2025: 11-25 Feb | 27 Feb - 3 Mar | 5-26 Mar | 26 Mar - 17 Apr | 17-22 Apr | 23-30 Apr | 8-30 Sep | 4 Oct - 5 Nov | 1 Dec - 25 Jan 2026 2025: 6 May - 31 Jul
On a house-sit right now
Homegrown Kiwi Couple
Retired
Retired
A professional couple, now in our mid 60's we have moved into retirement and are looking forward to a slower pace of life while travelling around New Zealand and the South Pacific. We have a rural background and are a friendly, reliable, resourceful and capable couple. Over the years we have owned a number of properties and these included several lifestyle blocks. We have always had cats and dogs as pets and are experienced with sheep, cattle, horses, pigs and chickens.
Reviews (25)
Maree and Mike were perfect!
They had great communication and met up with us a couple of times before the house sat to make sure Lottie was comfortable and they could ask questions.
When we came home the house was immaculate and they must have bonded well with Lottie as they said she was very affectionate. Would definitely recommend
LYDIA (Kaiapoi South Island, Feb 2025 - 3 nights)
Fantastic couple they did a brilliant job of looking after Dougie taking him for walks
Our wee man is diabetic and requires insulin injection twice a day and it was no problem for them I cannot praise them enough
Communication was top notch and the house was very clean and tidy when we came home
5 stars plus
Wonderful couple
JENNEPHER (The Brook South Island, Feb 2025 - 4 nights)
We have been lucky to again have Mike and Maree in our home with our two dogs while we were away for eight days. I have no concerns what so ever to leave our home, our large garden, our possessions and our very busy dogs with them. They are fantastic ! Five stars on every front ! Thank you so much.
DIANE (Nelson Central South Island, Jan 2025 - 1 week 1 night - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Maree and Mike were fantastic! Prior to the sit we were fortunate to have them visit. This helped us and our dog’s confidence we’d picked the right couple. We were going to be away for a month and were new to house sitting.
While we were away Mike kept us up to date with pics of the girls and news that all was good. They really put our minds at peace.
Coming home was so lovely , they arranged to leave before we arrived so our reunion with the girls was special .
Maree and Mike went well ... MOREMaree and Mike were fantastic! Prior to the sit we were fortunate to have them visit. This helped us and our dog’s confidence we’d picked the right couple. We were going to be away for a month and were new to house sitting.
While we were away Mike kept us up to date with pics of the girls and news that all was good. They really put our minds at peace.
Coming home was so lovely , they arranged to leave before we arrived so our reunion with the girls was special .
Maree and Mike went well beyond our expectations. They’d gone so far as to make sure we weren’t stressing over food after a seven hour drive ( home made lasagna and milk in the fridge)! So very thoughtful! The house was lovely and clean and the garden was spot on!
Maree & Mike are fabulous people, highly recommend them.
SHONA (Lumsden South Island, Dec 2024 - 1 month 1 week)
Thank you Mike and Marie.
Lovely to come home to happy animals and house left better than we left it.
We would recommend Mike and Marie and have them back anytime.
They obviously love animals very much. Thanks for taking the dogs to the beach. Paddy’s most favourite place.
We may see you again on our travels.
Regards
Ange and Al
ANGE (Waitepeka South Island, Dec 2024 - 4 nights)
We were very fortunate to have Maree and Mike as our house sitters. The house and our pets were extremely well looked after, to the point our dog and two cats looked disappointed to see us home. Our house was tidy and clean when we got home and the bedding and towels etc were all washed and folded. We received some lovely photos of our pets. Maree and Mike were fantastic at communicating
The whole time we were away we never worried or thought about things back home as we knew everything was ... MOREWe were very fortunate to have Maree and Mike as our house sitters. The house and our pets were extremely well looked after, to the point our dog and two cats looked disappointed to see us home. Our house was tidy and clean when we got home and the bedding and towels etc were all washed and folded. We received some lovely photos of our pets. Maree and Mike were fantastic at communicating
The whole time we were away we never worried or thought about things back home as we knew everything was in good hands.
We highly recommend them as house sitters and would hesitate to ask them again to housesit for us again in the future.
DYANNE (Palmerston South Island, Nov 2024 - 1 week 2 nights)
Maree & Mike are a very personable couple and we had no hesitation leaving our cats/house in their capable hands. Not only did they do a fantastic job, they sent regular updates which meant we could enjoy our holiday and not worry about a thing. The bonus was coming home and seeing they had washed and hung out the bedding, towels etc., and finding two very relaxed happy cats. We hope we get to use their services again in the future. Thank you.
LEILA (Rangiora , Nov 2024 - 3 nights)
I don’t know how I can show my gratitude for this wonderful couple. They’re salt of the earth and spend their lives helping and giving. Nothing was a problem from start to finish. We were able to go away and not worry about a thing. The house was immaculate when we got home, they’d bought us essentials like milk, butter and bread, folded washing and the animals were so happy and so well looked after.
Thank you thank you thank you! Highly recommend.
KATIE (Somerfield South Island, Nov 2024 - 1 week 5 nights)
We highly recommend Maree and Mike. They are experienced house sitters who took excellent care of our house and cat. We came home to a very relaxed, happy cat, a clean warm home and tidy garden. Communication was excellent before and during the sit and they provided daily 'cat' updates which allowed us to enjoy our holiday without worrying. Hopefully we will be lucky enough to have Maree and Mike house sit for us in the future!
SALLY (Rangiora South Island, Apr 2024 - 1 week 1 night)
Maree and Mike are such lovely people. They came beforehand and met the dog and cat and made sure they knew exactly what we needed. Highly recommend!!
SHANNON (Rolleston South Island, Apr 2024 - 2 nights)
Due to a severe accident with my husband in critical condition in the hospital, the house sitting was cancelled. But I do want to mention how absolutely gracious even with offers to help us they were, whilst they missed out on something they really had been looking forward to. Great people !!
IETJE (Lyttelton South Island, Apr 2024 - 1 week)
We cannot speak highly enough of Mike and Maree, anyone would be lucky to have them. Absolutely faultless in every aspect, thank you both so much! Very respectful of your on way of doing things, great communication and the house was left immaculate.
JODI (Kaiapoi South Island, Apr 2024 - 5 nights)
Wow, where to start with Mike & Maree?! Right from initially connecting with Mike & Maree we knew how wonderful they were. They did an amazing job looking after our home and pets, going the extra mile taking our dogs for daily beach walks etc. We had regular updates while we were away, and returned to our home being spotless. We cannot recommend Mike & Maree more highly, they were simply wonderful! Thankyou again Mike & Maree!
JESS (Kaikoura South Island, Mar 2024 - 1 week)
My main priority is my animals and Mike and Maree provided exceptional care for them all. I really appreciated the communication and updates from them. They clearly have a love for animals, so I felt really reassured that my animals were in such good hands.
They left the house very clean and tidy so it was really nice to come home to after being away.
We’d have no hesitation in recommending Mike and Maree to anyone who is looking for a caring and thoughtful couple to look after their ... MOREMy main priority is my animals and Mike and Maree provided exceptional care for them all. I really appreciated the communication and updates from them. They clearly have a love for animals, so I felt really reassured that my animals were in such good hands.
They left the house very clean and tidy so it was really nice to come home to after being away.
We’d have no hesitation in recommending Mike and Maree to anyone who is looking for a caring and thoughtful couple to look after their home and animals.
MONICA (Waitati South Island, Mar 2024 - 1 week 2 nights)
We felt very comfortable with Maree and Mike looking after Sassy and our home. Contact was made by Mike and Maree in timely manner and we found them very friendly and had 2 meetings with them prior to sit and communicated with us during the sit. House was clean tidy when we arrived home also found loaf of bread and fresh milk in the fridge. Would use them again
BEVERLEY (Rolleston South Island, Feb 2024 - 2 weeks 1 night)
I can't speak highly enough of Mike and Maree. I have never used Kiwi House Sitters before and was a little concerned at the prospect of doing so but my husband and I were so grateful that we found this couple.
Our 6 year old dog, 16 week old (busy) puppy and 16 year old cat are not always straight forward but Mike and MAree were perfect for the job and attended to every need. Our wee border collie puppy was even taken to his regular puppy school.
The house was immaculate on our return ... MOREI can't speak highly enough of Mike and Maree. I have never used Kiwi House Sitters before and was a little concerned at the prospect of doing so but my husband and I were so grateful that we found this couple.
Our 6 year old dog, 16 week old (busy) puppy and 16 year old cat are not always straight forward but Mike and MAree were perfect for the job and attended to every need. Our wee border collie puppy was even taken to his regular puppy school.
The house was immaculate on our return and the plants, which are suffering in the drought, were attended to
We have no hesitation in recommending Mike and Maree and hope that some day they may come back to visit.
DIANE (Nelson Central South Island, Feb 2024 - 6 nights - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Mike and Maree looked after our house and cats for 4.5 months while we were in Thailand. I every sense of the word their housesitting was exceptional. They totally adopted both nervous cats and reported to us with photos on a regular basis. A couple of maintenance issues (plumbing) arose while we were away and they contacted our plumber and problem resolved within hours. On return, everything was shipshape. Their care was faultless. Would we ask them to house-sit for us again? ... In a ... MOREMike and Maree looked after our house and cats for 4.5 months while we were in Thailand. I every sense of the word their housesitting was exceptional. They totally adopted both nervous cats and reported to us with photos on a regular basis. A couple of maintenance issues (plumbing) arose while we were away and they contacted our plumber and problem resolved within hours. On return, everything was shipshape. Their care was faultless. Would we ask them to house-sit for us again? ... In a heartbeat.
ANN AND RORY (Halswell , Oct 2023 - 4 months)
Maree and Mike were great housesitters and we came home to a happy little dog. AND a very clean and tidy house. What fabulous sitters they were. We wouldnt hesitate to get them again, Thanks so very much
GLENDA (Christchurch South Island, Sep 2023 - 1 week 3 nights)
May 23 from 12th -26 th
Mike and Marie were fabulous , before house sit they came and meet us and Maddie . Mike and Marie made every effort to make us feel comfortable with it being our first time using Kiwihousesitters.
We came home to a beautiful clean and tidy home and a very happy Maddie :-)
We appreciate the little extra thoughts .. milk, butter etc in fridge and the clean fireplace already to just light on our return :-)
Would highly recommend Mike and Marie and will certainly ... MOREMay 23 from 12th -26 th
Mike and Marie were fabulous , before house sit they came and meet us and Maddie . Mike and Marie made every effort to make us feel comfortable with it being our first time using Kiwihousesitters.
We came home to a beautiful clean and tidy home and a very happy Maddie :-)
We appreciate the little extra thoughts .. milk, butter etc in fridge and the clean fireplace already to just light on our return :-)
Would highly recommend Mike and Marie and will certainly have them look after our wee girl again :-)
DEBORA (Ōkiwi Bay South Island, May 2023 - 1 week 6 days)
Thanks for the great review. Maddie waiting outside, she was probably wanting to go to bed, LOL.
We have been very privileged to have Mike and Maree look after our lifestyle block while we were away.
Our three precious dogs and 2 cats had every need met, and we returned home to very contented, happy animals.
Cattle and farm chores were taken care of with expertise and competence. Nothing was a problem for this delightful, friendly couple.
We returned to an immaculate property and cannot recommend Mike and Maree highly enough.
JO & RICHARD (Salisbury South Island, May 2023 - 1 week 2 days)
We can warmly recommend Mike and Maree, we couldn't have wished for better house sitters. Our property and animals (including dog, cat, horses, sheep and chickens) were very well looked after. Great communication throughout, an easygoing, thoughtful and practical couple that really went above and beyond, and we greatly appreciated having them here. Thank you so much!
TINA (Aniseed Valley South Island, Mar 2023 - 1 month 2 weeks)
Maree and Mike were a delight to have housesitting for us. Communication prior was great, the house, garden and Dougie (the cat) were well cared for. I would highly recommend them to housesit and wouldnt hesitate to have them back housesitting again if they are available.
MARIRLYN (Halswell South Island, Mar 2023 - 5 days)
Thank you Mike and Maree for looking after our house and gardens, our two horses and Ollie the cat while we were away. We came home to a very tidy house and happy pets. Mike and Maree were very willing to go the extra mile to make sure our home and pets were well looked after. They made great use of the electric wheelbarrow for the endless task of picking up what the two horses leave behind.
Great communication and no problems.
We would be delighted to have them stay in our home again.
DAVE (Otipua South Island, Feb 2023 - 2 weeks)
Maree and Mike were fantastic sitters! Warm, enthusiastic, easygoing but with great communication. I felt very comfortable leaving them in charge, and the place was beyond spotless when we got back — I didn't want to move back in! Would absolutely love to have them housesit again.
KAILA (Southshore South Island, Dec 2022 - 1 week 5 days)
Mike & Maree were lovely people to deal with and easy to communicate with, who followed all our instructions regarding the care of our property by mowing the lawns and keeping everything tidy as well as keeping our young calves well fed. They loved having fresh veggies from our tunnel house which they kept well watered. Buddy our dog was recovering from surgery and was looked after with kindness and they loved him to bits and spoilt him and even taking him to the vet for preventative care. We ... MOREMike & Maree were lovely people to deal with and easy to communicate with, who followed all our instructions regarding the care of our property by mowing the lawns and keeping everything tidy as well as keeping our young calves well fed. They loved having fresh veggies from our tunnel house which they kept well watered. Buddy our dog was recovering from surgery and was looked after with kindness and they loved him to bits and spoilt him and even taking him to the vet for preventative care. We would recommend Mike & Maree to anyone as great house sitters who would take pride in your property as if it was there own. If we go away again we hope we can use them again as we know everything would be in safe hands.
DICK & NICKIE (RETIRED) (RD2 Amberley South Island, Oct 2022 - 2 weeks 2 days)
Green garden!
Make sure the garden and pot plants are thriving when you get back - get a house sitter.