Accommodation
We will organise carefully selected New Zealand homestay families who live close to Hutt Valley High School.
Students must live in a homestay approved by the school. They may not live in apartments or flats or share apartments with other students.
Students are met at the airport, introduced to their host family and given on-going support to ensure they are happily settled. The homestay will support the student's personal, social and academic life.
We have a full-time International Student Manager and a Director of International Students who support and advise students during their stay at the School.
A homestay will provide you with:
- a warm, comfortable room with furniture and a place to study
- three meals a day
- laundry services
- a safe environment to help you study in New Zealand
- conversation and interaction with the family to help improve your English
There will be reasonable rules for you to follow. Please respect your homestay family's wishes.
New Zealand homes:
 A typical NZ home will have 3 or 4 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
Many homes have pets (cat, dog etc) and most have a garden.
Most homes will have an internet connection, but you may not have internet in your room. A private fast internet connection will cost about $29 a month.
Applying for a homestay
All HVHS homestays have been checked by the school and meet the requirements of the NZ Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
- Fill in the Application Form and circle "Yes, homestay required". Send the application to HVHS
- The college will send you an invoice a year's fees in advance and homestay costs. The money is held in trust and paid to the homestay family.
Pay your homestay fee to:
Bank of New Zealand, High St, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Account name: Hutt Valley High School Board
Account number: 020528 00 3065400
Bank statement details: Student's name
 Changing homestay
It takes time to adjust to a new country. Hutt Valley High School requires you to stay for four weeks at a homestay before thinking about changing. You must discuss this with the International Student Manager. If approved, she will give your homestay TWO WEEKS notice of your intention to leave.
Culture shock
It is natural to feel anxious or worried when you first arrive. This is normal and we will help you adjust to the cultural differences. Please talk to the international team if you feel sad or lonely. |
