studying here
Become a host family, share your world, shape a future
Why become a host family?
- For you, it’s a unique experience to become a global family and help a student experience life in NZ. For the student it’s a chance to immerse themselves into another culture and language, achieve academically at school and have an amazing overall experience.
What's involved in hosting?
- Host a student for anytime from two weeks, one term or longer.
When does hosting take place?
- We have new intakes every school term/semester.
Who are the students?
- At school, they could be 10–18-year-olds, usually from Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, France, etc.
- At tertiary level they are 18 and older and from around the globe
Many students want to study in Christchurch and Canterbury, especially short term to get a taste of New Zealand.
Our education providers are looking for kind and inclusive families to welcome and support an international student into their home. You are expected to provide a furnished bedroom, food, family experiences and unlimited wifi alongside a nurturing and safe environment.
Homestay families are usually paid weekly and depending on the school in your area between $330 and $400 per week.
Get in touch
If you or anyone you know is interested in hosting an international student, please contact your nearest education provider from the list below.
If your closest or preferred school is not on the list, feel free to contact yours directly or look up the international team within study options.
Prefer someone over 18? Yes please! Get in touch with our tertiary providers today!
School | Contact and email address |
Aidanfield Christian School | Anna Hawyn homestay@aidanfield.school.nz |
Avonside Girls' High School | Jude Zwezerynen jzwezerynen@avonside.school.nz |
Burnside High School | International team |
Cashmere High School | Louise Whitehead homestay@cashmere.school.nz |
Chisnallwood Intermediate School | Margaret Western mwestern@chisnallwood.school.nz |
Christchurch Girls' High School | Callie Sandford snc@cghs.school.nz |
Christchurch Boys' High School | Hajun Lee LeeH@staff.cbhs.school.nz |
Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School | Richard Kenny richardk@ch.steiner.school.nz |
Craighead Diocesan School, Timaru | Kerri Doy doyke@craighead.school.nz |
Darfield High School | Paula Mcleod paula@darfield.school.nz |
Ellesmere College | Laura McConchie homestaycoordinator@ellesmere.school.nz |
Geraldine High School | Amanda Ruemenapf a.ruemenapf@geraldinehs.school.nz |
He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate | Sarah Cumming cummings@heaton.school.nz |
Hillmorton High School | Heidi Cayford cayfordh@hillmorton.school.nz |
Hornby High School | Natasha Austin natasha.austin@hornby.school.nz |
Kaipoi High School | Letitia Barton l.barton@kaiapoi.school.nz |
Kirkwood Intermediate School | Alison Xie alisonxie@kirkwood.school.nz |
Lincoln High School | International Team international@lincoln.school.nz |
Middleton Grange School | International Team inted@middleton.school.nz |
Mountainview High School, Timaru | Nicki Stephenson international@mountainview.school.nz |
Mount Hutt College, Methven | Wendy Thomas |
Oxford Area School | International Team |
Papanui High School | Donna Ashton homestay@papanui.school.nz |
Rangi Ruru Girls' High School | Louise Stanton l.stanton@rangiruru.school.nz |
Rangiora High School | Jean Foster fsj@rangiorahigh.school.nz |
Rangiora New Life School | Jessica Cooper Jessicacooper@rnls.school.nz |
Riccarton High School | Noelia Gonzalez noelia@riccarton.school.nz |
Rolleston College | International Team – international@rollestoncollege.nz |
Shirley Boys' High School | Claire Hollobon cah@shirley.school.nz |
St Bede's College | Ruth Major rmajor@stbedes.school.nz |
St Margaret's College | Kylie Douglass kylie.douglass@stmargarets.school.nz |
Villa Maria College | Karlien Schreuder ksr@villa.school.nz |
Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate School | Maria Viselli maria.viselli@cobham.school.nz |