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Alexandra
Alexandra in Central Otago is the place to be if you like distinct seasons and beautiful surroundings.
Otago
Otago seems to have it all, from beaches to mountains, to rivers, to adventure sports for adrenalin-seekers. The city of Dunedin has much Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and a vibrant student culture thanks to the esteemed University of Otago. The region’s landscape includes both hill country and the Southern Alps, which draw thousands of tourists to Queenstown, the heartbeat for adventure sports in New Zealand. Stay in Otago during all the seasons and you’ll experience hot and dry summers in Central Otago, and snowfall in winter. If you want to live rent-free by house sitting, Otago is arguably not only one of the most beautiful places to do it, it’s also one of the most welcoming.
Hello I am Jahn, My husband and I are a 'young' retired couple, grey around the…
Hello I am Jahn, My husband and I are a 'young' retired couple, grey around the edges but lively and interested in the things of life. Both of us have worked all our lives in various roles; Paul as a tablet maker, maintenance guy for several large companies, supervisor of the Tool Shop of a large international company, he excels in his ability to 'fix things' and is a very steady hand. I have experience in Office Administration and Community Support work, currently studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts and the Dunedin Art School. We have both travelled extensively and know what it is like to go away and worry about things at home. So, we are house sitters for people who want the assurance that their pets and their property will be cared for with love and diligence. We both have a wide range of experience in the care and handling of many different breeds of dog from a little Chihuahua up to a huge Great Dane and many other breeds in between, and we cannot forget those beloved friends of the mixed breed variety. Dont let us forget either our feline friends as well. My husband had the care of 20 + chickens at one stage, so we are fairly well versed in the care of domestic pets. Paul and I do regular house sitting for friends and acquaintances, who require pet sitting as their priority. One experience where there were two dogs and a cat, I ran the clothing alteration business (attached to the house and property) while Paul took care of the house and lawns etc for 3 months. Recently we were caretakers for a local holiday park for 3 months (over the Winter while the owners had a break) again where the large Labrador was our main priority,.while the owners were away. There have been many other placements, usually by referral. We are very hands on and can take care of pretty well everything that that requires attending to as well as keeping in touch with the owners, on a regular basis; for reassurance that all is well at home. We pride ourselves on careful attention to detail. We specialise in looking after pets, as well, which is why we have mainly been asked to step in, frequently at very short notice.
Hi there! My name is Frances and I live in central Dunedin. I am an Artist that…
Hi there! My name is Frances and I live in central Dunedin. I am an Artist that works from home. I find this works in well with offering my services as a house and pet sitter, not only does it allow me to regularly travel around both the South and North Island of New Zealand, but it enables me to spend quality time at home befriending and looking after your pets, giving them that one on one company, attention and continuity of care and routines that they are used too. I am a mature single woman, with no dependents and have an animal-loving personality. I come from a large Dutch, farming family from the Waikato, so from a young age I started house and pet sitting for family and friends. I am a very reliable, honest, clean and tidy person with good communication skills, with references that can verify this to put your mind at rest:) I have had many house sitting positions over the years, the most current being for Alan, in Otautau, Southland (see reference attached). This was a large property with one gorgeous dog and I cared for him for around three months. Over Christmas I house sat for Rosie and Ian in Christchurch for 6 weeks, they had one dog, two cats, a goldfish and a vege patch (see other reference attached). These were both very enjoyable experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with their pets and sharing their spaces with them. I also have a picture of Casper the dog in my profile - as you can see, we are out taking him for a bit of a driving lesson :) As my references will tell you, I am a trustworthy and respectful person who communicates well. I am very reliable, clean and tidy and have been told by past home owners that what they appreciated most was not only did they come home to a clean and tidy house, but they could see that their animals were well cared for and loved. I am a bright creative friendly person who you will find a delight to have in your home. Thank you for taking the time to consider my online profile and feel free to call my referees, who will be more than happy to vouch for my character and skills as a house sitter and pet minder. I do hope to meet with you and your pets shortly. Warmest regards...Frances:)
*Often available at short notice* LGBTQIA Friendly. We are two mature friendly …
*Often available at short notice* LGBTQIA Friendly. We are two mature friendly ladies, one of whom is transgendered. Kathy (62) is a Kiwi and Joliene (60) is Australian/Croation We own a “lock and leave” apartment on the Gold Coast Australia and live between Australia and New Zealand. We enjoy traveling whenever we can. We were with Airbnb in Australia for some years ranked as Super Hosts but now as almost grey nomads we have swapped this for travel and house/pet sitting because we miss having a furry friend ourselves. We are happily married and are currently living in New Zealand supporting our sister/sister-in-law who is undergoing cancer treatment here in Christchurch. We are wanting to give ourselves and her some space from time to time, hence the house/ pet sitting. We both love all animals especially cats Dogs and horses. Kathy: Is an artist and retired Registered Nurse and Forensic Psychologist. She lived on a farm for several years and has looked after chickens, sheep, cattle, sheep dogs, horses, fish, guinea pigs, pet frogs and birds. She can drive tractors and four-wheel moter-bikes. She has her car, motorbike, boat and jet ski licences Joliene: is a private Pilot and owns a small aeroplane. She worked in Electronics and with computers for many years and she now work’s online on the American stock market. Personally, we have shared our life with 4 dogs over the years (Max- a German shepherd, Ben a miniature Poodle, Pepper a miniature toy Pomeranian, molly a Staffordshire terrier, five cats, numerous fish, guinea pigs and cockatoos. We have looked after our friends very old blind dog in Brisbane and cared for Preston a Staffordshire bull terrier for two years. We regularly walk a cute miniature schnauzer dog call Jemma for her owner who has MS. We regularly cat sit Usher- a rag doll mix when we are over on the Gold Coast Australia. We both love walking and would be more than happy to take your dogs for a walk, and look after them and your house like they are our own. We are happy to water gardens, look after your veggie patch and mow the lawn. If you are looking for someone who would respect your home, is honest, neat and tidy and would enjoy looking after your buddies, then let us know how we can help. We hope to hear from you soon Kathy & Joliene
Hello I’m a friendly, easygoing retiree who welcomes the opportunity to visit …
Hello I’m a friendly, easygoing retiree who welcomes the opportunity to visit pastures both new and old, near and far. I love being around animals, especially dogs and cats. Since all international travel is still off the cards I'm embarking on a three month road trip around NZ from early February. I view housesitting as a wonderful way to get to know locations in a 'home from home' environment. I am passionate about travel, and the cost saving benefits of looking after other people’s homes are a big plus compared to staying in hotels which I find sterile and impersonal. I am quiet living (definitely not a party animal!) with no bad habits. And I have no medical issues nor take any medication. The simple pleasures suit me best and walking I particularly enjoy. And I love good food, good films, good books and good conversation. I’ve owned four homes over the past 40+ years in New Zealand, most of that time spent on glorious Waiheke Island, population 8500. Living here is very hands on as we don't have the same amenities as the mainland and, being a resourceful person by nature, there's little that fazes me. For 10 years I lived in a rural location (23 acres, mostly protected bush) which ran totally off the grid. I now live in the more ‘urban’ area where I have a separate chalet which I let out in the warmer months to holidaymakers. Consequently I am used to taking care of other people's needs and space as well as my own. I currently have a 3 yr old cat, Milo, a very cute rescue. In the past (among numerous other puddytats) two dogs, a RetrieverX and a Spoodle, have shared my home and heart. So you could be rest assured I would look after your pets and home as my own. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Best, Gillian
Hi there Our names are Mike (61 years young) and Sandy (Actually young 51). Hi…
Hi there Our names are Mike (61 years young) and Sandy (Actually young 51). Hi I'm Mike and I am a professional musician, I have been involved with the music industry for 45 years here in New Zealand and in Australia. I was brought up on a farm in the Bay of Islands and went to school in Whangarei. Because of my touring lifestyle, pet ownership has not always been possible. However I did have a three legged dog named Pup when I was younger. Pup would ride everywhere with me on my motorbike. She actually toured all over NZ with me. I enjoy all animals, especially dogs and I have done plenty of house and pet sitting for friends over the years. Hi I'm Sandy. I have been working predominantly in the tourism/hospitality industry for the last 10 years. Presently based in the Bay of Islands I am originally from Raglan in the Waikato. I have had a variety of pets as a young child growing up. Cats, rabbits, birds, turtles, dogs and a horse. Most recent was Roxy a mixed breed dog and Dennis a Exotic Persian cat. Both of these passed away due to old age and health issues. We are now traveling NZ and would love to be able to help you out with looking after your house and pets while you are away.
I am a young at heart, mature and responsible travel loving adventurer. I lov…
I am a young at heart, mature and responsible travel loving adventurer. I love animals and have had a variety of pets including dogs, cats, fish and birds including chickens, so I understand how hard it can be when you have to leave them with strangers. I used to regularly look after my landlady's pets including a Shitzu, 3 cats, a parrot, a cockatiel and a canary, and I used to run my own cleaning business, so you will come back to a house at least as clean as I found it. My background is in nursing so I am used to administering medication, including insulin, to people and would be willing to learn to administer it to pets if required. In my current business as a freelance Proofreader and Editor all I need is a WiFi connection and I can work from anywhere, which means that your pets will be seeing a lot of me, so more cuddles and exercise for everyone, and more security for your home and for your peace of mind. Previously I worked for nursing and care agencies which involved working in residential homes caring for people, frequently in new environments, so I am used to being able to quickly assess my surroundings and situations and deal with the unexpected when necessary. Every job I have had has required a police check due to the nature of my profession so rest assured that I am responsible and trustworthy. I retired last year so I have plenty of spare time on my hands and am available at fairly short notice. I look forward to meeting you and caring for your home and pets. Regards Jan
Hi I am a 61 year old semi retired draftsman doing occasional contract work in …
Hi I am a 61 year old semi retired draftsman doing occasional contract work in New Zealand. I am a minimalistic, tidy, highly organised, responsible and trustworthy person with high standards in whatever I undertake. I love animals and travel so house sitting is a perfect way to combine these. I have been house sitting in Australia recently but covid has bought an end to this. I have completed three house sits in Australia and a two recent ones in Christchurch. Two have been with cats, two with dogs and one with a dog, cat and chickens. They have all resulted in excellent reviews. I currently live in Christchurch but am free to travel for house sitting in New Zealand. I make myself unavailable for any contract work while on a house sit so I can provide full-time attention to your pets and house. You can trust that your pets will have a caring and fun time while you are away. Regards Brian
Hi there, We are a recently retired married couple who found ourselves forced in…
Hi there, We are a recently retired married couple who found ourselves forced into a slightly earlier than planned retirement due to the 2020 situation. However out of the bad, always comes something good and we are now enjoying our freedom and the exciting venture of exploring our beautiful land! In my earlier life, I worked in many different office roles from telex to secretarial and also as a temp office worker. In later years I spent 7 years as a caregiver in Auckland which I loved. Since our move to Kerikeri, I have been the receptionist in my husband's Osteopathic Clinic. Both roles involved close liaison with clients and good listener capabilities including an empathic nature which my husband says I have an overdose of! In my spare time, I like to write, (am working on a book) and in recent years discovered a love of painting. I even sold a few in exhibitions which was a total surprise to me but great for my confidence! Bruce, my husband has been a Naturopath and Osteopath for most of his working life and is VERY handy to fix those aches and pains - lucky me! Bruce is an avid golfer, in fact, much of our travelling itinerary seems to revolve around golf courses...! He is a keen fisherman though the fish aren't often that keen on him. He perseveres though and every now and then we dine of the ocean's bounty! So with our early retirements, we have taken to the road in our luxury caravan catching up with family and friends and enjoying taking our time doing so. We have spent the last 10 years renting lovely homes in Torbay on the North Shore of Auckland and latterly 2 beautiful homes in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. We have loved these homes as if they were our own and had great relationships with all our landlords over the years. We often leave the homes in better condition than when we moved in and that is a sense of pride that we both live by. We're keen gardeners and happy to potter around pulling weeds or tending to flower and vegetable beds and keeping things watered. Bruce is rather a perfectionist and your lawns and edges will be in good hands! We are both extremely houseproud and are keen animal lovers too. Between us, though in the past now, we have owned 2 Short Haired German Pointers (Gwina and Bodiccea) and Sam, my beautiful German Shepherd. Many cats, too numerous to list - I grew up in a cat-oriented family. Also the usual childhood rabbits, even mice and not so usual large tortoises (in England). I'd love to show some photos of us back then with our pets but all our photos, (taken long before cell phones!) are in a storage facility. Also, we have been renting for a while now so we chose to be pet-free as it can make rental choices limited. We will, however, be thrilled to look after your fur babies and revisit that special place in our hearts that only pets can fill! If possible, we will need room to park up our 8.5 mtr caravan on your property? So that's us and though we are new to the House Sitting circuit, we do have ample experience looking after homes and have excellent references from them all. We look forward to caring for your precious pets, home and gardens as if they were our own. Kind regards, Susie & Bruce Harper
We're ready and willing to assist you! Coming from a farming background, we're…
We're ready and willing to assist you! Coming from a farming background, we're experienced in animal welfare and are very familiar with the love of the land! You can entrust your home, your animals/pets and prize possessions in capable hands - we pride ourselves in our honesty, our integrity, our reliability, and our caring nature. We are retired farmers and extra handy with any minor repairs which can be necessary from time to time. We live on a lifestyle block in sunny Marlborough and are not afraid of additional garden maintenance if required. Lyn, when and if available, is periodically approached to assist at a local Medical Centre on a casual part-time basis. We run small flocks of fattening sheep on our 5 acres which also offers a great assortment of fruits, berries and plentiful vegies … we delight in sharing any excess with friends, neighbours, and locals in the village. Over the past years we’ve owned and loved many pets – Golden Retriever, Golden Cavalier Spaniel, German Shepherds, and our last pet .. wee Kitty – a gorgeous Ginger who followed Allan everywhere and sat at his heels just like a cute wee puppy. Kitty has now passed on. We have now made the decision to travel more frequently and look forward to the opportunity of caring and sharing for other folks’ pets and/or animals, who can remain happy and settled in their own environment. With over 20 years of voluntary work in Lions and other worthy organizations, we would now like to focus our energy in meeting others and being of assistance to those wishing to take a break from their home/farm. We enjoy travelling in our caravan and meeting with other interesting folks. We offer a sincere passion and expertise in caring for your pets, your livestock and your prize possession ... your property!
Hi our names are Maryna and Neil, We are close to retiring and feel it is our t…
Hi our names are Maryna and Neil, We are close to retiring and feel it is our time to discover the rest of the South Island in New Zealand and while doing that, do what we enjoy and that is looking after peoples pets and a little gardening while we at it. We immigrated here 11 years ago and have been living in the Catlins ever since so love to explore . As we do not have animals of our own (not by choice) this will also give us a great opportunity to enjoy other people's pets while we are on breaks. We are reliable and trustworthy and are managing a holiday park in the Catlins. This is a 24/7 entity and being in hospitality means we know what is expected from cleanliness and client communication. Neil is a handyman and extremely keen garderner so finds himself very busy most of the time. We both are pet lovers and with previous housesitting experience in London, South Africa and in the Catlins, we have done a lot of dog walking, cuddling cats and even looked after pigs, horses and chickens. We both love fishing and used to take our doggies with us (back in South Africa) so they could have a good run around, and when given the chance they would steal some of our catch! It would be our privilege to help home owners out by looking after their homes and taking care of their pets ( with lots of love) putting their minds at ease. We love to update owners at any time as to how things are going back home. Please feel free to contact our referees and ask any further questions you may want answered.
Hi there, our names are Raewyn and Bill. We have been housesitting for the last …
Hi there, our names are Raewyn and Bill. We have been housesitting for the last 8 years both here in NZ and Cyprus, Australia, Singapore, Scotland & various places in and around England. We have cared for 5 acres with very large gardens, swimming pools, holiday accomdation on properties that require meet and greet and clean afterwards, cats, dogs, chickens & a duck. Small camping grounds. Have had to lay baited traps on a daily basis for rodents then disposed of same. Having had children we have experienced all manner of pets of our own through their growing up years so fully realise how important it is for owners pets to be treated as though they were our own . Homeowners can expect reliability, security,peace of mind and trustworthy, practical and life skills hard earned. Retired plumber and receptionist with police checks and a load of references and email contacts that homeowners can contact. Thank you for taking time to consider our online profile and we hope to hear from you soon. Warm regards, Raewyn and Bill.
We are a caring, tidy, very responsible couple. Esther (45) has retired after 22…
We are a caring, tidy, very responsible couple. Esther (45) has retired after 22 years service in the Singapore Navy and Jamie (54) is a small business owner who works from a laptop. Esther is also a previous dog owner and simply loves all animals (especially cats) and sweetly cares for them. She also has an exceptional understanding of dogs and dog breeds, their needs and issues. She will put into practice and care for pets as if her own, such as establishing routine, maintaining structure by walking the dogs, being positive virtually all the time, and will love to go running with them (if suitable), perhaps the reason her Shetland sheepdog, lasted until 17. She has looked after many of her friends' dogs while they were on overseas vacation and on our toughest house sit on a farm in 2018, we looked after 12 dogs, including 6 big working dogs, caring for them all for two weeks, without incident - and lots of joy. Esther has also helped puppies socialize and looked after old dogs too. She is comfortable washing them, doing basic grooming, and they certainly get a lot of TLC. We listen carefully and follow instructions. Jamie runs Project Himalaya organising treks in Nepal and India for half the year and our time in New Zealand is a great time to update his website and get his paperwork done, hence, we need an internet connection, otherwise we have no other requirements. Esther is also an enthusiastic gardener, and will love to care for your home and garden. We would be home most of the time. We live in Gisborne (own our property) and use house sitting as a way to experience the culture in New Zealand. We look forward to caring for your precious pets and your home!
Hi there We are a middle aged retired couple who live in beautiful Central Otago…
Hi there We are a middle aged retired couple who live in beautiful Central Otago. We are meticulous about caring for our 3 storey house and would look after yours the same. Although we haven’t been house sitters before, due to work and other commitments, we are now retired and our time is now our own. In the past we have owned and loved many different dogs and cats ranging from 2 labs, old English sheepdog, bison frieze and other breeds. All lived with us until they passed away of old age. I have also looked after my daughter’s gorgeous golden retriever. We have 6 children and 7 grandchildren most of whom live overseas. We haven’t had a pet since our kids all left home as we were both working full time. Also we have been travelling domestically and internationally a lot and think it is unfair to keep putting a family pet into care while we are away. In our working life my husband has been a teacher in ChCh for 30 years and I have worked for the same amount of time at Univ of Canterbury. We were both born in Dunedin so have an affinity to the city. Our interests are exploring new places, walking every day, biking, gardening, photography and house renovations. We would love to come and look after your house and pet while you travel away with a clear mind that your home and pets will be well looked after. Lorraine and Greg
Hello and thank you for reading my profile! Originally from California, and maki…
Hello and thank you for reading my profile! Originally from California, and making New Zealand my home, I am very keen to care for your pets and house sitting situation with the love and attention to details, as if they were my own! I am a middle aged, single man, who loves animals, is extremely clean, tidy and fastidious in my mannerisms, and take sincere care of my surroundings and living situation. I pride myself in being an extremely self aware human being and always try to leave the areas I have resided in or been to in a better condition than when I arrived. My motto is a little bit better every day :) My regular employment is in technology and I work from home, so I will have much time for dog walks, kitty brushing sessions, and cleaning and organizing your home and animals. I have 400 reviews on home sharing platforms and a 4.99 out of 5 rating. Being perfect at what I do is my goal, knowing nothing in life is perfect but I can always try! My main focus is to provide the best care and attention to your home and pets. My level of hosting and house sitting capabilities are a main focus of my daily attention. I'll take care and attention to your unique situation. I am looking for an awesome house sitting opportunity to take care of and love. Thank you for reading my profile, and if I sound and seem right, I look forward to speaking with you! Kind Regards, Stuart
My husband and I own a motorhome and love to travel. We are non smokers. We ar…
My husband and I own a motorhome and love to travel. We are non smokers. We are clean and tidy people and enjoy looking after pets or even farm animals. We would prefer to sleep in our motorhome where possible but this is negotiable. We definitely like to leave the house clean and tidy before leaving. Past experience with family at home was that we did pet sitting in our own home. Also had a variety of pets over the years. Experienced with a variety of animals including the following: cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, fish, birds, beekeeping, dry stock, goats, pigs, hand rearing lambs and more. Tania is qualified in horticulture and bee keeping. Tania also loves to tend to vegetable gardens as required. Ian is an excellent handyman with experience in painting, electrical, plumbing, roofing and general maintenance. Ian is the treasurer on our local NZMCA committee and also volunteers for Coast Guard. Also we have both have experience moving livestock and electric fences. Part of Tania's work is doing home management so is well qualified with cleaning other people's homes. We both love cycling and jetboating.
Sarah and I work in inbound tourism as tour leaders and run a small tourism comp…
Sarah and I work in inbound tourism as tour leaders and run a small tourism company specialising in high-end private travel. With the current border restrictions we are taking the opportunity to explore our wonderful country and better familiarise ourselves with the many fantastic locations and outdoor experiences NZ has to offer. Hence we currently have a great degree of flexibility and mobility as we move around the country. Prior to tourism, I (Mark) worked as a stockbroker and Sarah was a constable in the NZ Police. We own our own home in Christchurch which we have rented out for the coming year while we travel and visit friends and family. Having grown up on a small farm with an impressive assortment of pets and animals I have always been an animal lover and we both thoroughly enjoy the caring for animals. As we are very active in the outdoors we will be thrilled to walk or run your dogs and show your pets love as though they were our own. If you choose us to look after your pets and home you can expect the utmost care, compassion and professionalism as we can guarantee you peace of mind and a promise to uphold any personal requirements you may have.