What Is a Host Family?
At Good Homestay, being a host family means more than just renting out a room. It is about welcoming an international student into your home as you become a host family in NZ, and treating them as a member of your family.
We trust and work together with every host family to provide a safe, comfortable environment and help students adjust to life in New Zealand, creating a memorable “home away from home” experience.
Who We Are Looking For
Host Qualities
Most of our students are living away from their home country for the first time. To support them, we look for families with the following qualities:
- Kind, helpful, and patient: Willing to help students navigate a new environment and culture.
- Interested in Cultural Exchange: Excited to share unique culture and learn about the student’s background.
- Interactive Communicators: Ready to engage in conversation and help students practice their English daily.
Your Family Type
There is no “typical” host family. We welcome hosts from all walks of life, including:
- Families with young children or teenagers
- Retired couples with spare time and space
- Single individuals or couples
- Working professionals
As long as you have a welcoming heart, we are sure that you can be a great host family.
Where We Need Host Families in Suburbs of Auckland and Queenstown
Our General Location Requirement
Most students attend language schools located in the CBD. Therefore, we require host families to be located within a reasonable commuting distance—ideally within 45 to 50 minutes of the city centre using public transport.
High-Demand Areas in Auckland
We are actively seeking families across Auckland who have good access to public transport. While we welcome applications from many suburbs, we have particularly high demand in areas such as:
- North Shore: Takapuna, Birkenhead, Northcote
- Central Suburbs: Mt Eden, Remuera, Point Chevalier
- West Auckland: New Lynn
(Note: This is just a list of examples. If you live in other suburbs with good transport links, we encourage you to apply.)
High-Demand Areas in Queenstown
In Queenstown, we are looking for families with easy access to the town centre, including:
- Frankton
- Kelvin Heights
- Sunshine Bay / Fernhill
The Hosting Experience: An Overview
If you are ready to become a host family in NZ, the hosting experience is a rewarding journey that involves clear benefits, specific responsibilities, and a simple registration process.
- The Advantages: Discover the financial and cultural rewards of hosting.
» See the Advantages of Hosting - Your Responsibilities: Understand the host family’s responsibilities and the requirements for meals, rooms, and student support.
» See Host Expectations & Requirements - Our Process: Learn how our simple step-by-step registration works.
» View the Registration Process
Ready to Apply? Let’s Get Started!
Complete 1 minute Online Application to see if your location is suitable to host our students.
Have Questions?
If you are unsure about your location or have any other inquiry, please contact us by submitting an online application or call us on 022 417 3216.