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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.
Kia ora! With over 10 years of home and pet care experience, I come to you all …
Kia ora! With over 10 years of home and pet care experience, I come to you all the way from Portland, OR, USA! I began my Aotearoa adventure in January 2019 as a Graduate student at University of Canterbury. As a former home and pet owner myself, I understand how important it is to be able to trust the care of your home and fur-babies to someone. I don't take that for granted. My hope is to build rapport with both you and your animals so that your time away from home is as restful and enjoyable as possible -- for everyone! I am confident that I will be able to provide the kind of care and service that you will be more than satisfied with. I have previously worked with numerous clients through other house sitting websites both in the US and Aotearoa. Pets have included dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, rats, fish, rabbits, calves, and even pigs! I am an experienced equestrian and currently volunteer with Riding with the Disabled here in Christchurch. Have a garden? I am an experienced gardener happy to help make sure your plants and produce continue to thrive. Have special needs? If you are able to provide the training, I'm happy to provide care within my skill sets. I have experience with both medication administration and insulin injections. Missing your furry friend? I will be sending you plenty of adorable photos and action shots! Let's meet up and see if it's a match!
We are a couple of travel inspired Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs th…
We are a couple of travel inspired Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs that have fallen in love with New Zealand. Between Taylor and I, we've travelled to New Zealand 5 times and consider it a little version of Canada. My last trip to New Zealand was for 5 months and spent my time travelling both Islands from top to bottom seeing as much as I could. Taylor has been multiple times but for shorter lengths. We are looking to return as a couple and experience the country together, while being able to work on our respective businesses online. During my time in New Zealand I was part of the WWOOF program and stayed in many places for long periods of time where I was entrusted with many duties and responsibilities that included taking care of dogs, cats, other various family pets and other animals such as horses, goats and other livestock. More importantly I was entrusted with taking care of family homes and lived with many families that did indeed feel like that when I left. Taylor and I have both had dogs in our families throughout our lives and have future aspirations of having our own Dog when our travel bug has diminished and we're ready to settle down and limit our travelling to North America. We've treated anywhere we have stayed on our travels, whether it be a hotel, hostel, air bnb, a family friends home or a wwoof / house sit experience with nothing but respect. Practicing the mentality of always leaving somewhere cleaner than you found it. We're an active couple with a very health conscious way of living; we eat clean, are very eco-friendly and treat others' as we would like to be treated. At home in Canada we currently rent our home and our very aware of water usage, hydro bills and minimizing electricity usage however we can. Making new connections and having great experiences with like-minded people is what fuels us to get out of bed every day. We really look forward to possibly watching your house and furry friends while you're away!
I'm a freelance writer/researcher with over eleven years of housesitting experie…
I'm a freelance writer/researcher with over eleven years of housesitting experience. I work from home so your pets will enjoy quality time, companionship, conversation (yes I talk freely and openly with my animal friends), and plenty of affection. I have a gentle, sensitive and playful nature so bond easily with shy or timid darlings, as well as being able to bring out the best in those more gregarious. As the homeowner, you will also have peace of mind knowing I'm happily ensconced at your property. Trustworthy, tidy, responsible and thoughtful with a good sense of humour, I'm happiest in a harmonious and ordered abode. While I can readily housesit in a city, I have a deep affinity with nature and the night sky, and find myself drawn to rural locations. (Some of my previous housesits have been rather remote.) A healthy lifestyle is important to me (sober, non-smoker), and as I love the Earth with all my heart, my footprint on the planet is light. I respect resources, support sustainability, and am energy efficient. I also reduce waste, reuse and upcycle whenever possible. I have successfully tended my own garden in the past, and am accustomed to water conservation from living on islands and lifestyle blocks where I relied upon rain water. I'm a keen walker, explorer, and photographer with a fondness of gardens, forests, and the countryside. Sourcing local seasonal produce provides much joy, as does meeting growers, visiting producers and farmers - particularly those who use organic systems. I also integrate my qualifications as a herbalist, naturopath, nutritionist, homeopath, aromatherapist and remedial masseuse into my life and those I take care of - including pets if they need help. Housesitting is an ideal occupation for a quiet, caring and creative person like me, who loves the company of animals, and thrives at home in a changing and inspiring environment. I welcome the opportunity to look after your beloved home, pets, garden and house plants, keeping them safe, well maintained and cared for.
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:)
I am a trust lawyer by trade having lived in Japan, the Cook Islands and the Bri…
I am a trust lawyer by trade having lived in Japan, the Cook Islands and the British Virgin Islands for most of the last 20 years but have returned to NZ (hopefully) permanently. For the last year I have run a trust company in Auckland but have left it to become “my own boss” and am setting up a trust consultancy business. This can be done almost exclusively online and I wish to reconnect with NZ whilst doing so and revisit the country. Wherein I was told about housesitting and thought it would be an ideal way to do so especially as I have such flexibility at the moment. Growing up in Morrinsville there were always animals around. Plus we guinea pigs, goats and Siamese cats (very sensitive eaters). My last girlfriend in the BVI had a lovely dog Georgie who I looked after many times and would regularly walk. She was a rescue dog and sadly had been abused so we had to be quite careful with her. I am reliable and very punctual (I blame my time in Japan). If I say something I will do it. I will look after your home and pets as if they were my own. I am truly looking forward to this adventure and thank you for being a part of it with me.
I’ve been living overseas for the last ten years and have come back to retire …
I’ve been living overseas for the last ten years and have come back to retire here for the present. I am considering where I’d like to live and house sitting and taking care of other peoples animal friends, is appealing, and will to help me decide where to live. I’ve taken care of friends animals from time to time over the years. I enjoy the company of my own three rescue dog who currently are still overseas with sitters until the next chapter becomes clear. I will take care of your home and animal friends as if they are my own... I understand how important it is to feel confident in who ever I trust my home and animal friends with when I can’t be there. I appreciate having close communication with my sitters and would ensure you have the right amount of communication to meet your needs. Right now I have two angels looking after my three babies. I like the idea of paying it forward :-) While I don't go out to work I will be doing some work on the commuter at your place so will need access to the internet. There is no deadline for my work, however I will work on it for a few hours a week while sitting for you.
We are David and Adrienne Smith and our ages are 68 and 61. We are a friendly, q…
We are David and Adrienne Smith and our ages are 68 and 61. We are a friendly, quiet couple, non-smokers, who have rented out our home in Auckland to discover the rest of this beautiful country, whilst caring for your home and pets. About us: David spent much of his early years on a farm in Matamata, before moving with his family to Auckland. He has worked for Air New Zealand, and its predecessor NAC, for many years as an airline pilot, both short and long haul and is now retired. David is involved in IT support for a charity group, which can be carried out anywhere there is internet connection. We do not need much bandwidth, its mostly offline work. Adrienne, also retired, has worked as a nurse and caregiver. She is a keen gardener and loves walking, crafts and reading. We are keen to move into the next phase of life, exploring other parts of this beautiful country, and beyond. Our gorgeous bi-colour ragdoll cat is no longer with us, leaving us free to care for your home and pets. We love pets and have significant experience caring for cats, dogs of various sizes and ages, and chooks. Awarded as a top 10 housesitter for 2019. As we have no work or family constraints, we can offer dedicated service to caring for your home and pet as we would our own.
We are a retired couple who enjoy travelling and experiencing new areas. We ha…
We are a retired couple who enjoy travelling and experiencing new areas. We have done a little housesitting for friends who have a cat that we love to look after. Brian brings very practical skills as both a retired farmer and former Tasman District Councillor. I like to think I am practical and up-for-anything with retired schoolteacher experience. Both of us love animals and have owned many pets in the past. We both grew up with family pets as well as farm animals; each requiring different care. I have had dogs, cats and birds along with the backyard chooks in the past both as a child growing up and also as my own children were growing up. They have always been much loved family members. Brian grew up in a farming family with sheep, goats, cows and horses featuring strongly in his background. He was a founding member of the Blenheim Polo Club. He has also breed spaniels in the past. Both of us enjoy the outdoors especially hiking, kayaking and swimming. I love to take wildlife and landscape photos wherever our travels have taken us. We are responsible people who will care for and respect both your home and your pets as if they were our own. We have the flexibility that comes with being retired and the enthusiasm to ensure your pets are well loved and cared for.
Hi, my name is Jenny. I'm an online English teacher, living in Christchurch at…
Hi, my name is Jenny. I'm an online English teacher, living in Christchurch at the moment but as I work from home I am flexible and free to travel for house sits. This also means that I can be home with your pets during the day and take full-time care of them. I grew up in a small country village in Ireland with many animals; from sheep, to a lot of dogs and cats (too many to count), chickens and hens also.I have been housesitting for quite some time in New Zealand, and really enjoy living in different places with pets and animals for company and to look after. I'm mature, reliable, caring and energetic. I love the outdoors, lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy being active in my spare time. I love to spend time walking, tramping, at the beach, surfing, snowboarding and dancing. I now am luckily enough to be able to do what I love from any location as I teach online, so that gives me the freedom to look after pets, teach and enjoy the outdoors also. Animals I have taken care of in the past are: dogs, big and small, cats, birds, sheep, lambs, cattle, horses and pigs. For much time in Ireland, I lived on some farm land, taking care of the cattle and animals; feeding, watering and general care of the land. As a housesitter, I'm happy to take care of multiple animals and pets; feeding, walking, loving and entertaining them. I am also happy to maintain gardens and property, as well as housework of course, Thank you for taking the time to view my profile. I would be really happy to chat further. Please take a look at feedback I've received so far too. P.s. I am currently house sitting in Auckland until January 11th but then will be returning to Christchurch. Jenny :)
Hello and Kia Ora ! My partner Kevin and I are new to house sitting, but experi…
Hello and Kia Ora ! My partner Kevin and I are new to house sitting, but experienced in caring for pets and for our home, wherever our home is located! We are an active adventurous couple that have a great love of animals and have looked after or owned a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters. Sabrina's best friend and guardian when she grew up was her English Cocker Spaniel. We love animals so much that we stop frequently on the streets to pet them. We are looking forward to take care of your furry loved one(s) :) We sold everything we had in Victoria, Canada, to move to New Zealand. After 6 months of travelling in both countries, we are now living in Christchurch where Kevin works as a mechanical engineer for buildings. By choosing us, you can expect that your pets will receive lots of love and impeccable care. We are fit and very happy to take them on long walks and outdoor adventures (if applicable). We also enjoy gardening and working on the land. Sabrina likes keeping a clean environment and is also experienced in professional housekeeping in luxury resorts, so you can expect a welcoming tidy house when you come back. We have stayed at many Airbnb's along our travels since leaving Canada and we can share these many references with you when we meet you in person - unfortunately we are unable to post them on our profile. Our aim is to allow you to take your well earned breaks in the knowledge that everything at home is in good hands so you can relax and enjoy. We will keep you updated while you're away if needed. You can have peace of mind knowing that your home and pets will be happy and well cared for :)
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.
Hello, we are Elizabeth and Ana, a very cheerful couple, we like outdoor sports,…
Hello, we are Elizabeth and Ana, a very cheerful couple, we like outdoor sports, hiking, rollerblading, MTB, kayak, etc. In general we like all kinds of sports. Ana is a computer engineer and works part time for a Canadian company, she is a programmer and works from home. Elizabeth is an industrial engineer and usually works part time. We are excellent at taking care of pets, especially with dogs and cats. With regard to the experience in caring for a New Zealand house, we have looked after houses of several people who have animals and we have never had any problems, and they always thank us for leaving the house very clean. In addition, we have always looked for homes with pets, because they provide us with a lot of love and an enriching energy. You can expect everything to be well cared for, clean and your pets will be in good hands.
Hi there, Our names are Melanie and Kyle and we are 28 and 38. I've (Melanie)…
Hi there, Our names are Melanie and Kyle and we are 28 and 38. I've (Melanie) recently moved to Dunedin from Australia to take up a job as a researcher at the University of Otago. Kyle is a wildlife ecologist and has recently moved to Dunedin from the US. My hours are typically 9-5, but relatively flexible, while Kyle often works from home. We've been together for over four years and both love travelling, being outdoors and learning new skills. We'd love to use housesitting as a way of getting to know new places and people around New Zealand. We're both from overseas, so we'd love to spend as much time travelling around as possible. Living in different areas, even for a short time, is a wonderful way to experience a new place. We regularly house sit for friends with a lovely dog, and have previously house sat for several families with both cats and dogs. I've grown up taking care of cats, while Kyle has always looked after dogs, so we're extremely comfortable taking care of either. We are happy to care for multiple pets, large or small, and pets with special needs. I'm also a keen gardener and would be more than happy to look after your plants as well. If you choose us to house sit for you, we'll do whatever's needed to accommodate your needs and those of your pet. We are mature and responsible and take exceptional care of the homes we stay in. Our flexible work situation means we can be available to care for pets during the day. In short, you can expect us to be tidy, respectful and considerate guests in your home and to treat your pet like a member of our family.
Hi there, My name is Nancy and I am a clean living and retired lady. I have 2 …
Hi there, My name is Nancy and I am a clean living and retired lady. I have 2 daughters who are both married with children (3 Grandchildren) and I have had my own businesses in Takapuna, Auckland, selling antiques and old jewellery. I retired from this in 2009. I also owned and managed a Motor Inn in Brisbane, Australia. I have owned and managed my own houses most of my life and I have always had a cat (unfortunately had to have my most recent pussy cat put down last year at a ripe old age of 15years. His name was William and he was an Ocicat). I am extremely responsible, love animals and any homeowner could expect their pets to be loved and cherished just as if they were my own and your property well maintained, kept secure and clean and tidy. I keep very fit and active and enjoy walking, so if you have any dogs that require this I will be very happy to take them out with me. Thank you for taking the time to consider my online profile and I hope to meet with you and your fur babies soon. Warmest, Nancy.
We are a reliable, mature & tidy couple with two years' house-sitting experience…
We are a reliable, mature & tidy couple with two years' house-sitting experience and eleven years' experience working with pets. We've recently returned from two years' travelling and house-sitting all around the world, where we cared for pets of all kinds (cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, chickens, birds & even alpacas) and homes of all shapes and sizes (from tiny cottages through to luxury villas). Nikki worked with pets for 11 years (in nutrition, management and rescue adoptions) but now works as a product manager for Farmlands. Chris does electrical work and is also a keen gardener and handyman, so your home is always in capable hands. We're both lifelong pet-lovers and experienced in caring for pets of all ages, all breeds and all sizes (including a 75kg Newfoundland & a 95kg St Bernard!). We're happy to administer any medications your pets might need and to work with any special dietary requirements. We are both enthusiastic runners (and walkers) and happy to care for even the highest-energy dogs. We also have some experience with behavioural training and can follow any special training routines you might have in place. We have a number of references available from previous sites and we're happy to share the link with any interested owners. Both of us are non-smokers and we have our own car, which has been great for taking dogs to local parks like the Groynes and Halswell quarry. Police checks are available for both us on request which are from Feb 2020. Please feel free to contact us if you need peace of mind whilst you are away.
Hi I am John, I am 61 years old, retired and living in Keri keri Bay of Islands…
Hi I am John, I am 61 years old, retired and living in Keri keri Bay of Islands. I was brought up in Masterton and have always had a love for animals. As a child I had Gold Fish and built a Bird Aviary and bred Budgies, Canaries and Quail. Over the school holidays if we weren't away I would feed my friend's and family pets if they were on holiday. I have had cats most of my life and when I moved to Keri keri owned several lifestyle blocks and had beef dry stock, a pet Goat and a dog and a I also looked after neighbour's properties when they were away, so chooks, sheep are lovey to look after also. I have had a dog for most of my time up here in the north. I have spent the last 5 years looking after properties in Opua which were on Book a Bach. I had nothing but good feed back about how clean the properties were from the guests. During my working life I was in sales and I am a good people person and I treated my job as it is was my own business and 90 percent of my sales were repeat business or referals. That is what I aim to achieve with this house sitting venture. Your pets will get to know me as you will and it will make your holiday more enjoyable knowing that they are in good care with a familiar face. I love overseas travel but don't spend enough time travelling around our beautiful country. This will give me the best of both worlds . I look forward to being able to look after your pets and property for you.