Our Story

We’re Livingstone and Rachael, the founders of Kia Ora Homestay, and we’re passionate about creating meaningful, safe, and enriching homestay experiences for international students and host families alike.

Since September 2023, we’ve personally welcomed and hosted over 70 students from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Through this journey, we’ve witnessed the meaningful cultural exchange and lasting relationships that make homestay a rewarding experience for Kiwi families.

Inspired by our journey, we launched Kia Ora Homestay as a caring, professional agency representing Kiwi families and providing homestay support for international students.

We are committed to matching students with families who genuinely care, creating a supportive environment where students feel safe, included, and part of the whānau. Together, we can provide young people from around the world with a memorable and life-changing New Zealand experience.