Homestay
Homestay is another living option where you can live with a New Zealand family and learn more about the local culture.
Homestay is a great option for international students who want to improve their conversational English and would like to live with a family who can help settle them into life in New Zealand.
Our host families are excited to open their homes to students from around the world who choose to study at the University of Waikato.
Your homestay family will provide you with a room, a bed, desk/table and space to store your personal belongings. You are expected to keep your room clean and tidy and help with household duties as if you were one of the family. They will also provide you with three meals a day, seven days a week.
Homestays are located across Hamilton within easy access to bus routes to campus.
| Costs | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Costs | $343 | inclusive of food, power, laundry and in most homes, unlimited Broadband (some homes might still be on a plan and request a contribution) but exclusive of phone and transport costs. |
| Homestay Placement Fee | $450 | A non-refundable homestay placement fee must be paid before being placed with a homestay family |
| Four Weeks in Advance Plus Placement Fee | $1822 | You will need to pay the first four weeks plus placement fee before you can be placed with a homestay family |
How to Apply
Students need to submit an International Homestay Application Form at least three weeks prior to your arrival in New Zealand.
Under 18 International Student Application
Pastoral Care of International Students, if you are under 18 years old, you are required to stay in an approved Homestay or with a Designated Caregiver approved by the University of Waikato.
Under 18 Accommodation Application Form
Designated Caregiver
A designated caregiver is a family member or close family friend living close to campus that the student would like to live with. Students under 18 years wishing to live with a designated caregiver will need to ask their parent/guardian to complete the Indemnity Section of the Off-campus Accommodation form.
Under the Ministry of Education Code of Practice, the University is required to visit the home to determine that a safe physical and emotional environment will be provided that meets the requirements of the Code. If the University of Waikato deems the accommodation to be unsuitable, the University retains the right to refuse enrolment to the student until suitable replacement accommodation can be found. A non-refundable fee is payable for this assessment.
Homestay Contact Details
Our team can arrange for you to live in a Homestay, for more information please email homestay@waikato.ac.nz or phone +64 7 858 5621.
Interested in becoming a Homestay Family?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Homestay family. Our Homestay families provide a caring and safe home that supports the health, safety and wellbeing of the student at all times.
Before starting the application process, here is some important information:
- As a Homestay family, we expect that you will accept the student as a member of the family and encourage them to be involved in family activities and English conversation
- Each student must have their own bedroom and access to internet, a bathroom and laundry
- The student will be provided with three meals per day plus snacks
- Students are usually required to stay in the homestay for a minimum of four weeks. After the initial four weeks, students and homestay families may give two weeks notice of their intention to move
- Homestay families may have a maximum of three students at any one time
- Homestay family members over 18 years old must agree to sign the New Zealand Police Vetting form
For more information, participant agreement and homestay application, please contact homestay@waikato.ac.nz or phone +64 7 858 5621