Kia ora all; We are seeking an individual or couple to take care of our simple house in the Northern Buller region of New Zealand's West Coast. Our dates are flexible but are approximately March through June 2024.
Duties are minimal. We want a presence as this is a reasonably remote property and having it occupied provides us peace of mind. A friend swings by periodically to take care of grass, weeds, and pest control. If a housesitter could tidy the old vegetable patch & help clear invasive weeds (wild ginger, banana passionfruit), we would be most grateful!
This would suit you if:
You are fine with simple living. The house has a new heat pump,refrigerator and laundry, and reliable high speed internet (Starlink - we use this for wifi calling). It has no mobile coverage or landline, and currently lacks a four burner cook top, modern oven, and dishwasher. We cook on a portable induction hob and can provide a counter top oven if needed. It is about 700 sq ft, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. The master bedroom has a new Ecosa Queen mattress and the second bedroom is unfurnished. Other firnishings are adequate but minimal. The mains power is dependable. Our water tank is fed by roof water, which we boil before drinking.
You are OK with peace and quiet: We're 30 minutes north of the nearest decent-size town (banks, groceries, restaurants, small movie theater) and 10 minutes from small communities with pubs. We are happy to go several days without seeing another soul!
You love the outdoors: The beach is just across the road, and often deserted except for the height of summer. We are at the doorstep of some of the best mountain biking and tramping in New Zealand. Fishing is a popular local past time. We often see Hector dolphins surfing the waves, and very occasionally spot a whale from our deck.
You are self-sufficient and have your own vehicle: Living in this area demands the ability to problem solve, plan ahead, and you need to have your own reliable transportation. Pest control is an important and ongoing issue in this area as we back on to thousands of acres of native bush. We set out traps with poison, and encourage all local pest control efforts. House sitters need to be mindful of issues such as not leaving food out, cleaning outside grills after cooking, etc.
Other things we are looking for: Non-smokers who are clean and tidy & have excellent references.
We pay for Starlink and cover the power bill to a reasonable amount. We are available to assist with trouble-shooting (e.g. if an electrical or plumbing issue arises). House sitters are not expected to pay out of pocket for anything other than their own food, supplies, rubbish disposal, greater than average power use, and transportation.
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions!