Experience Living and Working in New Zealand as an Au Pair

Pros:
I enjoyed working in NZ as an Au Pair and would probably do it again. I'm also really happy that for my first time au pairing I went through an agency. Au Pair Link is a great agency and they do their best to help you out, they also generally make sure that you'll be going into a safe environment. The people working at Au Pair link were very kind and supportive, and they did their best to match me with a family, and they have a great re-matching process if you need it. If you choose to do this, you'll probably end up getting really close with your program manager and I totally recommend it! Especially if you're like me and do it at 18, it's really a Godsend to have someone who has your back. Kiwi culture is one of the warmest and most welcoming you could ever ask to experience! The kids were amazing in both of my host families! Also, New Zealand in general is full of lovely amazing people that will change your life! Host families can be hit or miss but most of my friends had really wonderful experiences (So I would say the odds are in your favour!). Besides the job aspect, NZ is full of so many fantastic outdoor and community opportunities if you have the chance to go, GO! :)

Cons:
I would say some of the only downsides about Au Pair Link is that they didn't really inform au pairs about how taxes/tax refunds in NZ worked, and they weren't really checking to make sure that if a host family was paying their au pair in cash that the family was paying the au pair's taxes (personally this ended up causing a massive dramatic scene with my first host family). Another factor of privacy is they didn't really require a host family to have a lock on their au pair's room door for privacy/safety (my first host dad (when intoxicated) would occasionally push my door open at night and ask me questions and my second host mum would go through my room on the weekends when I was gone). If those things are a concern to you, check with your host family before accepting a contract. However, my biggest con was that my program manager tried talking me into staying with my second host family even though they were treating me poorly. I would say just make sure you know what is best for you and really stand by it, even if your program manager might try and say otherwise (and even if you're scared of what could happen if you quit).

TIPS:
I would also ask your host family how much cleaning is involved because it may end up surprising you.
>Also I would recommenced that if you choose to do this, do at least 2-3 skype interviews and have questions prepared before each interview with your possible host family/ies.
>Read your contract and know what you're entitled to as an au pair!
>Also be aware that about half of your paycheck IS going to your host family for room and board so don't feel bad if you have dietary requirements and need to ask for specific foods! (though you should defo inform them of this prior to accepting a contract).

I wish you the best of luck!

At first I thought it was pretty pricey but I'm so glad that I went for it! It is so worth it. It is my first time being away from home and so it is very comforting to have someone always there when you need them. The families are all screened, as well as the au pairs. My family is awesome, just take time to pick one! You each have a family programme manager who you meet with monthly and they give you a bag of themed books and toys for your kids under five. Also just checks that everything is going okay with your family and checks in with your host parents as well. There are also weekly coffee groups you can go to to meet people. And au pair events during each month! Overall it is so worth the money just to have that security that if something did go wrong you have support!

The beginning is always hard. I was in a new family and in a new city. I was alone and I missed my friends. But when the kids come for the first time to cuddle you you know you've done everything right. And even if not everything is perfect they love you and you love them too. :) Beeing an Au Pair is more than just a Job. It's about becoming a member of a second family.

From day one I knew that I had chosen the right thing to do. I left my safety zone in Sweden to go over 17000km away, to New Zealand.

I was going to take care of three boys, and how was I supposed to manage that? I'm only 19 (20 now). But after a few weeks with these boys I fell in love. They are so caring and they have been giving me everything I wanted. They have made me grow as a person.

How are you supposed to leave such a great family, that has given you everything. They have given me a new way to see life, they have given me a woundeful friendship and a reason to come back here. I can't believe that a year ago I was stuck in my little hometown just dreaming about going overseas and here I am, I'm overseas with an amazing family that has made my time here so worth it.

If anyone ever had a chance to go overseas, I just want to say this -TAKE IT. Because it will change your life forever.

Beiing Aupair in New Zealand is one of the best thing you could do in your life. Since I'm here I had met lots of different people and I made lots of new friends. And I also found a second family! It is the best way to travel a new country and to learn something about New Zealands culture.

The decision to become an au pair was the best think I could ever do after school!
You have the possibility to live in a lovely kiwi family and on the other side you can travel around in your free time!

I'm really enjoying my time in NZ and I'm glad that I have got such a nice family and program manager from Au Pair Link.

That's probably the best time of my life and I will never regret my decision!

I honestly am beyond grateful for the experiences that Aupairlink has provided me with thus far in my journey throughout New Zealand. It was always my plan to travel the country, but having Aupairlink facilitate a big part of this exploration has made the trip and experiences that much easier and more beneficial.
I really enjoy the outings that are organized through au pair link as well as the playgroups. There are a few things that I find to be a bit frustrating at playgroup when it comes to the language barriers, but overall I have had the chance to meet many fellow au pairs through these weekly meet ups. I also think that the coffee groups were an amazing idea as well. I enjoy meeting new people, especially at the beginning, i found it very helpful to have the coffee groups to go to on the nights where I just wanted to get out of the house.
I am also grateful for the contract that is agreed upon in the beginning between the host family and au pair. Although I haven't had any issues whatsoever with my host family that we needed the contract to solve, I have noticed that my friends who are not with aupairlink have suffered from the lack of a contract to fall back on. I am so happy these problems were never ones I had to deal with. Makes me really feel a part of the family when we know the boundaries, rules, and regulations ahead of time in order to meet all expectations from both ends.

I have not had any problems whilst I have been with Au Pair Link but I have a great relationship with both my host family and family manager so I think any problems could be easily sorted. The number of au pairs in my area is great and I made friends quickly and easily. Myself and the boys always look forward to playgroup.