I am a mature, professional, single female, fully vaccinated and I'm looking for house sits in the South Island - open to locations, please contact me direct. I am a non smoker and have police clearance. I have lived and worked in Christchurch for the last 11 years and have 6+ years experience of completing house sits for families, couples and singles across Canterbury and the South Island. I have owned my own houses in the UK, and had my own dog and cat as pets. I have house sat for people with cats, dogs, rabbits and lifestyle blocks that have had sheep (30+) horses (10+ at a hobby stud), cows, alpacas, goats, chickens and ducks and have also required tending large vegetable gardens. I am a keen gardener and happy to cut lawns, water and tend vegetables and flowers/shrubs as required. I previously worked in the leisure industry and have experience of swimming & spa pool maintenance, dosing and cleaning - having looked after many pools and spas on my housesits here in NZ. I look forward to hearing from you. Claire
Reviews (28)
It was an absolute pleasure to have Claire taking care of our house and cat while we were away for 2 months. Claire is a lovely, friendly person, and she was so easy to communicate with, right from the initial organisation, through to giving us occasional updates while we were away. It made our trip so much more relaxing knowing that everything was being taken care of at home. The house was looked after perfectly, and our cat and Claire seemed to get on very well! I know that Claire is in hot ... MOREIt was an absolute pleasure to have Claire taking care of our house and cat while we were away for 2 months. Claire is a lovely, friendly person, and she was so easy to communicate with, right from the initial organisation, through to giving us occasional updates while we were away. It made our trip so much more relaxing knowing that everything was being taken care of at home. The house was looked after perfectly, and our cat and Claire seemed to get on very well! I know that Claire is in hot demand, but I will absolutely get back in touch if we go on another trip in future :) I cannot recommend Claire enough, thank you!
JESSICA (Waltham South Island, May 2024 - 2 months)
This was the first time we have used KIwi House Sitters and we are very impressed both with the service, but especially Claire.
From first meeting Claire, to conversations before we went away and then the communication while we were away, we knew our cats were going to be well looked after.
Claire was a great person to look after our cats and we loved the updates with photos showing that the cats were comfortable in Claires company.
The house was left immaculate and tidy when we returned ... MOREThis was the first time we have used KIwi House Sitters and we are very impressed both with the service, but especially Claire.
From first meeting Claire, to conversations before we went away and then the communication while we were away, we knew our cats were going to be well looked after.
Claire was a great person to look after our cats and we loved the updates with photos showing that the cats were comfortable in Claires company.
The house was left immaculate and tidy when we returned from our trip.
I would highly recommend Claire and if/when we head away again we shall certainly try to engage Claire next time.
Thank you Claire.
JASON (Lincoln South Island, Jul 2024 - 4 weeks)
Thank you so much for the lovely review, your communication, beautiful home and easy to care for cats made this an awesome sit for me too! Thanks and I hope I can sit for Merlot and Pinot again in the future.
Claire took great care of our home while we were away and we got back to find it spotless! Very much appreciated.
RIMU (Waltham South Island, Jun 2024 - 2 months)
Thanks for the review, I loved staying in your wee home. The plants were easy care and your home was lovely and warm for a winter sit.
Great communication and looked after our cat, home and garden to perfection. Even made excess tomatoes into soup for us. Highly recommended.
Thanks Claire.
CLARE (Christchurch , Mar 2024 - 5 nights)
Claire is our regular sitter and always does a great job and feels like family. This time she had our new kitten to look after as well as Harley so a bit more hands on cat rangling! Of course she managed it all no problem.
AILEEN AND GIL (Charteris Bay , Mar 2024 - 5 nights - 1 of 3 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks Aileen and Gil, Tui was delightful once he got used to me. Missed my cuddles with Harley though, so I hope they'll be buddies soon. Thanks as always for looking after me.
We couldn't have found a better house sitter then Claire. Her communication was amazing, the dogs loved her and she kept our home super tidy! Highly recommend and will use her again.
SHANNON (Bryndwr South Island, Mar 2024 - 6 nights)
Thanks Shannon, I really did fall in love with your 2. They were great company and I loved their cuddles, snores and all. I hope I can sit at the new house for you, good luck for the move.
Claire is a wonderful housesitter! So easy to communicate with and we got pics and updates of the animals during the week. It was lovely to come home to a sparkling home and happy and relaxed animals! Harley went looking for Claire in the spare room our first night home. She is missing her 😊 I would always request Claire to housesit for us in future! She is fantastic!
BEV (Rangiora South Island, Jan 2024 - 1 week - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks Bev, another lovely housesit, bar the lost Brownie, lol! I'm missing Harley too, she did sneak in a few nights I must admit! Thanks also for the goodies, much appreciated. Glad you had a good holiday, I'll see Harley and Chloe again soon x
Otis was a happy chap when we got home. The house was better than when left. Doing the lawns for us was appreciated, given the wet winter in Christchurch.
The update pics of Otis was great to see also. Kids were pleased to see him happy.
Highly recommend Claire.
DONALD (Papanui South Island, Jun 2023 - 1 month 1 week - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Claire was a fantastic house and pet sitter for us! She was wonderful with our little dog and cat and we got home to a tidy clean home with happy pets and blooming flowers. Claire watered the plants in and out for us without being asked to. Thank you Claire we will definitely be asking you to Housesitter when we are next away.
BEV (Rangiora South Island, Jan 2023 - 1 week 2 days - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks Bev, your home was lovely to stay in. Chloe and Harley are both a delight and easy to care for. I hope I will see them both again soon, thanks Claire
Otis made a new friend. Claire looked after him and our house very well. Highly recommend Claire. Great to return home to a tidy house and Otis looking happy.
DONALD (Papanui South Island, Jan 2023 - 2 weeks - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks Donald, Otis was a delight to look after. Looking forward to our next few weeks together later in the year.
Claire was wonderful, filling in a short sit for me. She was quick to meet up and confirm and looked after the cats and house very well for me.
I would definitely recommend Claire to look after your house and pets and look forward to her housesitting for us again.
NIC (Sydenham South Island, Dec 2022 - 4 days)
Thanks Nic, I enjoyed my few days with Oedipus and Tabs. The hot tub was a treat too, hopefully I can help out again soon.
Claire was an excellent house and cat sitter. Her communication was great and she helped make our first house sitting experience a breeze! We arrived home to an extremely clean house and dinner ready to heat and eat. Highly recommend!
LISA (Northcote South Island, Nov 2022 - 2 weeks 3 days)
I'm so glad you had a lovely honeymoon. It was the least I could do to make your home welcoming to come back too, for your first housesitter experience. Thanks for all the wine, and I hope Alfie will have me back sometime.
Claire has always been a great pet/house sitter for us and this time was no exception.
Loki does like to chat to people he is comfortable around and Claire is one of those people.
We always contact Claire to see if she is free when we need a sitter. She takes great care of our Loki and our home.
Cheers,
Sue & Steve
SUE (Lincoln South Island, Sep 2022 - 1 month 2 weeks - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks Sue, I really loved getting to know Loki a bit better, we had some great chats. I hope we can catch up soon and you know where I am for future sits.
Yet again the lovely Claire did an exemplary job of caring for our house, garden and cat whilst we had a short break away. Claire has become our regular house sitter over the past year and a half and she feels like family. We can't recommend her highly enough. You are such a gem Claire! �
AILEEN AND GIL (Charteris Bay , Nov 2021 - 8 days - 2 of 3 endorsements from this owner )
Thank you so much Aileen and Gil, I love Harley's company and enjoying my 'holiday' home whilst you are away. Thank you for all that you have done for me too!
Excellent and can highly recommend Claire. Hope to have her back some time.
LIS (Pohara South Island, Oct 2021 - 1 week 1 day)
Thanks Lis, I'll be back in a heart beat. Hope you had a great holiday.
Claire house sat for us and looked after our 3 cats and Labrador. Our dog required special attention, as he had abdominal surgery a few days before we left. Claire was confident looking after Jack and she was attentive and very caring. I would thoroughly recommend Claire as a housesitter and we hope to have her to stay in the future.
PAULA (Swannanoa , Jul 2021 - 1 week 1 day)
Thanks Paula, your home was lovely to stay in for a winter sit. Jack was an easy patient, I enjoyed his company whilst he chilled and recovered. I enjoyed the cuddles from the cats too. I hope I can sit again for you in the future, thanks for letting me stay in your family home. Claire
Claire was a fantastic house sitter for us over the 8 days we were away.
She made the effort to come out before hand & meet my 2 Ragdoll cats & to get a run down on our home. My cats are long haired & require daily brushing to prevent them from getting knots.
I came home to 2 very well looked after cats, the house was lovely & clean & Claire had even washed the sheets that were on her bed.
I highly recommend Claire. She certainly goes above & beyond & I would love to have her house sit ... MOREClaire was a fantastic house sitter for us over the 8 days we were away.
She made the effort to come out before hand & meet my 2 Ragdoll cats & to get a run down on our home. My cats are long haired & require daily brushing to prevent them from getting knots.
I came home to 2 very well looked after cats, the house was lovely & clean & Claire had even washed the sheets that were on her bed.
I highly recommend Claire. She certainly goes above & beyond & I would love to have her house sit again.
Thanks Claire you're an absolute star!
DEE (Little River South Island, Feb 2021 - 1 week 1 day)
We have had Claire housesit for us for a second year over the Christmas New year period. Claires communcation is fantastic, popping in before housesit to see how we run and even taking the time sending through photos for the kids to see their pets. Came home to a clean and tidy home, pets happy and sparkling pool. Highly recommend Claire for any house sitting ventures A++++
SONYA (Somerfield South Island, Dec 2020 - 2 weeks 6 days - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
We were very lucky to secure Claire to sit for us at short notice after lockdown and it worked out so well. We came home tired after a long drive to find a very contented cat waiting for us, food in the fridge, fruit in the fruit bowl, and some delicious homemade soup thawing so we didn't have to think about cooking dinner. The house was perfect, even the 2 fires were set ready to light! Claire is practical, pleasant, nothing is a bother and we felt very relaxed about leaving our home and pet ... MOREWe were very lucky to secure Claire to sit for us at short notice after lockdown and it worked out so well. We came home tired after a long drive to find a very contented cat waiting for us, food in the fridge, fruit in the fruit bowl, and some delicious homemade soup thawing so we didn't have to think about cooking dinner. The house was perfect, even the 2 fires were set ready to light! Claire is practical, pleasant, nothing is a bother and we felt very relaxed about leaving our home and pet in her care after meeting her. We would not hesitate to recommend her as an A ++ house sitter and really hope she will be available when we need her again! Thanks Claire you are awesome!!!
AILEEN AND GIL (Charteris Bay , May 2020 - 4 weeks - 3 of 3 endorsements from this owner )
Claire took care of our big garden and our Miradoll cat Minke for 6wks while we caravanned around the North Is. During this time we had regular messages from her with photos of Minke. We had to have house rules for Minke as he is a bit of a wanderer and Claire managed him so well! We came home to a spotless house, flowers in vases, food in the fridge and a very happy cat. The garden too had been kept in good order especially as there were watering restrictions. Claire is totally reliable, very ... MOREClaire took care of our big garden and our Miradoll cat Minke for 6wks while we caravanned around the North Is. During this time we had regular messages from her with photos of Minke. We had to have house rules for Minke as he is a bit of a wanderer and Claire managed him so well! We came home to a spotless house, flowers in vases, food in the fridge and a very happy cat. The garden too had been kept in good order especially as there were watering restrictions. Claire is totally reliable, very caring and a very good communicator. We would certainly recommend her as a house sitter - if she's not already booked up!
Blessings Claire
JANE (Burnside South Island, Feb 2020 - 1 month 2 weeks)
Claire was a wonderful housesitter over Christmas and New Year for 3 weeks. We came home to very happy pets, a well presented home , gardens watered lawns mowed and cared for and a lovely swimable pool. Claire went beyond what we expected and had brought milk bread, cheese, ham, chocs for the kids, fresh fruit and baking which was fantastic when we arrived back later than expected. Huge thank you Claire. The kids loved that elfie got to hang with you to. Highly recommend Claire, responsible, ... MOREClaire was a wonderful housesitter over Christmas and New Year for 3 weeks. We came home to very happy pets, a well presented home , gardens watered lawns mowed and cared for and a lovely swimable pool. Claire went beyond what we expected and had brought milk bread, cheese, ham, chocs for the kids, fresh fruit and baking which was fantastic when we arrived back later than expected. Huge thank you Claire. The kids loved that elfie got to hang with you to. Highly recommend Claire, responsible, honest, caring and great to deal with.
SONYA (Christchurch South Island, Dec 2019 - 3 weeks - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Claire was great, we felt completely comfortable to have her looking after our house and cat.
Communication was awesome especially with photos of Abby. Highly recommend
DAN (Templeton South Island, Aug 2019 - 4 weeks)
Thank you Dan and Gemma, I enjoyed my time with Abby and your lovely warm house. I'm glad you all had a great holiday.
Claire took great care of our two boys (cats) and the property. I'm sure they would prefer she was still here.
Would recommend Claire to look after your fur babies and home as if they were her own. Thank you so much Claire.
Sue & Steve
SUE (Lincoln South Island, Aug 2019 - 1 week 1 day - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Hi Sue
Thanks for the review, the boys were no trouble and I enjoyed the house and Spa, thank you. Claire
Claire is a fantastic house sitter, the house was cleaner and tidier when we got home than when we left.
She did an amazing job of feeding and covering all our animals (10 horses) in the middle of winter.
Her communication was excellent, updating us on the horses, etc.
Will very happily have Claire back to look after things when we go on our next adventure.
MELANIE (Rangiora , May 2019 - 6 weeks)
Thanks Melanie,
I loved being at your place, although at times there was a bit to do it felt like a winter holiday. The horses were great to be around, Claire
Claire was a fabulous house sitter and looked after our two pussy cats lovingly. It was great to see our house was in the hands of someone who enjoyed our lifestyle and looked after everything perfectly.(Im very house proud - so thats hard to do!)
I am booking Claire again as she is awesome!
APRIL (Governors Bay, Christchurch , Feb 2019)
Thank you April, your home is beautiful. I loved being there and looking after Lulu and Jake and can't wait to house sit again for you.
We met Claire before we went on our holiday and felt confident as soon as we did that both our cat and house were going to be in safe hands while we were away.Claire did a great job of keeping us updated while we were away by sending us photos of a very happy, spoiled cat. She also left the house in tip top shape which was a real pleasure to come home to. We would highly recommend Claire as a housesitter and if she' s available next time we head away definitely ask her if she's free.
MICHELLE (Christchurch South Island, Dec 2018 - 3 weeks)
Thanks Michelle, I loved spending time with Blue he was great company and loved a cuddle. Hopefully I can look after your home and him again soon.
Claire did a wonderful job looking after our house and animals. She regularly sent us updates on what was happening at home , including photos of a very contented cat and left the house looking immaculate. We have no hesitation recommending Claire to house sit and will hopefully use her again in the future should she be available.
VICTORIA (West Melton South Island, Dec 2018 - 2 weeks 2 days)
Thank you Victoria and Murray, I loved being in your home, it felt just like a holiday! I hope I can sit for your sheep, chooks and lovely Moe2 again soon.
My main concern always are my dogs and Claire took great care of them. Zeke is old so i worry about him but she gave him the attention he needed which was super. The house and plants were well looked after and i returned to my house in the condition i had left it, perhaps better. I have asked Claire to look after everything again for me but she is already booked but i will be chasing her to sit again. Highly recommend her.
SHARON (Hei Hei South Island, Nov 2018 - 1 week 4 days)
Thanks Sharon, I look forward to sitting for the boys in the future
Green garden!
Make sure the garden and pot plants are thriving when you get back - get a house sitter.
Single
It was an absolute pleasure to have Claire taking care of our house and cat while we were away for 2 months. Claire is a lovely, friendly person, and she was so easy to communicate with, right from the initial organisation, through to giving us occasional updates while we were away. It made our trip so much more relaxing knowing that everything was being taken care of at home. The house was looked after perfectly, and our cat and Claire seemed to get on very well! I know that Claire is in hot ... MORE
