Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1 - Preliminary provisions

To which hostels do these regulations relate?

(Refer Regulation 5)

These regulations relate to a hostel if

1. the hostel is used for the accommodation of five or more students that are not a family member, or related to the hostel owner AND
2. each student's accommodation is provided for valuable consideration (meaning: accommodation is provided for a fee/cost) and for one or more periods each of which is longer than three consecutive nights.

These regulations don't relate to a hostel being used, for a period of up to three months, or for a longer period approved by the authority, mainly or solely for the accommodation of students because of an emergency (e.g. earthquake, pandemic...).

Questions have been raised about specific institutions. The decision is as follows:

• School hostels: yes
• School/EOTC lodges: generally no, because they are not mainly used for boarding students for education purposes. Please contact the Hostel office if unsure.
• Privately owned lodges: generally no, because they are not mainly used for boarding students for education purposes. Please contact the Hostel office if unsure.
• Health Camps: yes
• Hospital school: no, because they are not mainly used for boarding students for education purposes
• Private dwellings: yes, if 5 or more students unrelated to the family are boarding for education purposes
• Private dwelling used to accommodate hostel students during school holiday time: yes, if there are five or more students unrelated to the family

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Part 2 - Licensing for hostels

Who may apply and how?

(Refer Regulation 9)

1. An application for a licence for a hostel must be made -
   1. by or on behalf of the hostel's owner; and
   2. on a form provided for the purpose by the authority.
2. The application must be lodged with the authority.

When do I need to send in the application?

There was a transition period of 12 months, starting from the day that the Regulations came into force on 01/03/2006. All existing hostels must now be licensed.

For how long is my hostel licence valid?

(Refer regulation 15)

The hostel licence is valid for three years. The expiry date will be written on the licence. Your application for renewal must be received by the authority 20 working days prior to expiry.

When else do I need to renew my licence?

(Refer Regulations 19 and 20)

You will need to renew your licence when there is a:

• Change of ownership
• Change of premises
• Change of operations

The expiry date, however, will remain the same.

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Part 3 - Minimum standards for hostel premises and facilities

Number of persons permitted to sleep in a bedroom

(Refer Regulation 44 (e) and the Guidelines to the Hostel regulations page 21)

What is half a person?

Half a person is considered to be a child older than one year but younger than 10 years.

Number of persons permitted to sleep in a bedroom. Is this table a guideline or a requirement?

The table consists of guidelines. However, if a hostel is newly built, the rooms should fulfil the requirements shown.

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Part 4 - Code of practice relating to management of hostels

Who is responsible when boarder travels to or from home to or from the hostel?

(Refer Regulation 56: Procedures of granting boarders leave of absence)

This depends on the policies and procedures developed by the hostel in consultation with the parents and boarders and the contractual arrangements between the hostel and the parents/caregivers at the time of enrolment.

The procedures may take individual circumstances into account.

Infectious and other diseases, etc. Where can I find information on "reasonably practicable steps"?

(Refer Regulation 64)

Please refer to the Ministry of Health website - www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza, or the Ministry of Education Pandemic Planning website - www.minedu.govt.nz/PandemicPlanning.

When can parents have contact with, or access to, boarders?

(Refer Regulation 66)

Parents should be allowed to have contact with, of access to a boarder whenever the boarder is present at the hostel and there is no good reason to deny access. Good reason is set out in Regulation 66 (2). However, every hostel has certain procedures to operate efficiently that should be respected by students and parents alike and understood on enrolment.