Housesitting in New Zealand

 

Picture this: You’re waking up in a cosy Wanaka cottage with a snow-capped mountain view, a friendly Labrador wagging its tail beside you, and you haven’t paid a cent for accommodation.

Sounds like a dream?

Welcome to the wonderful world of housesitting in New Zealand.

Regular followers of my content know that my husband Brian and our kids Sonny and Tessa are no strangers to this lifestyle.

Over the past seven years, we’ve clocked up twenty-seven house-sits worldwide—from Europe during our year of family travel to right here in Aotearoa.

And I can say with absolute certainty: New Zealand is the best country in the world for housesitting.

Whether you’re planning to move to New Zealand or just visiting and doing one of the amazing Hobbit tours in New Zealand, housesitting offers something traditional accommodation simply can’t match: the chance to live like a real Kiwi, in real Kiwi homes, with real Kiwi pets.

 

 

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Why Housesitting is a Game-Changer for New Zealand Travel

 

When we first started housesitting during our year of world travel with teenagers, we were on a ridiculously tight budget. Housesitting made the impossible possible.

Now that we’re based in New Zealand, we’ve continued the lifestyle and never looked back.

But here’s the thing that surprises most people: New Zealand has MORE house sitting opportunities than anywhere else we’ve tried.

And the competition? Much lower than in Europe or North America.

The kiwi mentality of “she’ll be right” extends perfectly to housesitting. Kiwis are practical, trusting, and love a win-win situation.

They save money on expensive kennels and pet care; you score free accommodation in some of the most beautiful locations on earth.

 

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The Numbers Don’t Lie

 

That gorgeous beachfront bach in Whanganui we stayed in? Would have cost easily $200+ per night on booking sites. The lakefront Taupō property with kayak access? Easily $300 a night. The Wanaka small-holding with mountain views?

Don’t even get me started.

One housesit often saves you hundreds of dollars—money you can put toward a really nice car rental in NZ for your South Island or North Island adventure, or toward your relocation fund if you’re planning to move to New Zealand permanently.

 

Is Housesitting Really for Everyone? Let’s Be Real

 

Look, I’m not going to pretend housesitting is all sunshine and rainbows.

You’re responsible for someone’s beloved pets and cherished home. There’s real responsibility involved. Some sits require more work than others, and not every experience will be perfect.

BUT.

If you’re willing to step outside the traditional holiday box, if you dream of experiencing life in New Zealand beyond the tourist trail, and if you love animals, housesitting might just be your golden ticket.

 

How to Get Started: The Only Company You Need

 

When people ask which housesitting company we use, my answer is always the same: Trusted House sitters. Full stop.

We’ve tried others, but this is the one we love, trust, and recommend to everyone.

 

Here’s how it works:

 

Step 1: Sign up for free

You can browse available sits, see what’s out there, and get a feel for how the platform works—all without paying a cent. They’ll send you daily updates on new listings that match your preferences.

Step 2: Become a member when you’re ready

The basic membership costs around $150 per year. Yes, PER YEAR. You’ll recoup that cost on your very first night of free accommodation. When you’re ready to commit, use my exclusive discount code to save 15%.

 

Step 3: Create a killer profile

This is CRUCIAL. Your profile is everything. Here’s what worked for us:

• Photos with animals (borrow a friend’s dog if you don’t have your own!)

• A video introduction (this was our secret weapon—more on that below)

• Genuine, personality-filled writing that shows you’re a real human, not a robot

 

 

Step 4: Start local

No references? No problem.

We started with sits in our own region to build reviews. Look for listings marked “low applications”—these are goldmines for beginners. Remote locations or off-peak dates often mean fewer applicants, not lower quality.

 

What Housesitting in New Zealand Actually Looks Like

 

Let me give you a taste of what’s possible:

 

• Five weeks in a hilltop Napier villa, feeding two cats and soaking up Art Deco beauty

• Ten days in a Wellington hilltop home (multiple times—we keep going back!)

• A family New Year on a Warkworth small farm, just outside Auckland

• A winter escape to the South Island with a house that came with a resident chicken and a horse to feed

• A mother-daughter Napier break with Rufus the Schnauzer and million-dollar views

• Lake Taupō luxury with a water-loving Labrador and complimentary kayaks

 

Each of these experiences gave us something no hotel could: genuine connections to places, pets, and communities. We weren’t tourists passing through; we were temporary locals.

 

 

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Your Burning Questions, Answered

 

“What if I don’t like animals?”

No worries! Use the “no pets” filter. Your options will be more limited, but pet-free sits do exist. You’re still providing home security in exchange for free accommodation.

 

“What if I’m not a Kiwi citizen?”

This is where house-sitting gets really exciting for international visitors. As long as you’re legally allowed to enter New Zealand (whether that’s through a visa waiver or a valid tourist visa), you can housesit.

There are no special permits required. If you’re considering a more permanent move, housesitting is a brilliant way to test out different areas before committing to a long-term move.

You might even find yourself exploring options like the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa or the New Zealand Age Waiver Visa after falling in love with a particular region.

 

“What if my visa situation is complicated?”

 

If you’re exploring pathways to live here permanently, housesitting can be a fantastic temporary solution while you sort out your paperwork.

Many people moving from United States to New Zealand use housesitting as a bridge—affordable accommodation while they search for rentals, navigate the job market, or wait for visa approvals.

The same goes for those moving from France to New Zealand or anywhere else in the world.

 

“What about housesitting with a partner or family?”

 

Absolutely! We housesit as a family of four (plus occasionally adult children). Many listings welcome couples and families.

Just be clear about your group size when applying.

 

The Secret Weapon: Make a Video

 

I cannot stress this enough: MAKE A VIDEO.

Ours wasn’t fancy. I stood in front of Brian’s phone and walked around our home (after spending five hours tidying, if I’m honest). I had the kids chat to the camera while cuddling our dog. I showed our garden, our sheep, our chaotic but loving family life.

That five-minute video has landed us more housesits than anything else in our profile. Homeowners want to see who you ARE, not just read a list of your qualities.

A video builds trust instantly.

 

 

Trusted House Sitters vs Other Ways to Experience NZ

Let’s compare:

 

 

And the best part? Housesitting forces you to explore beyond the tourist zones.

You’ll find yourself in neighbourhoods, suburbs, and small towns you’d never discover otherwise. You’ll shop at local supermarkets, walk local dogs in local parks, and chat with local neighbours.

This is how you really learn about life in New Zealand—the good, the challenging, and the absolutely magical.

 

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

 

After 27 sits worldwide, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Don’t overcommit – Start with short sits to see if the lifestyle suits you

2. Communicate clearly – Ask ALL the questions before accepting a sit

3. Read the listing carefully – Pet care requirements, home expectations, Wi-Fi speed if you need to work

4. Leave the home better than you found it – References are everything in this community

5. Be realistic about location – That remote paradise is wonderful, but you will need to hire a car. Have you budgeted for that?

 

If you’re completely new to New Zealand, you might also want to read up on the downside of moving to New Zealand or why people leave New Zealand—housesitting gives you a low-pressure way to experience the country and decide if it’s truly for you before making any major life changes.

 

 

Real Examples: What You Can Expect

 

Here’s a screenshot from my phone showing current New Zealand housesits (taken May 2025):

You’ll see everything from Auckland city apartments to rural South Island homesteads. Some with cats, some with dogs, some with chickens or horses. Some for a weekend, some for months.

The variety is staggering. And because New Zealand has fewer sitters than many countries, your chances of landing a fantastic sit are genuinely high.

 

 

Ready to Give Trusted House Sitters a Try?

 

If you’re nodding along thinking “this sounds perfect for me,” here’s your action plan:

1. Sign up for TrustedHousesitters and save 15% with my exclusive discount

2. Create your free account and start browsing

3. Spend time on your profile—photos, video, personality

4. Apply for sits that match your experience level

5. Start with something local or a “low applications” listing

6. Build those references and watch your options grow

Remember: the membership fee (less with my discount!) pays for itself on night one. Everything after that is pure savings.

 

 

Beyond Housesitting: Making New Zealand Your Home

 

For many people I hear from, housesitting sparks something bigger. They arrive for a six-week housesit and never want to leave. If that sounds like you, there are plenty of resources to help with the next steps:

 

• How to relocate to New Zealand – A complete guide to the process

• New Zealand work visas – Options for skilled workers

• Americans living in New Zealand – Real stories from those who made the leap

• Moving to New Zealand reminder – What to prepare before you go

• Buy a house in New Zealand – When you’re ready to put down roots

• Health requirements for a NZ visa – Essential information for applicants

• What to do if your NZ visa is denied – Don’t give up hope

 

 

Still Not Convinced?

Check out our YouTube video all about housesitting in New Zealand—we filmed it during a Paraparaumu sit just outside Wellington, with a gorgeous cat and million-dollar views.

 

 

Ready to Start Your Housesitting Adventure?

 

The beautiful thing about housesitting is that it removes the biggest barrier to travel: accommodation costs. Suddenly, long-term travel becomes possible.

Multiple-destination trips become affordable. Testing out a potential new home becomes stress-free.

New Zealand is waiting for you—with open arms, friendly pets, and homes that will make you never want to leave.

Sign up for TrustedHousesitters and get my exclusive 15% discount at checkout. It doesn’t get better than this.

And if you land an amazing housesit? Drop me a comment and let me know. I love hearing about your adventures almost as much as living my own.

Safe travels, lovely humans. May your future be filled with cat cuddles, dog walks, and homes that feel like your own—even when you’re thousands of miles from where you started.

xx

 

Do You LOVE New Zealand? Sign up below, and I will send you my FREE Moving to and Living in New Zealand Guide.

A 5 Part Video Series!