Homestay hosts sought for international students
Welcoming homestay hosts who can provide a room, full board and a “Kiwi experience” are being sought for NorthTec International students.
Hosts are paid $230 per week for providing the student’s own fully-furnished bedroom, three meals a day and internet access.
Homestay students are mainly from China, mostly 17-18 year-old boys with a few female or older students. They plan to study at NorthTec for two to three years on average, but mostly only stay in homestay for the first six to 12 months.
Transport support is provided by NorthTec International within suburban Whangarei to and from the Raumanga campus, but students still need their homestay’s help with rides to any after school activities or their weekend social life.
Homestay hosts are expected to provide all meals daily with students preparing their own breakfast and lunch if preferred.
Under the NZQA Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016, all international students under the age of 18 must live in approved homestays with fully police vetted and checked hosts.
NorthTec also recommends that all international students begin their stay in New Zealand with local people who can help them adjust to the local culture, practise their English, introduce them to the local area and provide them with some guidance.
To apply to become a homestay host, contact NorthTec International on 09-470 3605, or via homestay@northtec.ac.nz.
Lovers Lane opens
It's open! This morning we held a blessing for the new pathway, bridge and boardwalk in Lovers' Lane that connects the Kamo Shared Path with the Raumanga Shared Path.
You can access it from Cafler Park, Second Avenue, or between the Central Library and the council building, Te Iwitahi. The walking and cycling pathway includes a new paved area, Te Ara Hīkoi ki Kauika (the pathway to Kauika), a replaced bridge over the Waiarohia Stream, and a new boardwalk in Cafler Park.
The design is by Littoralis, Hawthorn Geddes and Boffa Miskell, connecting to the natural environment and local history. The high quality of construction was by local contractors including Canam, Robinson Asphalts, Culham Engineering, Northland Metal Industries (NMI), Ezra Bell, BDX Engineering and more.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.