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 Accommodation 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.
Homestay Booking Period
Minimum period is 4 weeks with Student Visa application, or homestay fees to match duration of Tuition Fees Paid / Time Period of Tour Group. Minimum occupation of homestay at regular rate is 4 weeks. Short Term Rates apply. Refund payable with minimum 10 days notice on booking of 4 weeks or more.
2027 Homestay Fees
Homestay providers and fees
| Fees | New Zealand Homestay | NZEAS |
|---|---|---|
| Placement/matching fee | $300 (over 18 years) | $320 incl GST |
| Airport transfer | $120 | $80 incl GST (individual) $50 incl GST (group - 3 or more, each) |
| Student request to change homestay | Not applicable | $180 incl GST |
| Under 18 code of practice monitoring | Not applicable | $200 incl GST |
New Zealand Homestay packages (price per week)
| Room type | Meals | Over 18 | Under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private room | Complete homestay - 3 meals, 7 days per week | $370 | $400 |
| Private room | Traditional homestay - 2 meals Mon to Fri, 3 meals Sat & Sun | $340 | $370 |
| Private room | Dinner only | $310 | Not available |
NZEAS packages / prices
| Students | Long term weekly - no lunch | Long term weekly - incl lunch | Short term daily (less than 28 days) - no lunch/incl lunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single student | $370 | $400 | $60 / $65 |
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.
Halal Rate / Gluten Free / Special Diet is additional $25 per week.
Transport is not provided by the host unless convenient and freely offered.
Contact details
Alison Shackley
Phone: 021706484
Hours
NZEAS office hours:
Monday to Thursday - 8.30am to 5pm
Friday - 8.30am to 4.30pm