Why Choose Dream?

We are lucky enough to call New Zealand our home. We think it’s one of the best countries in the world. Become an New Zealand Au Pair in today!

The Dream Team has been placing hundreds of Au Pairs into Kiwi families every year for 20 years. We know that each Au Pair and family placement will have unique and individual needs. We’d like to help however we can to ensure your placement is a great success.

New Zealand is a tiny paradise hidden at the bottom of the world. Despite being so far away, we remain one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations. Here are some of the special things about New Zealand that have made it justifiably famous – and why you need to come visit us.

Visa Requirements

To be a Dream Au Pair in New Zealand you must be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. Dream Au Pairs must commit to a minimum term of 6 months with a family. Please check your eligibility here.

Check out what New Zealand has to offer 

Our Incredible Scenery
Within a day or two’s drive you can see spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hills, subtropical forests, a volcanic plateau, and miles of coastline with sandy beaches. Much of these landscapes are protected by National Parks with thousands of kilometres of walks and trails opening their beauty to the public. Check out how amazingly beautiful our country is.

Our People
New Zealanders are naturally warm and friendly and are particularly welcoming. Wherever you go you will receive a friendly smile and a warm welcome.

Our Weather
Although there are four distinct seasons in New Zealand there are not the extremes of hot and cold to be found in most other countries. Any time of year is a pleasant time to explore New Zealand’s wonders.

Our Safety
Crime is low in New Zealand and you are very unlikely to encounter problems. Plus, there are virtually no lethal creatures amongst New Zealand’s wildlife so you can explore without concern for being bitten or eaten!

Our Culture
It’s a fascinating multi-cultural blend with Maori, Pakeha and many other cultures, living together and thriving in a peaceful and vibrant society. Becoming an Au Pair with a Kiwi family provides you with a unique experience into New Zealand culture with the security of a home away-from-home environment.

Being an Au Pair gives you a chance to combine all the exciting travel with gaining work experience in childcare – great if you’re thinking about a future career in Education.

Why be a Dream Au Pair  

  • Special events
  • Au Pair Facebook page for news and events
  • Mediation and re-match if the placement does not work out as expected
  • Up to $520 (gross) End of Placement Bonus
  • 24/7 emergency telephone support
  • 3-day emergency bed
  • Travel discounts
  • Driving Assessment and Lessons (additional cost)

A Typical New Zealand Host Family

A typical Kiwi Host Family will have 2 or 3 children, most often aged between 1 and 12. Most Host Families live in detached 3 or 4 bedroom homes with a back garden where the children can play outdoors.

It’s typical for both Mum and Dad to go to work, though some Au Pairs will be in a parent help role where one parent is home much of the time. Families usually have 2 cars and will sometimes have a car just for the Au Pair’s use.

New Zealand Families are often sporty and enjoy spending time outdoors. They will often spend time together as a family in the weekends.

It is usual for Kiwi Families to eat varied international foods. Hot meals are eaten in the evenings, often with all the family sitting down at the table together. Kiwis are well known as friendly and welcoming hosts.

Au Pair Duties

As an Au Pair in New Zealand you will be required to work between 25 and 45 hours per week. Your Au Pair duties will be mostly related to the children, providing care, supervision and an environment for learning and development. Either sole charge, where both parents are away at work, or as parent helper to share the workload, where there may be a new baby or multiple children to care for.

You can expect to play with and entertain children, attend the children’s activities and classes with them, drop off and pick up from school and kindergarten, cook or prepare snacks and meals for the children, bathe, dress, change and comfort the children

You will be responsible for tidying away toys at the end of the day, cleaning children’s bedrooms, playrooms and bathroom, changing their linen, doing children’s laundry, washing dishes and tidying the kitchen after use – all tasks which relate to the care and well-being of the children in your care.

An example of a typical Au Pair Job Description

Some flexibility will be required with your week schedule to allow for child illness, school holidays and changes to routines or parents work schedules.

Morning

  • Unpack and reload the dishwasher
  • Empty rubbish bin in the kitchen
  • Put washing into the washing machine then hang on the washing line
  • General house tidy up


Afternoon

  • Empty and wash lunch boxes
  • Bring washing in from the line, fold and put away into wardrobes
  • Ensure house tidy and all toys put away
  • Prepare dinner for the kids

Afternoon, ask the children to….

  • Get lunch boxes out of school bags
  • Put shoes in the shoe box
  • Put school uniforms in the washing
  • Bring bikes/scooters/toys in from outside
  • Set the table for dinner


Weekly Tasks

  • Bake muffins/cookies
  • Change the sheets on the kids beds

Your Time Off – Travel and Adventures

You get two days off every week to explore your city as well as up to four weeks paid holiday for every 12 months worked. We recommend finding out about New Zealand before you arrive so you know what you’d like to do during your time off.

Why use an Agency?

By using an agency, you can avoid many of the potential issues you could face and just get on with having a fabulous time as an Au Pair in New Zealand.

Most importantly we know the best families in NZ who need an Au Pair and can match you with them.

Some of the ways an agency can help:

Reviewing Host Families applications and homes
Police vetting Host Families
Providing a New Zealand Employment Contract
Orientation to set you up for the best possible start
Bank account and tax set up and support
Coffee groups and social events where you can meet lots of other local Au Pairs
Re-match policy if your initial placement is unsuccessful
Emergency bed if you need it
Weekly pay paid directly into your bank account
Qualified teachers to support you in your care of children

Placement Process

Here are the steps you’ll take to find your Kiwi Family!

1. Register
Apply to be a Dream Au Pair here. We will review your application and arrange a video chat with you.

2. Matching
You are now in matching! Our Placement Team will be working hard to find the right family for you. Host Families will receive your Profile and will then be in touch to set up skype interviews. Click here for skype interview tips.

3. Job Offer
Once a Host Family extends an offer to you, you will have the chance to accept. Congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming a Dream Au Pair!

4. Payment
We will send you an Invoice for the Au Pair Placement fee. This must be paid in full before your arrival in New Zealand.

5. Get a Visa
You will need to organise and pay for your Work and Holiday Visa for New Zealand.

6. Book flights and buy insurance and jump on a plane to New Zealand!
Discuss a suitable arrival date with your Host Family and book your flights.

7. Orientation & Training
All Dream Au Pairs will attend an online Orientation prior to their arrival into New Zealand. This prepares you for your placement with a Kiwi family.

8. Meet your Host Family
Organise transport with your Host Family, most families pick up their Au Pairs at the airport or plan alternative arrangements if that’s not possible.

Flights, Visa and Insurance

You can apply for your visa here. You will need to complete the visa process yourself, but let us know if you need help with anything.

We also help you with which travel insurance to choose. With over 1,000 of our Au Pairs needing insurance, we know which insurance is best for you.

Check out the FAQs for more information.

How do I get paid?

Au Pair Wages
Dream Au Pairs are paid wages which are proportional to the hours they work each week and the experience they have.

In addition to your weekly wage, Au Pairs are given ‘board and lodgings’ – which is your own private room and access to 3 meals a day plus snacks – just like you’re part of the family.

Completion Bonus
As a Dream Au Pair in New Zealand, at the end of your successful placement you will receive a bonus that equates to $10 for every week that you have worked. For a 12-month placement, you will receive $520 (gross). Perfect to add to your travelling spending money.

Orientation

Dream Au Pair provides online Orientations for all Au Pairs prior to their arrival in New Zealand.

Your Host Family will meet you at the airport and take you to their home. A welcome Pack will be waiting for you at the Families Home including a local SIM card, information on how to set up a NZ bank account and how to apply for an IRD number. Your Host Family will help you with this.

As a Dream Au Pair in New Zealand, you’ll have a chance to make new friends and establish a social group, so important to settling in.

What Does it Cost?

The Placement Fee

The Placement Fee is $895 NZD which includes an online Orientation. The only other things you need to pay for as an Au Pair in New Zealand are your visa, flights and your insurance.

Special Offer

As New Zealand is opening back up to the world we are offering a special rate of $495! Register today!

Your Visa and Flight 

You will need to cover the cost of your flight from your home country to New Zealand. If you need help, our team can help you with your travel dates and visa application.

Am I eligible to Apply?

To participate in the Dream Au Pair Programme, Au Pair candidates will need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be aged at least 18 at the time of application and no older than 30
  • Be a non-smoker
  • Have a valid driver’s licence with a certified translation or an international drivers licence
  • Be eligible for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
  • Have at least 200 hours of childcare experience and references
  • Be able to commit to a 6-12 month placement
  • Have a clean police record
  • Have a medical certificate

(When arriving between October and December the Au Pair must be able to commit to stay until the end of June the following year)

Apply Now

Take the First Step

If you are interested in becoming an Au Pair in New Zealand, please fill in our Registration Form. Once you’ve applied, we will be in touch to talk to you about next steps.