About us

Giovana started Host Families NZ Limited in 2010. After learning more about her market, she created a strategy to improve and grow the market of homestay families in New Zealand. Giovana personally does the homestay inspection, meets with schools and agents, and takes pride in overseeing the whole operation.

A Brazilian native, Giovana now lives in rural Auckland with her family. Giovana’s goal is to offer the memorable and rewarding experience of hosting an international student to all types of families in New Zealand.

Hui Li is passionate about education and celebrating diverse cultures. With nearly 10 years of experience in the international education sector, she understands both the life-changing opportunities that come with studying abroad and the challenges students may encounter along the way.

Since joining Host Families NZ in 2018, Hui has felt privileged to support students, interns, and visitors in finding a welcoming place to call home. In her current role, she oversees business operations while also driving growth strategies for the organisation.

Deeply proud of the caring and dedicated homestay families in the network, Hui is always excited to introduce them to every applicant and ensure each placement is a safe, supportive, and enriching experience.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Wendy Park brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role as Team Lead for the Auckland Region. She has worked across language schools and tertiary providers, giving her a deep understanding of the student journey and the unique challenges international students may face.

Wendy is known for her professionalism, compassion, and fair approach. She creates a welcoming and supportive environment for students, while upholding high standards in the selection and care of homestay families. Organised and detail-oriented, she ensures every placement provides a safe, comfortable, and positive living experience.

Beyond her professional life, Wendy enjoys playing golf and spending time with her family. Her balance of dedication, fairness, and warmth makes her a trusted guide for both students and host families alike.

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Luiz has been a valued member of Hostfamilies NZ since 2020, bringing both experience and personality to the team. Known for his great sense of humour and positive attitude, Luiz is always ready to lend a hand whenever needed, making him a reliable support for both colleagues and clients.

With extensive experience managing large groups, Luiz has built strong, lasting relationships with students and partner schools. His calm, patient approach and deep understanding of homestay coordination make him a trusted point of contact for everyone he works with.

Outside of work, Luiz is a proud dad to his baby boy, Benjamin, and a loving husband to Laura. In his free time, you’ll most likely find him happily chasing after his little one.

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Carrie is an experienced administrator and student support professional with a passion for helping international students settle into New Zealand. She has worked across education and government sectors, managing tasks such as visa applications, student records, and reception services, which has strengthened her ability to stay calm under pressure and resolve issues efficiently.

Carrie is skilled at facilitating communication between students, host families, and schools, ensuring everyone feels supported and understood.

Known for her calm, approachable, and reliable nature, Carrie prioritises urgent tasks, maintains productivity while working remotely, and has hands-on experience with compliance standards and homestay vetting. By focusing on matching students with the right families, setting clear expectations, and providing ongoing support, she helps create welcoming, positive, and safe homestay experiences.

Clara brings a strong background in healthcare and client-focused roles to her position as a Homestay Coordinator. With experience spanning medical training, insurance operations, and aged care support, she has developed a high level of attention to detail and a genuine, people-first approach to her work.

Clara is deeply committed to ensuring students feel safe, supported, and well cared for during their homestay experience. She takes pride in staying on top of every detail, from placements to ongoing support, and is known for her proactive approach in resolving issues before they arise.

With her caring nature and strong sense of responsibility, Clara consistently looks for ways to improve processes and enhance the experience for both students and host families.