Kā Kāika Manaaki Manuhiri
Homestays
If you are an international student coming to study at Ara, you may prefer to stay within a family ‘homestay’ environment.
If it is your first time in New Zealand, we strongly recommend you choose homestay accommodation. It is a great way to practice your English and experience life in Christchurch or Timaru and New Zealand.
New Zealand Education Advisory Services (NZEAS) organises homestays for Ara students. They will match you with an approved family in Christchurch or Timaru.
All homestay families are carefully selected for their friendly, helpful attitudes and comfortable homes. Homestay accommodation includes your own bedroom, meals (two a day during the week and three a day at the weekends) and laundry.
NZEAS will meet you at the airport, take you to your family and make sure you are settling in with your host family.
Homestay service
NZEAS offers the following services if you are in homestay accommodation:
- Police vetting of all homehost families.
- Full inspection of all homes and interviews with homehost families.
- Airport pick-up and delivery to homehost family on your arrival to Christchurch.
- A full "Welcome Pack" upon arrival.
- Greeting on your first day at Ara.
- Banking assistance on your first day at Ara.
- Language translators.
- 24 hour contact number for homehosts to be used in the case of an emergency.
- Follow up meetings with the student to ensure you are happy in their home environment.
2025 Placement / Introduction Fee
|
All homestay placements, from outside New Zealand (Includes airport arrival transfer only, orientation and arrival pack) |
$350 incl GST |
|
Under 18 Code of Practice requirements / monitoring |
$200 incl GST |
|
Group homestay placements (3+ students – group booking), per person (includes arrival and departure airport transfer, orientation and arrival pack) |
$320 incl GST |
|
Homestay Placement, already resident in New Zealand |
$280 incl GST |
|
Airport meeting and transfer to Homestay (includes Timaru one way) – if not already included in placement fee |
$70 incl GST |
Homestay Booking Period
Minimum period is 4 weeks with Student Visa application, or
homestay fees to match duration of Tuition Fees paid.
Minimum occupation of homestay at regular rate is 4 weeks.
Refund payable with minimum 10 days notice on booking of 4 weeks or more.
2025 Homestay Fees
|
Individual Ara Students |
Long Term (No lunch) 4 weeks or more |
Long Term (Inc lunch) 4 weeks or more |
Short Term (No lunch) Less than 28 days |
Short Term (Inc Lunch) Less than 28 days |
|
Per Student |
$336 weekly |
$366 weekly |
$54 daily |
$60 daily |
|
Visiting Teacher |
$420 weekly |
$450 weekly |
$70 daily |
$75 daily |
|
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Group students (3 weeks minimum) |
Daily (No lunch)
|
Daily (Incl Lunch)
|
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|
Per student |
$48 |
$53 |
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|
Group students (Less than 21 days) |
Daily (No Lunch) |
Daily (Incl Lunch) |
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|
Per student |
$54 |
$60 |
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Halal Rate / Gluten Free / Special Diet is an additional $25 per week.
Homestay services include Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and optional boxed lunch to individual taste. Tea and coffee is available and kitchen may be used on request.
Laundry is undertaken by the hosts and some housekeeping is shared by the guests, e.g. making bed, helping with dishes, tidying, etc.
Wireless Broadband Internet is included in the homestay fees.
Transport is not provided by the hosts, unless offered when convenient.
Contact details
Phone: 027 431 0071
Email: owen@nz-education.com
Hours
NZEAS office hours:
Monday to Thursday - 8.30am to 5pm
Friday - 8.30am to 4.30pm