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Zara & Alex

Zara and Alex Taulelei

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Kiwi House Sitters, New Zealand. User Zara and Alex Taulelei
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About us

groupCouple

42, Ancestral Medicine Practitioner & Coach

61, Romiromi & Maori Healing Practitioner

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favoriteWhy we love house sitting

The beautiful adversity of experiencing different homes and the company of animals.

We feel fortunate to have seen so many parts of Aotearoa through house sitting — and still carry a sense of home with us through our travels.

Dear Home and Land Owners,

We are a mature, grounded, and experienced married couple — Alex, a Samoan Kiwi, and Zara, originally from Germany.

We are well-travelled and have cared for homes, airbnb's, land, and animals in Aotearoa, Australia, and South America, with references available. We both absolutely love animals and the outdoors and have had dogs and cats of our own in the past.

Alex has a background in anthropology (VIC Uni) and is passionate about applied approaches that ... Read moreDear Home and Land Owners,

We are a mature, grounded, and experienced married couple — Alex, a Samoan Kiwi, and Zara, originally from Germany.

We are well-travelled and have cared for homes, airbnb's, land, and animals in Aotearoa, Australia, and South America, with references available. We both absolutely love animals and the outdoors and have had dogs and cats of our own in the past.

Alex has a background in anthropology (VIC Uni) and is passionate about applied approaches that integrate Indigenous wisdom with modern practices.

He is also a gifted Romiromi & Maori Healing practitioner, drawing on his cultural lineage and training to support deep healing through bodywork.

Zara, a former filmmaker from Berlin, now also works in the healing arts — mainly online — as an ancestral medicine practitioner and healing coach, so a stable internet connection and office area are important. She also has a background in Ayurveda.

Both of us are trained Mahi Wairua practitioners and have a deep commitment to spiritual and emotional wellbeing. We don’t drink or smoke, and we naturally care for our living environment, keeping spaces clean, calm, and well looked after.

When not travelling or caring for someone’s home and animals, we are based in the beautiful Far North, where we spend time with whānau and often roam through the bush.

We’d love to connect and are happy to provide further references or details as needed.

Warm regards,

Alex & Zara

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Pet care

petsWilling to care for these pets

DogsDogs
CatsCats
FishFish
BirdsBirds
Rabbits/Guinea PigsRabbits/Guinea Pigs
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese
Farm AnimalsFarm Animals
HorsesHorses
ReptilesReptiles

agricultureFarm experience

We have worked on a number of farms throughout NZ.
We are comfortable looking after cattle, sheep, horses etc.

Alex is a qualified fitter machinists in power and water and worked as a mechanical design officer for remote aboriginal communities.

Trust

Platinum member36 months+
reviews5 star reviews
diagnosisReferences

Availability

eventNext 12 months

Aug
Sep
Oct
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Feb
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eventCurrent bookings

2026: 20 Aug - 17 Sep

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

Anywhere in New Zealand

Reviews (18)

Zara and Alex are extraordinary! They loved our dogs, they loved our home. Our fur babies were walked every day, and the house was absolutely immaculate when we came home. We couldn't have asked for kinder, more respectful souls to look after things while we were away. Thank you both so much!
Kat's and Andy's house is beautiful with stunning views. Their two dogs Fez and Subi took our hearts in a second. They are super loving and we really miss them! We had the most amazing time, enjoying summer on the terrace and the peaceful garden, daily walks by the ocean, going to the nearby cafe ... MoreKat's and Andy's house is beautiful with stunning views. Their two dogs Fez and Subi took our hearts in a second. They are super loving and we really miss them! We had the most amazing time, enjoying summer on the terrace and the peaceful garden, daily walks by the ocean, going to the nearby cafe and cuddling the dogs. Muriwai is a wonderful place and Kat and Andy are warm and generous people. We hope to come back!

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Having been able to meet Zara and Alex a few days prior to them house sitting, we were able to go away with full confidence that our house and cat would be well cared for. And they certainly were😀 Good communication during our trip away with photos showing a very contented cat. I would certainly recommend them to anyone and everyone else.
Zara and Alex looked after Smudge and my house in Martinborough for 6 weeks. They’re lovely people and looked after the house and dog very well, making my first experience with kiwi house sitters a breeze. They were more than happy to help out with the lawns and any other jobs which popped up while i was away. Highly recommend!
Zara & Alex did a wonderful job looking after our house, land and animals. They dealt with any issues that arose while we were away effectively and with little fuss. They are both lovely people and it was a pleasure to meet them, get to know them and have them here.
Zara and Alex took great care of Dixie, our dog, and our home. They made the whole process easy and were flexible. We have no hesitation in recommending Zara and Alex to others.
Zara and Alex were here for a month looking after our dog Millie. They have been absolutely wonderful, our neighbours report lots of daily walks, and quiet sitters. They have left everything absolutely immaculate allowing us to return with no jobs waiting to be done! Couldn’t have asked for more 🥰
Thank you very much Zara & Alex for taking great care of our animals. Phoebe & Carlos both seamed really healthy, calm and relaxed when we arrived home - they clearly have had a holiday and it was almost like they hadn't missed us! The house was clean & tidy and the lawns had been mowed, which was very lovely to return to. We even got a couple of updates and photos while we were away, which was very much appreciated.
Very happy how Zara and Alex looked after our house and animals. We felt that everything was in good hands and when we got back animals looked healty and happy, the house as we left it and the garden looked very tidy. It was a nice coming home. I can highly recommend them!
Zara and Alex were fantastic. We came home to relaxed and happy dogs. The place was immaculate when we returned. Would have them back any time. Bug big thank you guys.
Alex and Zara were wonderful housesitters. We returned from 3 months away to extremely happy dogs, immaculate house and grounds we have barely had to touch since we returned. They were also very good communicators sending regular updates and photos of our two hounds and the various jobs they had done around the property. We’re already discussing a repeat performance for next year and would have no hesitation in recommending them to any one who wants their pets and house well looked after.
We were very happy with Alex and Zara’s care of our home, animals and our many indoor plants. We thank you for that with sincerity. It is a big responsibility and we could not have done our trip without your tremendous support. Communication was as we wished - not in contact unnecessarily but as and when required. Cats happy and well on our return. Our home was clean, tidy and respected - pretty much exactly as we left it. Efforts to keep on top of the substantial vegetation growth with non ... MoreWe were very happy with Alex and Zara’s care of our home, animals and our many indoor plants. We thank you for that with sincerity. It is a big responsibility and we could not have done our trip without your tremendous support. Communication was as we wished - not in contact unnecessarily but as and when required. Cats happy and well on our return. Our home was clean, tidy and respected - pretty much exactly as we left it. Efforts to keep on top of the substantial vegetation growth with non toxic weed control is appreciated and acknowledged, however the wet warm summer turned the garden into a jungle. Bernie and I would highly recommend Alex and Zara to anyone needing care of a lifestyle block sit.

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We cannot be more grateful and privileged to have found such amazing house sitters as Zara and Alex. We have a small lifestyle block and numerous animals, Donkeys especially needing special attention and care. We had our very first fully un-stressed break because they had it all under control. House was immaculate when we returned and we will have them back anytime, even for just a visit!
Thank you Robyn for your kind words. We love to return, take care!
10/10 Zara and Alex were incredible housesitters; super flexible and communicative! They are both very down to earth and friendly people who I would happily welcome back anytime. Thank you two for taking such good care of my home and chickens :)
Zara and Alex were wonderful people and took excellent care of our dog and chickens, as well as our house and property. Alex went the extra mile cutting up two very large trees that fell over during a storm. He even planted some veggies in the garden. Our house was very clean and well taken care of when we returned after 3 months. Zara really bonded with my dog and was very communicative, sending me regular updates by text. We would definitely have them both back again.
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We highly recommend Zara and Alex , we were privileged to have them house sit for us for 3 weeks. Very happy animals on our return they did not even seem to have missed us.
I thoroughly recommend Zara and Alex to look after your house. We had complete confidence in them caring for our house and most importantly our pets. Zara and Alex are lovely kind people and I hope they can stay here again, we can't thank them enough.
Alex and Zara were a delight. They took great care of the house and the cat. They initiated a task around the house that required a fine standard of craftsmanship. Excellent communications. I would not hesitate to recommend them or to invite them back again.
Couldn't have asked for better house sitters. Zara and Alex are a wonderful couple...so easy to deal with. We have had them sit for us twice now and our animals seem disappointed when we return! They are just brilliant with them. Highly recommend. Thank you guys.
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