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• Questions

Questions

How do I organise my flights, visa and insurance for my travel to New Zealand?

To book your flights, visa and insurance please download our travel booking form, complete the required fields and email the form to aupairlink@orbit.co.nz

You will then be sent an email from the team at Au Pair Link with a secure link to make an online payment for your flights, visa and insurance. For information on our travel package pricing and whats included, please visit the What does it cost? page in this section of our website.

Who picks me up from the airport?

You will be picked up from the airport by an Au Pair Link representative or a person nominated by us (for example a taxi driver). Your pick-up person will hold a sign with "Au Pair Link" on it – please approach this person and confirm that they are there to pick you up.

What happens during orientation?

You will be spend 3 days in Auckland doing our tailored Au Pair orientation program. Our Au Pairs love this program as they get the chance to wind down before meeting their families, make new friends and also learn a lot of new skills. During orientation you will learn about our expectations of you and what your responsibilities are over the coming year.

I am nervous about driving in New Zealand, can you recommend anything to make me feel better?

It is important that you respect that it is different driving in New Zealand from your home country. It is therefore important that you pay attention during orientation when we teach you about the theoretical aspects of driving in New Zealand. We also recommend that you pick-up the New Zealand Road Code book to learn more about driving in New Zealand.

How do I know what family is most suitable for me?

We will present you to families that we feel suit your requirements and skill-set. We recommend you to be open-minded about your host family, their location and the ages of their children. If you feel that a family is not suitable for you please contact Au Pair Link (or your local representative) and advise us/them of why the family is not suitable for you.

Why do I have to complete so much paper work?

We require all of our Au Pairs to complete their paper work to ensure that they are dedicated to our program and that they want to become an Au Pair in New Zealand. It is important that we understand your background and requirements as it will help ensure that you are placed in a suitable host family.

I don’t think you have a partner in my country, how can I become an Au Pair in New Zealand?

If you want to become an Au Pair in New Zealand but there is no partner agency in your country then please contact us to discuss the options. There may not be a partner if there is no visa for your country and if that is the case, unfortunately we can’t help you.

I have already completed a CPR course, why do I have to do a second one in New Zealand?

Au Pair Link’s rules are for all Au Pairs to complete a New Zealand CPR course. This is to ensure that you are capable in understanding health and safety issues in English. Our CPR course is highly recommended by all of our Au Pairs that have attended the course.

Can my friends and family come and visit me during my year?

Absolutely! We do recommend however that your family only comes and visits you ones you have been in New Zealand for more than 6 months. The reason for this is because it is quite common that Au Pairs become homesick when their family leaves and therefore we try to minimize this. However, this is naturally up to you and your family and if you contact us we may even be able to help you arrange flights for them.

Is it possible for me to explore New Zealand during my year?

Yes absolutely, we recommend that you read about New Zealand before you come out so that you know what things that you would like to see and do while you are in the country. Each week you will have 2 days off and we recommend that you explore your local area and the country during these days.

Can I take any English lessons while I am in New Zealand?

Yes absolutely, Au Pair Link will begin providing English lessons and you can enquire with us directly for pricing relating to these courses.

I don’t have enough experience caring for children, how can I become an Au Pair?

You do need to have a minimum 100 hours of documented childcare experience from when you have been caring for children. The reason for this is because it is a hard job and it is important for us to know that you will be fit for the challenge. If you don’t have enough experience working with children we recommend that you volunteer at a local day care to gain extra experience.

Why do you only receive candidates between the ages 18 – 30?

The age range is due to the visa allowance in New Zealand, therefore we can only work with candidates between the ages of 18 – 30.

I want to become an Au Pair in about 1 year, can I still apply now?

Yes! Start preparing your paper work now. If you want to gain some more experience before you start your year as an Au Pair – now is an excellent opportunity! A lot of our families will know about 6 months prior to arrival if they want an Au Pair so you can expect to match as early as 6 months prior to placement.

Are you able to provide me with a certificate or reference ones I have completed my year?

We will provide all Au Pairs that have completed the 12 month term with their host family with a certificate. For any personal references regarding your daily duties we recommend that you speak to your family about this, however if you don’t have success there discuss it with us and we may be able to help you.

If I have a problem or concern will there be someone that I can speak with in New Zealand?

Yes absolutely! In your area you will have a local ECE (Early Childhood Educator) who will be your contact person. She will be available to you 24/7 and can be contacted either via our 0800 number or on her cell phone.

Why do I have to provide you with my police record, medical certificate, birth certificate etc?

It is important for us to have your complete background before making a placement for you in a New Zealand host family. If there are any problems with your background, for example if you have a criminal record we will review your record and see if we are still able to place you in a host family. If we can’t place you in a host family or decide that you are not suitable for placement it can’t be appealed.

What information will you disclose about me to perspective host families?

We disclose relevant information to our families regarding your person. For example, your personal letter and pictures. However if your police record reflects that you for example have stolen a book - the family will be informed about this and make a informed decision of whether they would like you as their Au Pair.

I have completed my year as an Au Pair in New Zealand (and loved it) can I become an Au pair again?

Yes! But unfortunately you cant continue your year as an Au Pair in New Zealand. We are happy to make arrangements to place you in one of our partner countries, for example Australia, the US, Italy, Spain or France.

How long does it take to match with a host family?

Matching with a host family can sometimes be really fast or sometimes really slow! Depending on when your arrival date is you will find that it varies. If you have registered far in advance it may take a few months to match with a family however if you have recently registered and want to travel out soon then you could be matched with a family within a few weeks.

I’m scared that I won’t have any friends!

Being an Au Pair is not always easy and can be hard to make friends – at first. When you arrive you will speak with your Counsellor and get to meet other Au Pairs in your area. However, we thoroughly encourage you to make friends outside of your Au Pair network and really interact with Kiwis! This is a great opportunity for you to start a new sport (maybe join the Swedish handball team) or take some extra classes and study. It takes a special person to become an Au Pair in New Zealand; you need to be brave and outgoing. Fortunately, Kiwi’s have a reputation for being some of the friendliest and welcoming people on earth!

What are my responsibilities?

Your primary responsibility is to keep the children safe and happy. Much of your day will be spent playing with the children, taking them to activities, organising events for them, reading and spending enjoyable time together. We ask you to help the parents as much as possible. Take initiative and help them to organise packed lunches for the children and cook dinner when you can. It is necessary that you help with the children’s laundry during the days that you work.

Why should I become an Au Pair in New Zealand?

New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The people are kind, loving and easy going. New Zealand is the “adventure capital” of the world (home of the bungy jump) and has some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenery including pristine beaches! There is so much to do and see in New Zealand that you need at least a year here (and probably more).

Once you have registered your interest with us you will receive all our information regarding living in New Zealand.

But if you would like a sneak peak please go to: www.newzealand.com/travel.

Can I contact my family at home?

Leaving home does not mean that you can’t stay in touch with your family. Most families have internet access and you can usually email your parents or even speak to them on Skype. If you do use the home phone to call overseas, make sure that you consult your host parents and that you purchase a phone card. Contact your counsellor for more information regarding calling costs etc.

What happens if I feel uncomfortable with my family?

One of the great benefits of becoming an Au Pair through Au Pair Link is the great support network which is provided. We aim to eliminate the possibility of replacing Au Pairs by actually placing you with the right family straight away! Therefore, it is very important for us that you answer all of our forms truthfully so that we can collect information about you and match it with a host family that suits your needs!

If you are having a problem with your host family, do not hesitate to talk to them about it. If you feel that you cant speak with them and would like to involve your Counsellor - we are happy to give you help and advice on issues concerning your family.

There is no such thing as a perfect match, good relationships and friendships require continual work and positive input.

Are there any good websites where I can find out more about being an Au Pair?

If you would like to find out more about being an Au Pair we recommend that you also visit the website www.aupairguiden.se (if you are from Sweden). On www.aupairguiden.se you can read more about Au Pairs that have been in New Zealand, their experiences and advice!