your preferences. Whether you are looking for long-term or short-term hosting, our caring and experienced team is committed to ensuring you feel fully supported throughout the hosting experience.
Hear from some of our lovely hosts and students
Frequently Asked Questions
There's so many questions that come to mind when thinking about becoming a host family. That's why we've made this. Find answers to our most asked questions, concerns, and issues here.
Homestay is a form of accommodation provided to students to live with a local family. It is a great way for students to immerse themselves in the new culture, practice English, and often enjoy home-cooked meals.
Please submit your application online. You'll find the application form located at the bottom of the page. At the same time, please send below supporting documents to accommodation@hostfamilies.co.nz for further assessments:
1) Signed Police vetting form for all over 18 households
2) Two references of the main caregiver. Please provider the referee's name, relationship to you, phone number, and email address. Please note the referee must not be your family member.
3) House photos and room photos for assessments
4) A copy of ID for all over 18 households
5) At least one family photo
Normally, our team will match a student for you. However, when you submit your application, we will ask you about your student preferences. Our team will always take your preference into consideration and match the best suitable student with you.
When you receive the booking request, you can always accept or decline the booking.
The placement may vary from time to time. Our peak seasons are January to March and June to August. It is likely to receive a placment if you could get your room ready a few weeks before these busy months.
Outside of these busy times, placement depends on the volume of booking requests we receive. Typically, it can take 2 to 6 weeks to match you with a student, although occasionally it may take longer.
Our host families play a crucial role in providing warm and welcoming enrvironment. Many of our students or visitors are traveling to a new city or country for the first time. Your genuine warmness and kindness will make them more relaxed and settled in well in a new environment.
Additionally, please provide students with a fully finished room. This includes:
1) A private, warm, and comfortable bedroom equipped with a desk, chair, and lamp
2) Adequate ventilation, heating, and good lighting in the room
3) A standard bed (not a convertible or inflatable bed)
4) Bed linen (sheets, pillows, and blankets) and towels
5) Storage space for their belongings, such as a chest of drawers or closet
6) Convenient access to bathroom facilities and unobstructed access to the outside of the house in case of fire or similar emergencies
7) Wireless internet and reasonable use of electricity, water, and internet (we strongly recommend having unlimited wifi when hosting a student)
8) Laundry facilities
9) TV in the common area
Personal items are students’ responsibility.
Generally, host families are not expected to provide transportation. Host Families NZ aims to match students with families located conveniently close to public transportation for school travel.
However, please assist your students in becoming familiar with their surroundings by showing them the nearest bus stop and guiding them on how to get to school.
During summer and winter holidays, Host Families NZ may have groups of students requiring transportation to and from school. If you're interested in hosting short-term (2-4 weeks) students and are able to offer transportation assistance, please let us know.
Yes.
Hosting rules in general:
1) Provide a warm and welcoming environment and respect the religious observances of the student at all times
2) Only accommodate students of the same gender at a time unless you have written permission from Host Families NZ Limited (HFNZL). This includes students accepted from other schools/agents, if you are providing homestay services for more than one providers.
3) If there are any changes in the family situation or home conditions from the time of the initial inspection, such as the addition of a new family member, pets, or a change in address, please notify HFNZL immediately.
4. If a student becomes ill, injured, or experiences an accident, it's important that you take them to see a doctor or take them to hospital. The student may have health insurance, so please help them use it. If the illness or accident is serious, please contact us immediately.
4) According to the Code of Practice, host families can host no more than 4 students at any given time
5) The Educational Code of Practice also mandates a police or safety check if you have a visitor over the age of 18 staying for five or more consecutive nights while you are accommodating a student. Therefore, please inform us in advance if you have any visitors who are 18 and over coming to stay with you.
7) HFNZL does not permit any private arrangements between hosts and students, including homestay bookings or payments.
Hosting rules for under 18 students:
1) Students who are under 15 cannot be left in the house without adult supervision and all under 18 students cannot be left alone overnight. If you are going away and can no longer supervise the student, please let us know immediately so we can find alternative accommodations for the student.
2) No student under the age of 18 is allowed to cook due to health and safety reasons.
3) All under 18 students are not allowed to stay overnight in other accommodation at any time unless they have written permission from HFNZL. If they are not following the rules and staying out, please call our emergency number at +64 21 026 91882
4) For safety reasons, students under the age of 18 will need to follow their curfews. Please double-check with them if they are coming back late
For more detailed homestay rules, please get in touch with us directly.
Our payment schedule is every Wednesday, with payments made one week in arrears. For instance, if your student moves in on a Monday, you'll receive payment for the first payment on the following Wednesday.
Please anticipate the funds to be deposited into your account around 8-9 pm on Wednesday.
If the student causes any damage, please report it and send us photo proofs to Host Families NZ as soon as possible before the student's departure date. Obtain a quote to repair the damage, and we will forward this information to the agent or school for reimbursement discussions with the student.
We encourage you to conduct regular room inspections to prevent delays in reimbursement for damages. Host Families NZ also encourages you to have your own insurance (house insurance/content insurance).
Please be aware that Host Families NZ is not liable for any damage that is caused by the student.
If you have a specific question about being a host family that is not listed above, please email us at accommodation@hostfamilies.co.nz or phone + 64 21 026 91882.
We would love to hear from you.
Host Families NZ invits any responsible family who are able to provide a welcoming and warm environment to students to apply with us.
Our host families come in various forms and there is no standard host family; each one is different and unique. Whether you're a single individual, a couple with young children or teenagers, or a couple without children currently residing at home, you are welcome to join us.
If you're ready to offer a "home away from home" experience for students and visitors in New Zealand, and can abide by the rules set by Host Families NZ, we encourage you to become part of our community.
The application process typically takes about six weeks, including a home inspection and interview, police vetting for all household members over the age of 18, reference checks for the primary caregivers, and a thorough overall evaluation.
Host Families NZ accepts students/visitors who are over 14 years old to apply for homestay accommodation. Most of our students/visitors are aged between 16 to 30 years old.
There are exceptions for group bookings. Occasionally, Host Families NZ has groups aged between 8 to 14 years old. Normally, the students/visitors are with their team leaders or legal guardians.
You are welcome to inform us the preferred age group that you would like to host and our team will always match students according to your preferences.
The duration can range from one night to two years, often determined by the purpose of their visit.
We offer two meal options to the students/visitors. You can select any of them to offer:
1) Full board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
2) Half board: Breakfast and dinner every day, breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends and public holidays
Also, we require our families to provide seasonal fruit to the students/visitors before or after meals.
Welcoming a new student is exciting, but at the same time, you might find a lot of things the student does are different from what you are used to. Here are some tips to help you.
1) Get to know each other and introduce him/her to your family members
2) Lead the student to his/her room
3) Show him/her the bathroom and toilet facilities
4) Help him/her with the WIFI connections
5) Let him/her know the dinner time and teach him/her how to make breakfast e.g., toast, how to prepare cereal etc
6) Provide him/her with a house key
7) Ensure that the student is carrying telephone numbers and addresses of both the school and the homestay
8) Show him/her when and how to do the laundries
Open communication is fundamental for a positive homestay experience, so please make an effort to get to know your students and foster open conversations when issues arise. Remember, our team is always here to support you, so don't hesitate to reach out if needed.
The payment to host families varies depending on factors such as the student's age, requested location, room type, meal plans, and any additional special requirements. Host Families NZ will confirm the payment details when sending a booking request to you. Typically, host families receive between $300 and $370 per week.
Yes. Each student will receive a homestay guideline from Host Families NZ. If you'd like a copy of the student rules, please get in touch with our team.
Hosting a student/visitor in your home can be challenging. Our students/visitors are coming from all over the world and they may have a different way of doing things. What seems normal to you may not be normal to them. Over the past 14 years, we find most of our families can establish positive relationships with their students. Effective communication is key. By keeping an open mind and engaging closely with your students or visitors, you'll likely enjoy their company.
If, even after communicating with your students or visitors, you still feel uncomfortable, please reach out to us for assistance. If necessary, we can begin the process for the student to relocate. The notice period to student is two weeks.
Got more questions? Feel free to reach out to us here.
Become a host family - it's simple and free!
Embrace the rewarding experience of hosting international students with ease. Join our community as a host family, where simplicity meets generosity in creating lasting connections with students from around the world.
Understand the Responsibilities
Please refer to Q & A to understand the hosting rules in general. For more detailed information, please get in touch with our team directly.
Apply Online
Complete the online application form (at the bottom of this page). Fill out the police vetting consent for all over 18 households. You can find the form below:
Homestay Inspection
Once we've received your application, our team will reach out to schedule a home visit. During this inspection, we will discuss the responsibilities of being a homestay host, go over the payment procedures, and address any questions you may have.
Homestay Approval
We will let you know your application result once we receive the criminal records for all your households (18+) and your inspection report from one of our team members.
Wait for a Match
Host Families NZ will match you with a suitable student as soon as your application is approved.
Apply today
Fill out the form below to apply as a host family. It's quick, easy, and risk free.
See what past students and families have said.
Amanda
Host family
Chong Fu Yu
Student
Bella
Host family
Rosemary & Victor
Host family