The House Sitting Couple

Our Story

Originaly from the UK, we emigrated to New Zealand in 2011. We became permanents residents shortly after and have since, become New Zealnd Citizens.

We started our new life living and working in Auckland. It has it's critics but we really enjoyed our time there. If nothing else it was a great base for exploring the North Island. However after living there for almost 6 years we felt in need of a change and really wanted to spend more time exploring the South Island - our appetites wetted by two brief campervan trips. We also had the idea, that maybe we could live somewhere on the South Island. But where?

Late in 2016 we house sat for some friends on their lifestyle block. We really enjoyed it and loved the idea of owning something similar one day - but were not sure if we could cope with being so rurual. At that point we had a lightbulb moment - why don't we house sit around the South Island? That way we get to explore in much more detail, to really get a feel for living in a place and will no doubt stay in lots of different types of property along the way. We could kill two birds with one stone - decide where to live and in what kind of property. So in May 2017 we quit our jobs and headed for the South Island and started house-sitting full time. First stop Diamond Harbour.

When we started we thought it would be great if we managed to find sits to cover 50% of the time - as it happens we have been virtually fully booked since May - in fact we've had to turn down many sits. On the few times we've not managed to get a sit in a particular area, we have Helpx'd instead - exchanging our time for food and board. In most cases this has mean gardening or cleaning in BnBs. Amazingly we are now booked through to May 2018, which will have meant we have been sitting for a year!

When we started our shortlist of potential places to settle had just one entry - Nelson. That has now grown to Nelson, Motueka, Diamond Harbour & Queenstown.

Along the way we have looked after some awesome pets and met some great people, some of whom have become good friends.

A Little More About Us

Rich is original from Brighton, and is a freelance web developer who loves to problem solve and create; so much so that he even does it in his spare time and is currently volunteering for an NPO (Not for Profit Organisation) called TakeMyHands. When he is not coding he can be found in the water, on the water, on a trail or climbing.

Amanda is an ex NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse / Health & Safety professional, who loves to craft, bake, garden and make cleaning products and more - all from scratch. She can sometimes be convinced joining Rich in his non-coding activities is a good idea.

We enjoy a good tramp and love nothing more than to get out and explore. We walk most days and are always on the look out for good walks, food and coffee.

Our Sits

To date we have completed 12 house sits and 3 helpx stays.

Kaikoura Jan 2018

(1 Week) (HelpX)

A busy Bed & Breakfast on the Kaikoura Peninsula, there was a lot for us to do. Our main task was gardening. The Bed & Breakfast had large gardens that needed some tidying and pruning. There was enough to keep us both busy for 4 hours day. Amanda also helped with folding and sorting laundry of which there was again, quite a lot. Liz was a great host, knowledgable about the area and a great cook.

Rich & Amanda where fantastic helpers. They can think for themselves and can see what needs to be done without having to asked. Every job they do is completed to a very high standard. I would highly recommend them for any helpx or house sitting position. Liz Beazley

Otago Peninsula

Dec 2017 /Jan 2018 (5 weeks)

We really enjoyed the few days we spent on the Otago Peninsula during a campervan trip back in 2013 and so were very happy when we were accepted for this sit. Ralph the cat was quite a character and Ginger the cat was easy to look after. The house had amazing views over to Saint Kilda & Saint Clair, from which were witnessed some magical sunsets. It was the perfect base for exploring the peninsula and Dunedin itself.

Without hesitation we would recommend Rich and Amanda as house sitters. They came and looked after our fur babies for a month. As we were novices to this concept, we relied on them greatly to advise what was the best way to sort out the arrangements. They were incredibly helpful and their communications and suggestions were considered and well thought out. They made sure to arrive well before we left so we could walk around the house and go over the housekeeping and pet sitting necessities. They also ensured a catch up/debrief on our return was possible - which we really appreciate (along with the home baked biscuits!!!) The house was left immaculate and we came home to well cared for and healthy pets. Thank you so much Rich and Amanda - you rock!! Tyron Wall

Queenstown

Dec 2017 (2 Weeks) (HelpX)

We really enjoyed our short time here. It provided us with a great base to explore Queenstown and around. Our work was varied and never overly demanding, we also felt like we made Kim's life easier and helped her get ready for her travels.

I would highly recommend Rich and Amanda. They helped us with gardening, painting, cleaning and more. They take a lot of pride in doing jobs well and it shows! They don't need a lot of instruction and are happy to just work their way through a list of things to do. Although they didn't cook meals for us, Amanda is a very good cook and she also likes to bake. They both were very helpful to us at a busy time and I can't tell you how much I valued their work. Kim Lazor

Twizel

Dec 2017 (1 Week) (HelpX)

This was our first HelpX - helping to clean and turn down rooms in addition to some general maintenance and lawn mowing - in exhcnage for a room. The tasks were easy and our hosts flexible about allowing us to accumulate hours so we could explore. We were only here for 10 days but managed to get in a lot of walking around Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. Unforutanely we never got a truly clear night that coincided with our schedule, so we'll have to return to visit the Observatory.

Amanda and Rich were a pleasure to have stay with us. They were good workers and willing in any task you gave them and were fussy and took pride in there work which was great in our business.I am sure they will do well in the future and wish them all the best. We missed them when they left!! Peter Race

Alexandra Oct/Nov 2017 (5 Weeks)

Alexandra was not what we were expecting. There was a lot of walking and cyling in the area and of course and goos supply of the famous Central Otago Pinot Noir. Our hosts were very generous and good company. We loved looking after their chickens, easy car sheep and Moko the cat who brought us a lot of gifts! The landscape is unique and beautiful especially when the mountains are capped in snow. We also loved how a lot of the walks smelty of wild Thyme. We also had good fun moving the irrigation system and netting the cherries - our reward being a large punnet to take with us.

Richard and Amanda looked after our property and our animals while we were in the North Island for two weeks. They both came to us a few days before we left and got to know us and our old fashioned ways of doing things. We were thrilled with the care they took of our property and our animals. Moko the cat treated them as though she had known them all her cat life. Richard and Amanda at times had to deal with a temperamental irrigation system and they coped with this problem with thought and problem solving skills. As with all successful enterprises, good communication is the key and this was proved once again in this case. I would recommend Richard and Amanda as house sitters, they are conscientious, careful, responsible, and exceptional with keeping house clean and tidy I would not hesitate to have Richard and Amanda back as house sitters. Pauline McAlpine

Timaru Oct 2017 (1 Week)

One of our shortest sits, but also one our of our busiest - on paper at least. With a 2 cats, 3 dogs, 8 chickens, 3 goats, a horse and a herd of cows to look after. We need not have been worried though, we moved the cows from one field to another and after that they looked after themselves. Likewise the goats and horse. The cats and dogs took a little more care, but nothing strenous! We also loved getting 8 fresh eggs everyday!

We were privileged to have Rich & Amanda care for our precious 3 dogs & 2 cats for a week recently. There were also chickens, goats, a horse and cattle to check. 30 cattle needed to be moved through a gate to a new paddock. This was done with confidence. This delightful couple are very dedicated and We arrived home to find VERY happy dogs and cats and the house extremely clean. Rich & Amanda were happy to water plants and were dedicated in writing everything down so nothing would be overlooked. We can only give our very highest recommendation for Rich & Amanda to future people requiring a house sitter. House sitters don't come any better than this couple. Jo Robinson

Motueka Sep & Sep/Oct 2017 (7 Weeks)

The first sit we booked way back in January 2017 was also our longest to date. And quite fancy. A boutique luxry Bed & Breakast where we stayed in a luxury cottage with AMAZING views of the Motueka Valley. Molly the dog was indeed a little princess, but not too much of a diva :0). After spending 7 weeks here, a short drive from the Abel Tasman and with three National Parks nearby Moteuka was the second place to make the shortlist. We love it here.

We feel that the best endorsement someone can offer is to say that we would not hesitate to have Rich & Amanda house sit for us again! They are honest, thoughtful, and look after things as though they were their own. They stayed in our Cottage and looked after our small dog, mowed the lawns, and kept our place running along without any problems for the six weeks we were away overseas. And when required, they communicated quickly and were always very polite. We feel that whatever house sit they choose to take on, they will do it with enthusiasm and care. Scott & John

Nelson Sep 2017 (2 Weeks)

Woo-hoo! A sit in Nelson, the first place we added to our shortlist. Just a short drive/cycle from town we enjoyed out time here. The two big hunting dogs were a marked change from dogs we had sat to date, but very well behaved. We saw some great sunsets here and enjoyed walking the dogs up the hill everyday for views over the Tasman Sea.

Rich and Amanda were excellent house and pet sitters for 2 weeks while we were overseas. The house was clean and tidy on our return and animals well cared for. We were impressed with their easy-going, can do attitude and would highly recommend them for any future house sitting opportunities. Robyn McQueen

Church Bay Aug/Sep 2017 (2 Weeks)

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Rich and Amanda looked after our house and dog in Diamond Harbour for 3 weeks. We returned home to a very clean home and a happy dog! Would not hesitate to recommend Rich and Amanda to anyone. They are a very nice couple and slotted into life here very quickly Robert Beach

Little River Jun/Jul 2017 (5 Weeks)

This site was on the other side of the pensinula and what a contrast. It was the middle of winter and we never got the hang of the fire. Thankfully the house had a couple of good heat pumps. Quite remote and set back into the hills at the end of a long gravel track, it was very peaceful and while on the one hand we enjoyed the experiance of the isolation - we also learnt that this kind of location. We big plus was the views of the tops from the property and the spring fed water. It tasted so fresh!

We were so pleased to have found Amanda and Rich to look after our lifestyle block for 5 weeks. They came to meet us prior to us leaving and gave us a peace of mind with the time spent talking about how to look after the animals and our property. They were wonderful with our dog Peppy and we came back to a well maintained home. Amanda even baked a cake for us to enjoy after our long travel home. We would recommend Amanda and Rich to anyone looking for a house sitter and not have to worry about their pets or their home so you can enjoy your holiday. Amy and Bernie Amy Shapiro

Diamond Harbour May/Jun 2017 (5 Weeks)

Out first sit of the trip was in a place we had never heard, but soon came to love. It was quickly added to the shortlist. Stu & Bean were a joy to look after, very well behaved and the only dogs we have felt comfortable enough to allow of the lead. The village has a great community and is surrounded by beautiful walking tracks. Our hosts made us feel welcome from the very first day - inviting us to a birthday party and introducing us to the locals.

We chose Rich and Amanda from a number of respondants to our house sit ad. Prior to the sit they were very communicative and always prompt with replies. We have 2 dogs (with various foibles) and 3 chickens. Rich and Amanda arrived the day before we were due to leave so we could introduce them properly to the dogs and their routine. We gave them 5 pages of info (I'm a little neurotic about the dogs!), which they dutifully read through and asked questions. We thoroughly enjoyed their company for the evening and I felt very comfortable leaving our house and animals in their company. Rich and Amanda are both conscientious and respectful of others' houses (the house was beautifully clean when we got back). They enjoy the outdoors which was great for our dogs, and as I was worried about the dogs they made sure they kept in contact, sending us short reports and some pics of what they had been doing with them, which really put my mind at ease. When we returned we could tell that the dogs had had a great time and they definitely missed them for the first few days we were home. We would have no hesitation in recommending Rich and Amanda for a house sit, I'm just hoping they're still around when we take our next long trip. Gill & Mark Waterhouse

Tauranga Dec 2016 (2 Weeks)

Back again to our favourite lifestyle block, this time over Christmas. A great place to spend the holidays with blue dome days a regular occurence meaning we got great views over to the Mount. We had much less to do with the cows this time around. The main focus, cats aside, was ensuring that the vege gardens surived the summer.The chickens were now at point of lay so even got a few eggs each day.

Rich and Amanda have house-sat for us before and it was a great feeling to have someone sit who was familiar with us, our house and our animals. As this sit was for 13 days I provided extensive (5 pages!) of instructions. I wondered if they thought I was going a bit overboard but I was delighted to discover they read them before arriving and asked questions as needed. As well as our precious cats, Rich and Amanda had point-of-lay chickens to manage (letting them out and putting them away) - the chickens still needed a bit of training so this was no simple matter. It was also vitally important the water troughs were regularly checked and the small capacity water tanks were managed so that the steers would not be left short of water. My garden also needed some management with some seedlings to plant out in my absence, watering, of course, harvesting, produce frozen, and old crops to come out. Once again we were delighted with how easy Amanda and Rich made it for us. They are both intelligent people who are able to use their common sense when required. I cannot recommend them highly enough and if you are fortunate enough to spend time with them, you will also find them a pleasure to have in your home. Obviously, I recommend them to any future house-sit position. Jennifer Bethell

Tauranga Octc 2016 (2 Weeks)

Our first ever house-sit was for friends. We looked after their lifestyle block, thankfully just after the last sheep had lambed. We did need to esnure that the 2 resident cows did not munch through their entire paddock in one day by moving an electric fence each day. Our other main duty was the two much loved cats - who by their owners own admission are a little precious. We were blessed with good weather and so often enjoyed the views from the deck. All in all a great introduction into house-sitting.

We invited Rich and Amanda to house-sit for us, having previously had them stay in this capacity. Prior to the house-sit Rich and Amanda kept in communication with us to ensure they understood what was expected of them and asked questions if they were unsure. This time around we required less of them, with only the cats to look after and an electric fence to move however we were able to leave our home with the confidence that they would look after our beloved pets and that the steers would be getting new feed every day. It made such a difference to our holiday! Once again we were delighted with how easy Amanda and Rich made it for us. They are both intelligent people who are able to use their common sense. They are extremely respectively of our home and animals and we are very pleased they are able to continue to house-sit for us. Finally, having got to know them personally, if you are fortunate enough to spend time with them, you will also find them to be insightful and interesting and a pleasure to have in your home. I cannot rate them highly enough and would obviously recommend them to any future house-sit position. Jennifer Bethell