While studying at Pukekohe High School, international students will live with either a Homestay Family or a Designated Caregiver.
Living with a Homestay Family
Living with a New Zealand family is a wonderful way to improve English, learn about Kiwi culture, and feel part of the local community.
To help prepare your child for living with a Kiwi family please ensure they read the pre-departure handbook before arriving in New Zealand.
Our homestay families live in the Pukekohe area and enjoy welcoming international students into their homes as part of their family life. Students are provided with their own bedroom, three meals each day, and support from their host family where needed.
All homestay families are carefully selected by the school. Every home is inspected, and all adult members of the household are police vetted before students are placed with them. The International Department also stays in regular contact with both students and homestay families to ensure students are safe, comfortable, and well supported.
When you apply for homestay accommodation, the International Office will carefully match you with a suitable family. We send information about you to the homestay family, and we will also send you information about your homestay family before you arrive in New Zealand. This helps everyone get to know each other before the student arrives.
The homestay application form is included in the International Student Application Form.
Students living in a homestay can expect:
- A safe and caring home environment
- A furnished private bedroom
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Support with settling into life in New Zealand
- Inclusion in normal family activities and daily life
- Help with transport to and from school where needed
- Guidance and support from the International Department
Living with a family is a great opportunity to experience everyday New Zealand life and practise speaking English in a natural environment.
To ensure a happy and respectful homestay experience, students are expected to:
- Be polite and respectful to all members of the household
- Follow the house rules of the homestay family
- Keep their bedroom clean and tidy
- Communicate with their host family about their plans and schedules
- Respect family routines and curfews
- Participate in family life where possible
Mutual respect and open communication help create a positive experience for both students and host families. New Zealand families are very helpful. Please encourage your child to speak with their homestays about their wants and needs.
The International Department provides ongoing support for students living in homestays. This includes:
- Careful selection and vetting of homestay families
- Regular contact with students and homestay families
- Assistance if students have any concerns or questions
- Support with cultural adjustment and wellbeing
- Help resolving any issues that may arise
Our goal is to make sure every student feels safe, supported, and welcomed during their time at Pukekohe High School.
Discover Pukekohe
Pukekohe is a friendly town in South Auckland. It has plenty to offer international students, with its warm community spirit, stunning countryside surroundings and relatively short distance to the city.
Our Community
Pukekohe, the southernmost tip of Auckland, 30 minutes from the airport, offers international students a true taste of everyday New Zealand life. It is warm, welcoming, and full of wholesome and memorable experiences. It is a place where students quickly feel at home, supported by a friendly community and surrounded by open landscapes, fresh air, and space to explore.
Pukekohe is more than just a place to live, it is a place to experience. A town where everyday life feels safe and welcoming, where weekends can be as relaxed or adventurous as students choose, and where international students can truly feel part of New Zealand life.
Despite its relaxed feel, Pukekohe is well-connected. The town has both a train station and bus services, making it simple to travel into Auckland for big-city shopping, concerts, sporting events, and cultural experiences.
The town itself is very walkable. Many local spots are within easy reach of school and the town centre.
Students truly get the best of both worlds. Small-town comfort with city adventure just a journey away.
Life here has an easy rhythm. After school, students can head into town for a movie at the local cinema, meet friends for food at cafés and restaurants, or enjoy a game of bowling, snooker, or mini golf. There is a local golf course and plenty of parks and green spaces where students can relax, walk, or spend time outdoors. Weekly markets bring the community together and give students a chance to experience local food and culture.
Beyond the town, the surrounding Franklin region is rich with natural beauty. Students can explore the dramatic black sand coastline of Karioitahi Beach or discover local waterfalls, walking tracks, and native bush. The wider area also reflects New Zealand’s strong farming heritage, offering a glimpse into rural life that is both authentic and unique.
There's plenty to keep you busy outside of school hours:
- Pukekohe Hill Reserve – A short walk from town, this reserve offers scenic walking tracks and stunning views across the Franklin district and out to the Manukau Harbour. A great spot to clear your head after a busy school week.
- Pukekohe Skate Park – Popular with local students for skating, BMX, and simply hanging out with friends.
- Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre – A large sports and recreation hub with athletics facilities, football fields, a swimming pool, and courts. Ideal if you enjoy staying active.
- Port Waikato and Sunset Beach – About 40 minutes by car, this rugged west coast beach is a fantastic day trip for surfing, walking, and taking in dramatic black-sand scenery.
- Auckland City – Te Papa Tongarewa (the national museum), Sky Tower, Mission Bay, Waitemata Harbour, and the Waitemata waterfront are all within easy reach for weekend adventures.
- Hunua Ranges Regional Park – A short drive away, this park offers stunning bush walks, waterfalls, and mountain biking tracks – perfect if you love the outdoors.
Whether you're exploring the local area or venturing into the city, there's always something new to discover. Pukekohe is a wonderful base for your New Zealand adventure.
Discover Pukekohe
Pukekohe is a friendly town in South Auckland. It has plenty to offer international students, with its warm community spirit, stunning countryside surroundings and relatively short distance to the city.
Our Community
Pukekohe is a welcoming town with a strong sense of community – exactly the kind of place where it's easy to feel at home. Life here moves at a comfortable pace, with friendly locals, plenty of green open spaces, and everything you need for day-to-day living close at hand. The town centre has supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and shops, so you won't need to travel far for the essentials.
One of Pukekohe's biggest advantages is its location. Sitting around 45 minutes south of Auckland city, you're never far from world-class restaurants, shopping, cultural events, and international airports. Auckland is easily accessible by bus or train, making weekend trips to the city a great option when you're ready to explore.
Public transport connects Pukekohe to the wider Auckland region, and most students find the town itself is very walkable. Many local spots are within easy reach of school and the town centre.
There's plenty to keep you busy outside of school hours:
- Pukekohe Hill Reserve – A short walk from town, this reserve offers scenic walking tracks and stunning views across the Franklin district and out to the Manukau Harbour. A great spot to clear your head after a busy school week.
- Pukekohe Skate Park – Popular with local students for skating, BMX, and simply hanging out with friends.
- Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre – A large sports and recreation hub with athletics facilities, football fields, a swimming pool, and courts. Ideal if you enjoy staying active.
- Port Waikato and Sunset Beach – About 40 minutes by car, this rugged west coast beach is a fantastic day trip for surfing, walking, and taking in dramatic black-sand scenery.
- Auckland City – Te Papa Tongarewa (the national museum), Sky Tower, Mission Bay, Waitemata Harbour, and the Waitemata waterfront are all within easy reach for weekend adventures.
- Hunua Ranges Regional Park – A short drive away, this park offers stunning bush walks, waterfalls, and mountain biking tracks – perfect if you love the outdoors.
Whether you're exploring the local area or venturing into the city, there's always something new to discover. Pukekohe is a wonderful base for your New Zealand adventure.