A Hokitika school says it's devastated by a reported assault on an international student by a member of his host family.
Westland High School says it hopes an incident on 4 July involving a Chinese student, aged 15, and his host family father won't put a black mark against the overseas student programme.
Westland High School principal Tony Guilliland says there are strict policies to vet homestay parents and to ensure a safe environment for students.
He says he's deeply saddened by the incident.
Hokitika police say a man has been charged with assault and is due to appear in the Greymouth District Court on 22 July.
