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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!
Greetings! My name is Kim, I'm 57 years (young) and have been in New Zealand si…
Greetings! My name is Kim, I'm 57 years (young) and have been in New Zealand since moving here from the UK when I was 30. I am currently single, live a pretty quiet life and like to follow a healthy lifestyle. I have lived, worked and travelled in many countries around the world, and have experienced life in the country, the city and on board ships. I would therefore say I have a wide variety of life experience. LIFESTYLE / WORK I am a non-smoker and non-drinker and lead a quiet lifestyle. I am self-employed and work as a health coach from my home office (when I am not travelling and housesitting), working remotely with clients all over the world via internet. This means I am home quite a lot and am able to look after your house and animals very well. I live a simple lifestyle and only occasionally host friends at home. I go out occasionally socially and otherwise enjoy watching movies and dvds in the evening. I practice meditation and Qigong in order to stay healthy and on top of things. ANIMAL / PLANT / HOUSEMINDING EXPERIENCE I am very tidy and like to keep a home spick and span. Whether I am renting, housesitting or own a home, while I am living there I respect the privilege of living in a beautiful home. I have high standards and like to keep a home clean and tidy. I enjoy keeping the garden tidy, weeding and pruning trees and plants. I can honestly say I will look after your home as if it were my own. I have a lot of experience looking after dogs and cats. Growing up we had 3 dogs (shelties) which I adored, and later for 16 years had 3 of my own precious cats whom I loved to bits. I have owned 2 of my own homes in the UK and New Zealand, and have been renting for the past 10 years. Several of my friends have been housesitting for a few years and I have decided I would like to housesit for a while in order to save some money, as it has been tough the last few years running my own health business. Over the past 10 years I have often had housesitters myself to look after my cats, so I know what it is like from an owners perspective and what an owner looks for and expects from a housesitter. For myself I needed to feel totally at ease to leave my house and animals in the care of someone else, to trust they would care for my cats, to trust they would look after the house and garden, keep things tidy, respect the contents etc. So I know exactly what you are looking for and I pride myself on being an authentic person. I can assure you I will care for your home and pets as if they were my own so that you can enjoy your time away with peace of mind. LOCATION I am very well travelled around New Zealand, my favourite spots being Queenstown and the South Island.
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:)
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. Working from home at the moment until further notice. Chris usually does electrical work but is taking time off work at the moment. 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.
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.
Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am 55 years old, a non-smoker and have been 'house s…
Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am 55 years old, a non-smoker and have been 'house sitting' for the last four years (can provide references). Currently I'm in Wellington, looking after a friend's paralysed whippet and assisting in her recovery. I'm now looking to finish writing a book and as different environments help with the writing process, I'm looking to stay in the Queenstown/Arrowtown area. Both inner city and/or rural locations would suit. I previously lived in Italy (16 years), working in the luxury fashion industry, eventually returning home as I missed our proximity to the great outdoors. Not much of that in central Milan. I am quiet, responsible, clean and tidy (friends call me pedantic) and have learnt that everyone is unique in the way they run their home - and I am very respectful of that. Whether staying in multi-million dollar houses or tiny bachs, I am always considerate and leave close to zero footprint as it's what I would expect from anyone staying in my house. Practical and hands on, there's not much that fazes me, and although not an avid gardener, watering, mowing and a bit of weeding is doable. I have a great affinity for all animals, particularly dogs and cows. I collect for the SPCA and when my two dogs passed several years ago I did volunteer dog walking for them. I am very caring - people joke that I prefer animals to humans - so if you have any pets I guarantee they'll receive unlimited attention and affection. As an avid walker, all pets requiring exercise will receive their daily dose, be it long or short, and if they're on any medication I am confident administering whatever it is they need. Lastly, as I'll be working from home I can Skype or FaceTime anytime you want. As a sitter, I'll provide you with the security of knowing your home and pet/s will be safe, secure and 100% respected. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any further queries or I can fly down to meet you in person. Jennifer
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.
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!
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.
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.
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, 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 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 my name is Fay and I am a mature female who enjoys travelling New Zealand and…
Hi my name is Fay and I am a mature female who enjoys travelling New Zealand and overseas when time permits. I am finishing working for a Local Government entity in Central Otago 30 June 2020 so looking forward to house sitting around NZ. I have worked in finance, administration and business management for most of my working career and my honesty and integrity in these situations has never been questioned. To balance my work as a "bean counter" I enjoy spending time on my hobbies which include sewing, gardening, walking, skiing and painting with acrylics. I also love spending time with grand children and friends. I enjoy my own company so house sits in country areas would not be a problem. I spent my teenage and early adult life living on farms of various sizes so am comfortable around dogs, cats, horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, but not so keen on mice or rats !! I find gardening and lawn mowing a wonderful way to unwind. In a house sitting situation I would care for a home as if it were my own and carry out any tasks requested with the assignment and would contact owners if there was an extraordinary event that they needed to know about. I'm looking forward to exploring parts of NZ in more depth than I've seen on drive around holidays and hopefully I'll be trusted to care for your home, pets and garden sometime.
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.
Hi there, a trusty worth honest human, looking to leave a lighter tread on the p…
Hi there, a trusty worth honest human, looking to leave a lighter tread on the planet. I work from home and supposed to be travelling around the world teaching yoga right now but covid has changed a lot. To create my best work I like to be able live by myself, get out in nature and explore different areas. I housesat consistently for 2 years around 2014-2016 and am looking forward to doing this again since i am home in New Zealand. I love taking care of your animals, that's all the company I need. I have sat for & have experience with many different animals. Dogs = labradoodle, mini schnauzer, bernese mountain dog, border collie, boston terrier, wolf hound and jack russell, Cats = tabby kitten, burmese, persians, chartruese and more. Also have plenty experience with chickens, some house birds, rabbits and guinea pigs. I haven't had the experience of looking after horses or donkeys yet but I would love to and would love the opportunity. I grew up on a small farm, so all though its been a very long time, I have had some experience with stock and happy to learn if needed. I used to own a great dane, ridgeback cross until I left for overseas travel, so I am very comfortable with large breeds, he now lives with my best friend and her 2 boys where is well exercised, loved and I can see him anytime i'm in my hometown. I have always lived my life with the intention of leaving a profit, if I have the chance to housesit for you I will treat your home with love and respect and will leave it cleaner than I found it. Expect clear communication and reliability.