COSTS

Considering the eight days of immersive programming (daily classes, lunchtime talks and evening programming / performances), we believe our fees represent excellent value for money and compare very favourably to other immersive self-development experiences and to other professionally-focussed drama programmes.

Course Fees

Earlybird: $700 (paid prior to 31st December 2026)
Standard: $760 (paid prior to 31st March 2027)
A non-refundable deposit of $115 must accompany your Application Form, with the balance of payment to be made prior to 31 December for Earlybird fees and 31 March for Standard fees.

Our preferred method of payment is by direct credit to our bank account:

Bank: ANZ
Account name: The National Youth Drama School Trust
Account number: 01-0646-0246667-00
(Please include your full name as the reference)

We also offer an option to pay by credit card but it incurs a fee from the service provider.

Accommodation

Billet with a host family: (8 nights – Sat to Sat, inclusive) $230**
Hostel: (8 nights – Sat to Sat, inclusive) $590***

Meals

Depending on your accommodation option, you will need pocket money for lunch and/or dinner.

Lunch can be purchased at the local Four Square (including pies, sushi, sandwiches and salads) or at the NYDS sausage sizzle in the school quad. The Four Square is situated right next door to the school.

Havelock North village is a 15-20 minute walk from Havelock North High School down a main thoroughfare and offers several takeaway options for dinner as well as a New World supermarket with deli. On the days there is evening programming, students can walk into the village at the beginning of dinner break and NYDS provides a shuttle-bus to bring them back.

** Host families are asked to provide daily breakfast as well as dinner on the first Saturday and Thursday nights. Your host family may also be willing to provide a packed lunch, and depending on where they are located in relation to the school, may be able to offer evening meals, but this is not expected.
*** The hostel fee includes eight breakfasts and seven dinners, but lunch is not provided. Dinner is not provided on the last Saturday night as all students are in Hastings for NYDS Festival Day and the Gala at Toitoi. There are many affordable dinner options at food outlets near Toitoi, which is in the centre of Hastings. 

Transport

Depending on where you live, you may also need to budget for an airfare or bus ticket to get to Hawke’s Bay. In our experience, these fares become increasingly expensive the closer to NYDS you book. We recommend booking as early as possible.

Fundraising ideas

Many students raise their own funds to attend NYDS – working part-time jobs, organising car washes, holding drama presentations or other fundraising events at school, or asking for sponsorship from local businesses.

Check with your high school as some schools are able to provide financial assistance via scholarships, STAR or Gateway funding. The Careers office is a good place to start.

Refunds / Cancellations

All cancellations must be advised in writing to NYDS at admin@nyds.co.nz.

Refunds will be made based on the following cancellation deadlines:
Before March 31st: Full refund less $110 non-refundable deposit
After March 31st: No refund****

**** After the final deadline, for cancellations resulting from exceptional circumstances, NYDS will consider written requests for a partial refund of Course Fees on a case-by-case basis. However, please be aware that NYDS must provide final numbers to the hostel one week before the start date and that we are unable to refund hostel fees for cancellations after this date, unless there are students on a waiting list who could take your place.