The most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people – regardless of nationality – desire the same basic things: a safe, comfortable, environment that allows for a rich and satisfying life for our children and ourselves. Youth Exchange provides thousands of young people  with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and to experience their cultures. This plants the seeds for a  lifetime of international understanding.

The programme provides Clubs with opportunity to host an overseas secondary school student (aged between 16 and 18) for a year to experience life and culture in a foreign country to further their education and personal development. While not a direct exchange clubs can also provide the same opportunity for a Kiwi student to travel overseas for twelve months.

Students arriving in New Zealand generally commence the exchange in July. Clubs will need 3-4 host families and a counselor to advise and support the student during their stay.

Kiwi students leave in January for their twelve month exchanges. They need a local District 9940 club to assess and sponsor them. This has very limited fnancial implications for orientation and uniform, but does require that the club appoint a NZ counselor and to support the student.

Without question this programme not only creates friendships between students, hosts and clubs lasting a lifetime, but also enables young men and women to realize their potential and start them on a journey for roles as Rotarians and community leaders.

Visit the District 9940 Youth Exchange Website. Click here.

International Students for Full Year Exchange Requirements:

• Must be aged at least 16 but under 18 before departing in January.
• Above average academic ability and in year 12 or 13 at time of application.
• Be outgoing and of pleasant nature with a good character and reputation to fit the role as an ambassador for New Zealand and Rotary.
• Are New Zealand citizens (born in New Zealand or Naturalized).
• Are medically fit with no serious medical conditions.
• Are able to accept discipline and are capable of adjusting to new and strange conditions.
• They should be adaptable and capable of conforming to live with up to four different hosts families in the year away.

Selected students must undertake to abide by Rotary International Youth Exchange Rules relating to the 4 “D’s ...

• Drugs
• Driving
• Drinking And
• Serious Dating.

And must accept Host Parents control.

Students are selected solely on merit.

Costs to Parents for Outbound (NZ) students and family

• Application Registration Fee of $500 confirms to Rotary the students acceptance of Rotary’s invitation onto the program. This Registration Fee is non-refundable. Two further payments to cover the Rotary costs of the exchange year are invoiced for payment on 20th September ($4,000) and for 20th November ($4,000) prior to departure. The payments described above cover the following:
• Weekend on Kauwhata Marae, Feilding
• Rotary dress blazer, scarf/tie/name-badge
• Round the world return travel from domestic airport nearest to student’s home town
• All Visa application costs
• Comprehensive tailored Travel Insurance for 12 months abroad
• Three night stopover in Los Angeles for students travelling to USA, Mexico, Canada or Europe. Includes day visit passes to Disneyland and Universal Studio’s. Visit and meal following arrival, usually at Venice Beach.

Or:

• Three night stopover at Santiago, Chile for students travelling to South America. Includes tour of Parliament and local tourist attractions.
• Home hosting by Rotarian families in Host District/Country, usually 3-4 families during the year away
• Monthly allowance paid by Host Rotary Club
• Invited as guest of Rotary to weekly meetings
• Attendance at Debrief Weekend following return home
• Counsellors in both Host Town and Sponsor Rotary Club’s

Family costs during the 12 month exchange in addition to the $8,500 paid to Rotary include spending money, optional tours, possible language course, communication costs, gifts and souvenirs etc. These costs can vary from country to country and from student to student, however the average additional costs for the year in recent years have shown to be $4,000 - $6,000. The overall maximum could reach $20,000, depending on the financial management abilities of the student.

Costs to Rotary Clubs for Outbound Students

• Students application fee to District, usually $80.00
• The student’s parents meet all other costs.

Costs to Rotary Clubs for Inbound Students

The cost to Rotary clubs for inbound students is approximately $2,000-2,500 made up as follows:

• Monthly allowance
• Conference registration
• Orientation weekend
• Marae weekend
• Debrief weekend
• Students application fee to District

In addition, the club will meet cost of meals at club meetings.

Vetting forms for host families

Rotary is required to undertake a vetting of all its host families.

For Police explanatory letter click here
For everyone over 18 living in the host household consent form click here

To facilitate this process, Rotary has appointed a District Police Liaison person.

The District Police Liaison person is:

David Green
10 Wright Grove,
Levin 5500

David can be contacted on (06) 367 0559 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The process for vetting is:-

• the Club completes all forms with proposed Host person/s.
• the Club posts all forms to David, enclosing a stamped envelope for the Police to use to reply to David.
• David sends all forms to the Police Licensing & Vetting Service and awaits their reply.
• David replies to Rotary club, only if needed.

District Committee