Accommodation Options

Students aged under 18 years must live with either families approved by their parents or caregivers, or in a RELA homestay.

Homestays:
Students stay in homes with local families. Homestays have these features:

• Families are carefully chosen. Many families have been associated with RELA for a long time. The approval process involves police clearance of all adults living at the homestay.
• Students learn more English when they take part in family activities and visits and can practise their English in everyday situations.
• Students are provided with breakfast and dinner every day and all meals on Saturdays and Sundays. They provide their own lunch from Monday to Friday. (Students can pay for optional weekday lunches when they enrol at RELA)
• Most homestays are within 10 minutes' drive of RELA. Some are much closer, within walking distance. Students can choose to live in a farmstay for short periods.
• No more than two students are usually placed in any homestay. Students are not usually placed with another from the same country.
• All homes are inspected every six months.
• A Homestay Manager is available to deal with homestay issues.
• A detailed homestay application form allows students to request what sort of homestay they would like to be placed in. We do our best to meet all requirements, but cannot guarantee to do so, especially for late applications.
• Homestay fees are $205 per week, including ongoing supervision and liaison. There is also a homestay arrangement fee of $200 upon booking.
  
  

Hyun-Ju from Korea. June 2006 "I am happy to stay with my host family. They are really nice people for me. They've taken care of me like a real family. I'll never forget them. Thank you to RELA's Homestay Manager. She always found nice homestays for me. In addition, she's treated me very kindly and warmly. I appreciate her."

Rental accommodation:

• A range of rental accommodation is available in Rotorua, ranging from one-room bedsits to family homes. Prices vary according to location and quality.
• Students who choose to rent are entirely responsible for arrangements with landlords.
• RELA also have flats which are sometimes rented out. Click here for more information.

Hostel accommodation:

• A wide range of reasonably priced, good standard hostel accommodation is available in Rotorua, as the city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand.
• A basic room in a Backpackers Hostel costs from $25 a night. This is for a shared room, and all facilities are shared.
• A single room in Waiariki House student accommodation is $180 per week. The rooms have Internet facilities. Dining, lounge,kitchen and bathroom facilities are all shared.
• There are no additional charges for electricity etc.
• Information about hostels is available from RELA, but bookings must be made by students.

Private boarding accommodation:

• A range of private boarding accommodation is available for students over 18, but it is recommended that students seeking a boarding option use the RELA homestay programme.

Code of Practice for Pastoral Care

Homestay Application Form

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