Homestay accommodation is when you live with a local family in the family’s home. You become a member of the family and your new family will support you as you start your university journey.
As a homestay student you will have unlimited access to your own fully furnished room in the home of a family that has:
You will also have access to a kitchen, bathroom, toilet, laundry facilities and living and dining rooms within the home.
Some homestay families may have more than one student living in their home so you can share the homestay experience with another student.
Applications for homestay accommodation can be submitted at any time. However, our homestay advisers require a minimum of two weeks to find a suitable homestay match for you.
Download or print a copy of the accommodation application form from the link below.
Homestay accommodation application form (82 KB)
Email the completed application form to the relevant campus team.
You need to pay the relevant non-refundable fees before your homestay accommodation can be found. You'll find instructions on how to pay on page two of the application form.
The establishment fees are non-refundable and paid when you submit your application. If you're an international student and under 18 years of age, you must pay the Under 18 homestay administration fee too.
If you're an international student, under 18, requesting designated caregiver accommodation, you must pay the Designated caregiver administration fee, not the Homestay administration fee when submitting your application.
Your weekly homestay board, paid directly to the host, is:
If you're an international student, under 18, requesting designated caregiver accommodation, you must pay the Designated caregiver administration fee, not the Homestay administration fee when submitting your application.
Your weekly homestay board, paid directly to the host, is:
For details about the 2020 fees please email homestaywgtn@massey.ac.nz
There is no typical homestay family. New Zealand is a diverse, multicultural society so our homestay families reflect this and include:
Massey University is committed to providing a safe and happy homestay experience for you. All approved homestay hosts undergo a strict selection process including:
Our Accommodation and Welfare Advisers will try and match you with a homestay family that meets your requirements and has similar interests to you so that you feel at home. Our advisers are always there to support you before and during your stay.
We're committed to providing you with quality and safe homestay accommodation.
All homestay students are provided with three meals per day and may comprise of:
The homestay accommodation option is available to all Massey students ranging from students studying introductory English language, Foundation English (Bridging) to degree - both international and domestic.
Homestay accommodation is popular with international students. It provides you with a unique introduction to New Zealand life, culture and the English language.
Living in a homestay provides a total immersion experience. You can listen and speak English in a safe and trusted environment that will help develope of your English language skills.
At Massey University, all international students under the age of 18 years must live in Massey approved:
Homestay accommodation is a great way to settle in to university life. A homestay family will give you the support and care you need for your new study and social life.
Once you're comfortable with university life you might want to try campus accommodation. Campus accommodation may not suit you when you first start university. You need to adjust to living away from home, independent study and making new social networks. It can be overwhelming for both international and domestic students.
We recommend that you consider living with a local homestay family for your first semester. This will provide that home away from home experience as you settle into university life. After your first semester you may then feel ready to move onto campus accommodation or other accommodation options.
If you need more information about homestay accommodation, please email the Homestay Accommodation and Welfare Advisers at your campus:
All Massey University approved homestay accommodation is compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016.