FAQs

Question

What sort of clothing should students bring?

Answer

Napier has a Mediterranean-style climate with long, fine summers and short, mild winters. It has high sunshine hours. In autumn it can be warmer than in spring. In winter there are frosts but not snow. However, you can see snow on the hills about one hour's drive from Napier, and on frosty mornings before school the temperature can be down to zero degrees, but it warms up during the day.

Season	Months	Temperature Range °C (Day)
Spring	September, October, November	12 - 22
Summer	December, January, February	18 - 32
Autumn	March, April, May	14 - 25
Winter	June, July, August	8 - 18

Here is a list of extra clothing you should bring, or be prepared to buy in Napier:

Autumn & Winter	Spring & Summer
Thermal or polypropylene underwear (for example, a long-sleeve singlet)	Swimsuit
Waterproof/windproof warm outdoor jacket	Sunglasses
Warm hat & gloves	Sandals
Warm woollen or fleece-fabric sweater	Sunhat
Waterproof sports shoes or hiking boots for outdoor activities	You should always use sunscreen in the summer
An umbrella is useful.

Question

How much spending money should students bring?

Answer

This is up to the individual student but NZ$50-100.00 per week is a good estimate. Napier is not as expensive as some bigger cities. Students should not carry large amounts of money. New Horizon staff will help new students to open a bank account soon after their arrival.

Question

Where do students live?

Answer

Most students live with local families in a homestay arrangement. There is also backpacker hostel accommodation in the city, which is suitable for adult students.

Question

How do we find a homestay family?

Answer

New Horizon will find a suitable family for the student based on the information you give us on your application form. All families are inspected by our Homestay Director to make sure they are of the best standard, although we cannot guarantee to meet all of your homestay requirements.

Question

When are students informed of their homestay family?

Answer

About one month before the course start date we match the student to a suitable homestay family and the student is informed of family details. The student can write or send a photograph of themselves to their homestay family before their arrival. The homestay family may also send a welcoming letter. If a student has special homestay requests or the course enrolment is received with short notice, we may send the homestay details after we have received the fees.

Question

What if there is a problem?

Answer

Our Homestay Director will help with the problem and arrange for another family if necessary. If a student wishes to change homestays they must give one week’s notice. If students change there is a fee of $75 for each change.

Question

What is included in the homestay accommodation charge?

Answer

Students staying with a homestay family will receive 2 meals each school day and 3 meals a day during public holidays and weekends. They will have a room of their own and will be able to take part in normal family life and activities with the homestay family.

Question

How easy is it for students to travel from Auckland to Napier?

Answer

Very easy. Flights are frequent and take about 1 hour. Students need to make a booking for this when they book their flight to New Zealand. The bus takes about 7 hours but students may have to stay overnight in Auckland depending on flight arrival times. Ask your travel agent.

Question

How do students get to the Domestic Terminal in Auckland?

Answer

Students can travel on a free blue “Airport Terminals Transfer Bus” which regularly goes to the Domestic Terminal.

Or, students can walk, following the blue lines.

Or, we can arrange for students to be personally met and transferred to the Domestic Terminal. The cost is $75.00 payable to New Horizon.

Question

When do students meet their homestay family?

Answer

Homestay families meet the students at Napier airport or bus station when they first arrive.

Question

What should students do if they can't find the homestay family at the airport?

Answer

The homestay family will be holding a sign with the student's name on it. Napier airport is very small and is not crowded, so the student and the family should find each other easily.

When we send the homestay details we also send a form that has the name of the student and the contact details of New Horizon and the homestay on it. The student should bring this with them to New Zealand so that if they need help they can show these details to airport staff.

Question

How will students get to the College each day?

Answer

Most students buy a bicycle and cycle to school, walk or catch the bus. If you would like to see a bus timetable please see Route 12 here

Question

What happens during College vacations?

Answer

Students may travel and take sightseeing trips or continue living with homestay families.

If students are away for 4 or more consecutive nights and one week’s notice has been given they will receive a 70% refund of their homestay fee for the time they are away. The other 30% is kept by the homestay to retain the room for the student.