EXPERIENCED SITTERS WE OFFER A FRIENDLY AND PROFESSIONAL HOUSE & PET SITTING SERVICE ENJOY PEACE OF MIND WHILST YOU ARE AWAY.
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Hi, we are Rich & Amanda, the House Sitting Couple. Our aim is to provide you with complete peace of mind, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your time away.
HOUSE SITTING
Property owners and house-sit hosts ourselves, we have a respect for the situation you are in and will care for your property as if it was our own. All we ask is for a room to call our own and some storage space.
PET SITTING
If you have pets that you would like looked after, we will give them the same love and attention that you do - all within an environment they are used to. If they have a routine, we will stick to it. If they require medication, we have experience administering it.
ABOUT US
Originally from the UK, we emigrated to New Zealand in 2011 and 6 years later became New Zealand citizens. We are both professionals; Rich is a web developer and Amanda is an ex-NICU nurse/Project Manager who now works in Health & Safety Consultant. We have both grown up with animals, but our current situation does not allow us to have any of our own. We love to walk, so dogs will not want for exercise.
WHY DO WE HOUSE SIT?
We spent more than five years living in Auckland and consider this beautiful country home; we even got married on Piha Beach. Following this, we travelled around the South Island one house sit at a time and then back to the UK for an extended visit. We had some great house sits there as well. We are now settled in Nelson but still love to explore and use house-sitting to feel like locals when we travel.
HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO WE HAVE?
We were full time house-sitters from May 2017 to March 2019 and have looked after dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, horses, cows, fish, rabbits and vege gardens! We've since returned to a more conventional lifestyle but still do the odd house sit. We have profiles on KiwiHouseSitters, TrustedHouseSitters and HelpX.
You can also find all our reviews here.
Rich & Amanda
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Our Story
Originally from the UK, we emigrated to New Zealand in 2011. We became permanents residents shortly after and have since, become New Zealand Citizens.
We started our new life living and working in Auckland. It has its 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 whetted 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 rural. 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, headed for the South Island and started house-sitting full time. First stop Diamond Harbour on the Banks Peninsula.
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 we started - 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 and skills for food and board. In most cases this has meant gardening or cleaning in BnB's.
In 2018 we returned to the UK for summer to visit friends and ended up completing several more sits there.
When we started our shortlist of potential places to settle had just two entries - Nelson & The Bay of Plenty. That has now grown to Nelson, Motueka, Diamond Harbour & The Bay of Plenty - how will we decide!?
Along the way we have looked after some awesome pets and met some great people, some of whom have become good friends.
UPDATE: It was a close thing but we ended up deciding on Nelson and love it here.
UDPATE: We are settled now in Nelson, so no longer sit full time however we do still complete occasional sits.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT US
Rich is originally 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 recently volunteered 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 making the most of Nelson's mountain bike trails.
Amanda is an ex NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse / Health & Safety professional, who now works in Project Management. She 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.
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Our Sits
To date we have completed 33 house sits and 3 Helpx stays. Totalling over 3 years !
Hampstead Heath, London, UK Aug 2023
4 Days
A sit like this epitomises everything we love about house-sitting! Excellent communication from the get-go; great location and a comfy bed, with room to unpack the suitcase. Nala was a little shy and mostly kept to herself, but was easy to look after, helped by detailed notes from our hosts. The apartment itself was comfortable, clean and beautiful; with lots of art and interesting decor, show-casing the owners travels. We also added loads of books to our to read list after perusing the bookcase!
Amanda and Rich are genuinely lovely people and we were totally comfortable with them looking after our lovely Nala from the first time we chatted with them. Communication before and during the sit was excellent. We got home to a very happy cat and a perfectly clean and tidy home. We'd highly recommend them as sitters and would happily have them sit for us again.Kate
Brighton, UK August 2023
4 Days
Originally from Brighton, we were stoked when Marion chose us to sit for Taco, Bonita & Lily. The location made it easy to get in and out of town and visit all our old haunts. Marion left detailed instructions, which made looking after the cats really easy. The cats were affectionate once they got to know us and loved to play.
Rich and Amanda were amazing with my fur babies. They arrived on time and kept me posted all the time. So I was never worried. They were very responsive and sent pictures and videos all the time. They left my house cleaned and tidy. I would definitely be more than happy to let them sit my babies again.Marion
Storrington, UK Aug 2023
5 Days
We've been on the go since we arrived back in the UK, so this sit in the small village of Storrington was perfect for some much needed R&R. Ginny the cat was super easy to look after and the first cat we've met who fetches toys when she wants to play! Christine's communication was excellent and one of her recommendations was the highlight of our stay.
Rich and Amanda were a lovely couple. They kept in touch before and during the sit, arrived on time, left the house clean and tidy and Ginny was well looked after.Christine
Finsbury Park, London July 2023
5 Days
We really enjoyed our time looking after Jaap Stam & Karamo. Two gorgeous cats with tons of personality! Finsbury Park was an awesome location for exploring London with easy access to tube, rail and bus. The flat itself was modern and warm and we loved the style and quirky touches - the dining table chairs in particular! Fliss & Matt's communication was excellent, as was the welcome info and local recommendations. We'd happily return should the stars align.
Rich and Amanda were dream sitters for our flat and two cats. They sent regular updates, really got to know the area and we came back to a flat tidier than we'd left it! Couldn't have asked for more and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them 😊Fliss & Matt
Tauranga, Easter 2023
1 Week
We first met Jen & Mike through AirBnb, became friends and then started our house-sitting journey looking after their lifestyle block - jumped in at the deep end! This time around was a much simpler sit than our first; whilst we kept an eye on the cows our primary focus was the cats and chickens. That cats are older now, but must have mellowed or just got used to us, because they were much more relaxed and even let us groom them this time, they have also become more playful. Before we knew it Jen & Mike were back and sharing stories from their holiday.
We were delighted Amanda and Rich were able to house sit for us for a week in March. Our cats and chickens were beautifully looked after and entirely relaxed upon our return. Thank you once againJen & Mike
Wychbury, Christchurch DEC 22 / JAN 23
1 Month
We enjoyed our last Christmas in Christchurch so much, we thought we'd come back for another. This sit provided us with the perfect location to catch up with old friends, cycle into the city (or the MTB park) or hit the beach for a surf. We fell in love with both Kirsty & Phil, two very different but equally characterful cats. The house was a nice place to relax; we made good use of the hot tub (sorry, spa tub)!
Amanda and Rich looked after our house and cats for 4 weeks over the Summer of 2023. Our cats are considered members of the family, so leaving them for a month was a big deal for us.Rich and Amanda were amazing! We had very regular updates, including photos and videos, from them so that we all knew they were doing well (honestly I think the cats prefer Rich and Amanda).
One of our cats requires daily medication for cancer. This did not bother Rich or Amanda in the slightest. It is hard to find people who are happy to give medication - so thank you! When we arrived home,... Show moreKate & Jeff Tait
Marahau, NZ October 2022
2 Weeks
We've always been curious about Tiny Houses and whether we could live in one. This house sit gave us the opportunity to try two for size! The decision was yes, if well designed we could live in a Tiny House (or two); if only we could find somewhere to put them. This was a very peaceful and relaxing house sit; with beautiful surroundings and lots of fresh air and bird song. We also spent a lot of time walking the nearby estuary and Abel Tasman Great Walk - it was even warm enough for a swim, just! Onyx herself was a joy to look after, really relaxed and easy going.
I am thrilled to have had Richard and Amanda as housesitters. When I came back my dog, Onyx, was content and obviously well looked after. Always nice to have that feeling and trust. The Tinyhomes were beautifully looked after. So I highly recommend them for any sits. Thankyou.Karen Mcconnell
Redcliffs, Christchurch NZ DEC 2021
1 Week, 4 Days
We really enjoyed our time with Gypsy. After some initial hesitancy she soon accepted us and was open to lots of snuggles on the sofa. We loved the location of the house, a short cycle from the cafes and surf at Sumner. The house was comfortable, the veranda provided welcome shade on the hot days and the nearby trees plenty of birdsong. Nish's communication was excellent. We'd happily look after Gypsy again in the future if the stars align
We couldn't be happier with Rich and Amanda. They are our first sitters since we joined kiwi housesitters and they have certainly set the bar high. Our little girl Gypsy felt very comfortable from day one itself and usually she can be quite timid. The communication was clear and consistent with updates and pics of how Gypsy was going. Our house was clean and tidy which is the best feeling when you come home from your holiday! I hope we cross paths again in the future if they are back in CHch :)Nish
Nelson, NZ July 2021
3 days
A perfect relaxing weekend after a busy week at work, very grateful to Emma and David for asking us again to look after Barnaby and Dalston.
Have I told you lately how awesome you are?! Thank you for looking after the floofers. Emma & David
Nelson, NZ June 2021
3 days
A short weekend with Barnaby and Dalston always means a relaxing and happy weekend with lots of snuggles.
Thank you again for looking after Barnaby and Dalston.Emma & David
Nelson, NZ March 2021
4 days
Our first sit for a puppy, Tilly, who was approx 16 weeks old, was a delight and full of energy. We applied for this sit as a way to meet more people in Nelson and to have some time with pets as our rental situation doesn't allow us to have our own. Naturally, with Nelson being a small city, Tilly is also friends with Barnaby. Being locals, we were able to meet Tilly before the house sit commenced to allow her to get used to us and understand her routine. We have also been able to meet up with Tilly since the house sit and seen her out on about while with Barnaby
Amanda and Rich took on the challenging task of pet-sitting our very young and extremely energetic Jack Russell puppy. Not only were they up for the challenge, but they actually seemed to relish it. When we came back from a weekend away not only was the house in one piece, but Tilly had a great time. We were extremely grateful for the sit as Covid had presented many challenges for trips away. Being able to leave Tilly in such capable hands plus having a spotless house on our return was such a bonus. Tilly , Jeff and I would love to have Amanda and Rich come again.Sara & Jeff
Nelson, NZ August 2020
4 days
We've been busy settling into our new life in Nelson so this has been our first sit for a while. The perfect location a literal stones throw from a nice wee pub and with a puppy and kitten that were great fun. We've since looked after them again (a wee bit bigger now!) and they are just as much fun.
Thank you so much for spending the weekend looking after our fur babies. We came home to a contented pair, a little tired, but very happy. We very much appreciated our made bed too!! Woof, thanks!! Mew, thanks!!!Emma & David
Nelson, NZ Feb 2020
2 Days
A short, but sweet couple of days looking after Arlo again. Just as cute and playful as we remembered.
We had to go away for a weekend at end of January and because of the way Amanda and Rich looked after our house in 2019 we asked them to look after it and Arlo again.Eric & Diane
Wanaka, NZ Nov 2019
3 Weeks
We loved our last stay looking after Boots and so were delighted when Beverly & Ben asked us to sit again. Our previous stay was in late autumn and so it was great to explore Wanaka in a different season; definitely one of our favorite areas in NZ. The warmer weather also meant we could make use of the pool this time. :0) Boots was just as we remembered her, affectionate and full of character.
Amanda & Richard are repeat housesitters for us. The reason for this is they truly love our beloved cat and treat her almost like royalty!Beverley & Ben
Nelson, NZ MAY 2019
2 WEEKS
Our first house sit back in NZ was looking after Arlo, a gorgeous Australian Silky Terrier puppy. Only 18 months old, Arlo just loves being around people; whether he is out walking, indoors playing or just having a snuggle.
We had Amanda and Rich to look after our home and dog for 2 weeks. When we arrived back we could not have been happier. The dog was groomed and healthy. The house had been cleaned thoroughly. They are a genuine caring couple and we would have them back anytime and certainly recommend them for any one wanting someone to care for their pets and house.Eric & Diane
Brighton, UK DEC 2018 - MARCH 2019
15 WEEKS
It was great to be back in Brighton. Friends of ours were travelling abroad for an extended period of time and we jumped at the opportunity when they asked us to house-sit for them. Although our friends don't have any pets they were keen to have their home occupied for this time. We were able to give them piece of mind over the winter as they had a leaking roof which was in process of being repaired when they left. Their home was cosy and perfect. They ensured we had space to unpack our few belongings and make the house feel like our home while we were there. The home... Show more
Thank you so so so much for looking after the house for us and leaving it so spotlessly tidy and clean as well. It looks beautiful!!Karen & Dave Draper
St. Ives, UK NOV / DEC 2018
3 WEEKS
We had a wonderful stay in St Ives looking after Bramley, Apple, Loki and Bear. Our daily walks gave us plenty of time to check out the local neighbourhood and for Bramley to sniff as many leaves as he wanted! The dogs (Bramley, Apple and Loki) were very loving and enjoyed a snuggle in front of the TV in the evening, with Apple engaging with animal story lines! Bear, a beautiful British Shorthair cat, would just lay back and want to play. Fenella and Mark were very welcoming and it was nice to spend time with them before and after their trip. We had our own room with a... Show more
Rich and Amanda were fantastic, such a lovely couple, super chilled and we really enjoyed spending a few days with them both. Our fur family loved them and we returned to super chilled dogs and cat; a lovely clean house and Amanda treated us to a home cooked dinner which was really kind. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Amanda and Rich, superb sitters. Thank you both.Fenella & Mark Thomas
Brighton, UK OCT 2018
5 WEEKS
We were very happy when Katy, Darren & Daisy chose us to look after Suggs. We used to live in Brighton and we relished the opportunity to spend some extended time there again. We were able to visit a few old haunts and catch up with lots of friends. The house is just a 10 minute walk to the edge of the South Downs; and we made sure to get on a few walks for spectacular views over Brighton and the Sussex countryside. We also made use of the local pub at the end of the road and the excellent fish and chip shop around the corner. The house was warm, the bed comfortable and we... Show more
We needed a sitter to look after our old cat Suggs who has to have medication three times a day whilst we were away for a month. We had a good feeling about Rich and Amanda right from the start. This was the first time we had used sitters and their experience really put us at ease. They were very good at keeping in touch both before and during our trip. Our daughter loved getting photos and updates about our cat whilst we were away. Rich and Amanda happily took Suggs to a pre-arranged vets appointment and we returned to a very relaxed and healthy looking cat. If Rich and... Show moreKaty & Darren Hearn
Market Harborough, UK SEPT 2018
10 DAYS
Craig, Rianna, Daisy & Dougal live in a very clean, modern, warm home on a new development which is within walking distance to the town centre, including the main supermarkets. We had our own bedroom, with a big comfortable (firm) bed, and space was made for us to store food in the kitchen. The underfloor heating in the kitchen was rather indulgent! Daisy & Dougal are British Shorthair cats - the original Cheshire cat! They are extremely cute and hugely entertaining, they made us smile and laugh every day. They love to play, in fact the house sometimes looked as if... Show more
We booked Rich and Amanda for our longest sit yet, a solid ten days away and we have nothing but great things to say about them. From the initial Facetime call to when they left us on our return from holiday, everything was first class. They come with bags of experience of house sitting so it almost felt like we were getting professionals in! They seemed like a perfect fit for us when we spoke to them before us all agreeing on the sit, and we also had them over a night before we left on holiday to give extra time to meet the cats and sort instructions for the house/where... Show moreCraig & Rianna
Odstock, UK AUG 2018
3 WEEKS
We had a wonderful stay at Sharon's looking after Charlie. It was in a little village just outside Salisbury with a decent pub and good beer! There were plenty of walks nearby - one of our favourites was across the farmland to the next village to buy fresh milk straight from the farm. Sharon’s house was spacious, very clean and in a beautiful rural setting - it was so dark and quiet that we slept in often!! We had our own large, double bedroom and bathroom. Charlie was great fun to look after. He is a very polite dog who loves to walk. We had 2 walks each day which gave... Show more
Rich and Amanda are both highly professional and take the responsibility of house sitting extremely seriously. I was impressed at our first meeting by the questions they had, and the care they took to find out as much as they could about Charlie and my the running of my home. On my return, the house was immaculate, and Charlie was relaxed and had been clearly very well looked after. Amanda left detailed notes about their stay, and had even baked a cake as a welcome home. I couldn't recommend them more highly, they really were the perfect house sitters.Sharon Pickup
Evesham, UK JUN / JUL 2018
2 WEEKS
We were delighted when Kate & Bill chose us to house sit for them as The Cotswolds was somewhere we both wanted to explore during our time back in the UK. It was their first time using house-sitters and so we used our experience to guide them through the process and allay any fears they had. Their communication was excellent and they provided us with lots of useful and thoughtful information. From the moment we met them we felt very welcome in their home; almost as if we were old friends visiting. We had a wonderful evening with them before they left for their holiday... Show more
This was a first for us. When our beloved cat Murphy became too old to leave his home to stay in the local cattery while we went on holiday, we had the idea of finding an organised house sitter, not even sure of what that might look like or where we would begin to find one. It turned out to be one of the best ideas we've ever had, and it came in the shape of Rich and Amanda, all the way from New Zealand and already planning a big trip to the UK. Their initial application was very reassuring - they were obviously experienced and knew better than we did what was required for... Show moreKate & Bill Bird
Wanaka, NZ APR / MAY 2018
5 Weeks
Wanaka was always somewhere we wanted to explore properly but house-sits were few and far between; so we were delighted when we confirmed a sit with Beverley & Ben. From the outset their communication was excellent. This was the first time we had arrived to a sit without the owners being present. But their communication and extensive welcome pack meant we were soon feeling at home and ready to look after Boots who had not been well prior to our arrival. Boots was a joy to look after, so affectionate and full of character. We miss our evening snuggles and Rich's work... Show more
We met & interviewed Rich & Amanda & knew after the first 5 minutes they were the type of people we would love to have living in our home looking after our dearly beloved cat Boots. They then made a special trip to Wanaka to meet Boots & learn the house systems & garden needs.They immediately related to her and her special needs. It was very clear they were both "pet people" and this wasn't merely a way to get "free accommodation" Both Rich & Amanda were very focussed on what we required of them and asked in-depth questions to ensure they understood all the details. They... Show moreBeverley & Ben
Diamond Harbour, NZ FEB / MAR 2018
7 Weeks
After spending time house-sitting here over both Winter and Autumn, this sit provided us with the opportunity to experience Summer and the local music festivals. Our base was a stone's through from the village centre and we made good use of the excellent weather to get out and explore. Smokey and Whittaker were easy to look after and Smokey soon became our shadows once they he got to know us. This was our third sit in Diamond Harbour and for good reason; we love it here and plan to return as soon as possible.
Thank you Amanda and Rich for taking such thoughtful care of my cats and my home.
Your compassion and willingness to go beyond to ensure Smokey was treated appropriately after his accident is so appreciated. He convalesced like a king thanks to your loving care.
My very best wishes for the future.
I whole heartily recommend you to anyone looking for thoughtful, caring, and trustworthy house sitters and animal carers.‎Michael O'Neill‎
Kaikoura, NZ JAN 2018
1 WEEK
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, knowledgeable 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, NZ 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 in such a beautiful location. Ralph the cat was quite a character and Ginger the rabbit was easy to look after. Ralph was very friendly, chatty and loved to snuggle in the evenings. He can also "fist bump"!! We were made to feel welcome from the first day with a room of our own and a home cooked meal. The house had amazing views over to Saint Kilda & Saint Clair, from which we witnessed some magical sunsets. It was... Show more
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... Show moreTyron & Nicola Wall
Queenstown, NZ DEC 2017
2 WEEKS
We really enjoyed our short time here. It provided us with a great base to explore Queenstown and around. Our HelpX work was varied and never 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, NZ NOV / DEC 2017
10 DAYS
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, NZ NOV 2017
2 WEEKS
Alexandra was not what we were expecting. There was a lot of walking and cycling in the area and of course a good supply of the famous Central Otago Pinot Noir. Our hosts were very generous and good company. We loved looking after their chickens, easy care 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 loved how a lot of the walks smelt of wild Thyme. We also had good fun moving the irrigation system and netting the cherries - our reward being a large punnet to take away with... Show more
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... Show morePauline McAlpine
Timaru, NZ OCT 2017
1 WEEK
One of our shortest sits, but also one our of our busiest - on paper at least; with 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 strenuous! 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... Show moreJo Robinson
Motueka, NZ SEPT / 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 luxury Bed & Breakfast 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! 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, NZ AUG 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 our 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, NZ JUL / AUG 2017
3 WEEKS
It was great to be able to stay on the Banks Peninsula for a little longer. We looked after Sean, the Irish terrier, a very relaxed dog who loves to spin!! The house was in an amazing location, with stunning views over Lyttleton harbour offering some fantastic sunrises (if you can get up that early!) A couple of minutes away was one of the many entrances to the coastal cliff walk. Having a hot tub was a welcome bonus!
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, NZ JUN / JUL 2017
5 WEEKS
This sit was on the other side of the Banks Peninsula to Diamond Harbour and what a contrast. It was the middle of winter and unfortunately we never really 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 experience of the isolation - we also learnt that this kind of location is not for us. The big plus was the views of the hills 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 & Bernie Shapiro
Diamond Harbour, NZ MAY / JUN 2017
5 WEEKS
Out first sit of our trip since leaving Auckland 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 off 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 the pub 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... Show moreGill & Mark Waterhouse
Tauranga, NZ DEC 2016 / JAN 2017
2 WEEKS
Back again to our favourite lifestyle block, this time over Christmas and New Year. A great place to spend the holidays with blue dome days a regular occurrence 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 survived 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... Show moreJennifer Bethell
Tauranga, NZ OCT 2016
4 DAYS
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 ensure 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... Show moreJennifer Bethell
Icons from Natures Collection & Roberto Chiaveri @ The Noun Project
A sit like this epitomises everything we love about house-sitting! Excellent communication from the get-go; great location and a comfy bed, with room to unpack the suitcase. Nala was a little shy and mostly kept to herself, but was easy to look after, helped by detailed notes from our hosts. The apartment itself was comfortable, clean and beautiful; with lots of art and interesting decor, show-casing the owners travels. We also added loads of books to our to read list after perusing the bookcase!
We first met Jen & Mike through AirBnb, became friends and then started our house-sitting journey looking after their lifestyle block - jumped in at the deep end! This time around was a much simpler sit than our first; whilst we kept an eye on the cows our primary focus was the cats and chickens. That cats are older now, but must have mellowed or just got used to us, because they were much more relaxed and even let us groom them this time, they have also become more playful. Before we knew it Jen & Mike were back and sharing stories from their holiday.
