Kerry - Host Mother to Linda, North Shore

Au Pair Link came into our lives at the perfect time. I was in need of a replacement au pair, and was desperately searching the Internet for reliable sources of au pairs. I was registered with one au pair website (which I paid for) and the results were disappointing - either I was contacted by completely inappropriate candidates, or was dealing with "timewasters" - girls who seemed great, and I spent a lot of time emailing, only to be told weeks later that they weren't prepared to make to move to New Zealand. That's when Au Pair Link made contact with me. After this bad experience, their promise of finding me a Swedish au pair seemed too good to be true - but within 2 weeks, I had a selection of pre-screened au pair options presented to me, and I had the luxury of choosing one!

We have not looked back and we count our blessing every day as Linda is a godsend to this family. I feel that she has as much interest and passion in raising our children well as we do. It is not luck that we have such a treasure - it is because Au Pair Link did the hard work for us an screened and interviewed many girls to find only the best. I will use Au Pair Link again, without question, and recommend them to other families who want quality home care for their children. It is a service worth paying for.

Kerry Dunphy, (Host Mother to Linda) Auckland

Stewarts story (Host Father to Emil)

“When you consider getting an au pair into your family it’s a big step. For the next 12 months this person will share your home and have control of your children. The agency made sure that they understood my needs and then sent me quite a long list of candidates. I was surprised at that. Most other agencies seemed only to care about their commission but this seemed to be the last discussion point.

The agency has kept up contact with the au pair and things have worked out and it’s like having a second son although a little older!  It’s very important that you are not abandoned when the au pair arrives as often this is a very tricky time for all concerned. Many have left home for the first time. All in all I thought the service was excellent and intend on using the agency again.”

Stewart O’Brien, North Shore

Vicky’s story, Host Mother – North Island

“I had never previously employed an Au Pair or even had a nanny help me with my children, so for me it was a hard decision to decide to employ someone.  I immediately began looking for Au Pairs online and I found a lot of different sites that offered to match you with an Au Pair via the internet. I thought it was a great idea to find someone online, but when I began speaking to some of the applicants – I soon realised that it was much harder than I had at first imagined.

My children are my number one priority and to hire someone to take care of their wellbeing and their safety –online, without any type of security or guarantee scared me. In the weeks that followed I stumbled over a couple of different sites but it was not until a friend recommended me to use Au Pair Link that I felt as if I had finally made the right decision!

As soon as I spoke to Au Pair Link, I felt at ease! The representative for the company really took time out to speak with me and understand my needs.  I could call her any time of day (basically) and any day of the week. We spoke on Sunday nights and Monday mornings and when I agreed to begin the process with them I felt confident that we would succeed! The following day they had already placed two advertisements tailored for our families need and began scanning through their database. The next week they began presenting me with alternatives for Au Pairs and discussed the benefits with some Au Pairs verses others – it was clear to me that they did not want to just place anyone with my family. After a bit of consideration & contacting the girls that applied for the role – my husband and I picked our Au Pair.

In the weeks that followed Au Pair Link helped our Au Pair with everything from her visa & flights to her insurance as well as calming her nerves! When she came to New Zealand we all thought it was great and the kids love her! I really could not be happier, and it makes both our Au Pair feel safe and us as well – that she has someone to speak to and give her advice when she needs it (and us to). What you need to remember is that it is never easy to have a new person living with your family. But as long as you stay open-minded and you are willing to communicate – any and all problems can be solved!

I think it is important to be thorough when you chose your method of childcare. It amazes me that people take such care when choosing their child’s preschool and school – but that some people can take it so relaxed when choosing the method of childcare in your own home! Having an Au Pair is an affordable option for most families – the only concern is that you “do it right” from start to finish – and that is what this agency helped me do!

Thank you Au Pair Link for making this possible for our family! I would thoroughly recommend using this agency, not only because they provide excellent service – but because they do really care about both their Au Pairs and their families.”

Best wishes from us and Good Luck for the future – we will definitely use your services again next year!

Sheree - Host Mother to Petronella, Auckland CBD

"Charlie's a happy little boy... he loves Petronella, going to Kindy & life in general... we are very fortunate that everything has worked out so well for us."

Sheree Porter, Auckland (Host Mother to Petronella)

Linda’s story (Au Pair in Kerry’s family)

“To take the big step out into the world can open many doors. For me, there was a big door that opened and I was immediately taken to the Dunphy family. And I am very happy and proud of myself that I took the step into their house, because they are an amazing family!

As you may understand I work as an Au Pair in a Kiwi/Canadian family with three wonderful little boys. Originally I was a bit doubtful to live with a family that had three little boys under the age of four – but I tried to see the positive in it and not the negative. This is something that I am really grateful for today as I am very happy. Because some people may think that they know everything about the world at the age of 23. But I have now understood that I have a lot left to learn and that is the great thing about being an Au Pair – that you learn new things every day from your kids! Well that’s at least what I do!

I think that coming in to a family as an Au Pair can definitely be a hard thing and it may even feel uncomfortable. But my family was very used to having an Au Pair in their house. I was immediately looked upon as a big sister/friend to the family which is a wonderful feeling. It is a great feeling to become part of a family that you are working and living with and by doing so learning about a new country and way of life. It is especially a great opportunity to learn about New Zealand and develop your language skills. So if you have the chance to go, I definitely think you should take it!

It is a very varied job as you have to be able to be flexible as your plans may suddenly change, therefore it is important that you are level-headed and that you can stand on your own two feet! Because anything can happen with children around – especially with three wee ones! My days go by so quickly, we go to playgrounds, have a picnic on the beach, have soccer games in the backyard, we read books, go to the zoo and do lots of baking! You always have to be aware of your great responsibility and the fact that it is for the children that you have become an Au Pair.

So if I can give you some advice, don’t hesitate to come to New Zealand. There is a big group of Swedish Au Pairs here, as well as Au Pairs from other countries. So you never have to feel alone! All you have to do is pick up the phone when you feel like it and call a friend in your spare time!

Transnational Au Pair Link was a really good company to travel with. What meant the most to me was the contact that I had with Kicki in Sweden. I always felt like I could call her and after I emailed her – feeling a bit nervous, she called me immediately to sooth my worries (and nerves) and provide answers to my questions!

When I arrived in New Zealand, Cecilia was here which has felt very safe, as I have a representative from the company so close by. Because at the end of the day, anything can happen, and having someone from home just around the corner has meant the world to me!

So don’t hesitate, take the chance if you get it – both to have an Au Pair or become one! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it will never come again.”

Kind Regards

Linda Persson, Auckland, New Zealand

To read more about Linda’s adventure (written in Swedish) please visit:
http://www.resedagboken.se/Default.aspx?documentId=3&userId=95096&section=undefined
or go to www.resedagboken.se and search for Linda Persson!

Emil’s story! (Au Pair in Stewart’s family)

“I really wanted to become an Au Pair because it is a great way to both live and work while you are travelling abroad. I had worked with children for several years coaching them in soccer – so for me it became the perfect alternative.

The family that I live with have one boy who loves soccer just like me! My family is really sweet and they treat me so well, I feel like a family member!  I get a lot of free-time to do what I want and they help me with the things that I need help with.  I get along really well with the son in the family and we do a lot of fun things together, I do really feel like his older brother! Some days we get frustrated at each other, you will always have bad days, but as soon as it comes on it passes. It is just like a normal family!

The best thing about being an Au Pair is seeing the world and living with a different family. It is fun seeing how a different family works as I have only lived in my own family before.    We do fun things together, go camping and watch soccer games!
Another great thing about being an Au Pair in New Zealand – is that you get to see New Zealand and actually live here! It is an amazing country and the people are so kind and lovely.  They are very helpful and I have already got an extra job coaching a soccer team here (some of the girls on my team even play on the national team!).  Living abroad and being an Au Pair is a great opportunity to have lots of fun and meet people from all around the world. I have met a lot of people through my team and I meet the trainers from the team a lot! We go out and think of fun things to do together! I have built up my own network as well as staying in touch with the other Au Pairs that are here.

Transnational Au Pair Link has given me excellent service. In Sweden I had superb help from Kicki who guided, “pushed” (when I was slow with my application) and helped me with every step of the process. She spent hours (literally) on the phone to me helping me with different aspects of the process. I really felt supported and when I came to New Zealand there was help here as well! I would not have been here without the help of Kicki – that’s for sure! Recently we had an Au Pair dinner where I met some of the other Au Pairs, it was a great intimate setting and I know that if I ever need any help I can just pick up the phone and call my Counsellor!

The only bad thing about being an Au Pair is that it only lasts a year! I am already trying to find a way to stay longer!”

Hope to see you in New Zealand,

Emil (Fran Dalarna)

Petronella’s story (Au Pair in Auckland)

“My sister, my best friend and a girl at my former work had all been au-pairs and sounded really positive about their experience. People have always told me that I have really good care with children as well so it felt quite naturally to work in this field.  I also wanted to leave Sweden to live and work  in another country and become a part of that culture. Since my family is  kiwi I really get to see the real kiwi lifestyle.

I take care of a gorgeous little boy who always seems to amaze me with his charms. He just turned four and we had a nice party with Spiderman theme there was also a lot of cake and bouncing castles. Children give so much without even thinking about it. The family treats me really nice and although I don't feel like their daughter I feel like something in-between a friend and a daughter I guess. It's nice to live with other people and you really develop as a person. It is true as they say you have to respect others to get respect back. You learn a lot about yourself.

I like to have a lot of stuff happening around me so I have a activity every day of the week. This involves handball, soccer and theatre backstage. These create a great opportunity to meet other people with equal interests. Through the handball I've been to Wellington and we will go to New Caledonia as well. In the weekends I spend time with my friends or take the opportunity to travel around NZ.

There are so many great things about being an Au Pair that I don't know where to start or where to end. You get the chance to meet a lot of lovely nice people and make friends for life. This is really an adventure and a once in a lifetime opportunity. This week I will travel down to Christchurch and then further to Queenstown - where I will do my big "JUMP" my bungy jump.

To be here in New Zealand has given me one of the greatest experiences in my life. I don't want to think about the day when I have to leave all this. Without the support and help from  Transnational Au Pair Link this wouldn’t have been possible and they really got a perfect match with the family for me.“

See you down under!

Petronella