Bruce (left) and Lisa Santos say they and their children are Kotaro Yamamoto's other family. Photo / Richard Robinson
Thousands of New Zealanders gladly share their culture with overseas students - but only if they are paid.
As one non-profit student exchange organisation, AFS New Zealand, is struggling to get host families for 25 foreign students arriving next month, another agency, International Homestays,
says it has 862 families on its database wanting to host international students. The difference - one agency is seeking families to host students for nothing, while the other pays host families between $200 and $220 a week.
"Our problem is we don't pay, and we are competing very, very strongly with the fee-paying market," said AFS volunteer Winston Smith.
Homestay host Melinda White, 56, who often hosts teenage students from South America, says New Zealanders have become more pragmatic.
"Gone are the days when New Zealand was one of the richest countries in the world," she said. "The reality is, every cent counts. I do enjoy having the students, but there's no way I can do it for free."
Immigrant Lisa Santos, from South Africa, who is hosting a Japanese student from Takapuna Grammar School, Kotaro Yamamoto, says it is important for host families to strike a balance between money and other reasons.
"It is good to have income, but money should not be the foremost factor. As immigrants without any family here, our family feel we can do a good thing by being a family to someone else who is also alone here - that's our motivation for taking Kotaro."
Gary Helming, director of International Homestays, which places students for language schools, Auckland University and Whitireia Polytech, says his company has had no problems getting homestay families.
"We want hosts who are hosting the students for the student experience, the cultural experience, and integrate them into their homes, rather than for financial benefits."
