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Janie & Brian

Caring Canadians in New Zealand

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Kiwi House Sitters, New Zealand. User Caring Canadians in New Zealand
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About us

groupCouple

67, Semi-retired Travel Writer

68, Retired Teacher

We are experienced pet-sitters and healthy, proud home-owners who will treat your pets and home with the same loving care that you do. Please see our glowing reviews!

favoriteWhy we love house sitting

We've cared for many different homes around the world, and house sitting in New Zealand makes us feel like we're lucky enough to be part of your wonderful country again!

We are a reliable, active, mature Canadian couple who love spending as much time as possible here in New Zealand! We have worked in a number of countries and cared for many different homes around the world throughout our careers, including one wonderful year on a teaching-exchange in Auckland in 2002 and 2003.

Now that we're retired, our travel adventures continue as experienced house and pet sitters and world explorers.

We look forward to hearing from you and caring for your home and ... Read moreWe are a reliable, active, mature Canadian couple who love spending as much time as possible here in New Zealand! We have worked in a number of countries and cared for many different homes around the world throughout our careers, including one wonderful year on a teaching-exchange in Auckland in 2002 and 2003.

Now that we're retired, our travel adventures continue as experienced house and pet sitters and world explorers.

We look forward to hearing from you and caring for your home and your pets!

Sincerely,
Janie & Brian

Further Reviews:

"We were extremely happy with Janie and Brian, house was immaculate and pets perfectly looked after."
Christine and Graeme
Mapua, New Zealand
Dec 6, 2025 to January 12, 2026 (Trusted Housesitter sit)

"Janie and Brian were amazing. They took immaculate care of both our condo in Bermuda and, even more importantly, our treasured dachshund 'Liesl'. Doesn't get any better and we highly recommend them to you!"
Kent & Ginnie
Bermuda (sit arranged privately)

"Janie and Brian were outstanding pet/house sitters. They cared for our girls (2 standard poodles) for 3 weeks at our cottage in September. The cottage is off the grid and on an island. This might be challenging for some however Janie and Brian were very resourceful and adapted to the conditions without any difficulties. The cottage and bunkie were spotless on our return --- better than we left it. Janie and Brian even cleaned up and made improvements to the hiking trail around the island. It was obvious our girls were happy and well cared for in our absence.
It was very easy to communicate with Janie and Brian in arranging the sit and also while we were gone. This gave us great confidence in their ability to cope with the off grid situation and also look after our girls.
We would not hesitate in recommending Janie and Brian and would love to have them sit for us again in the future."
Chris & John
Canada (Trusted Housesitter sit)

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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

Trust

Platinum member36 months+
reviews5 star reviews

Availability

eventNext 12 months

Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul

eventCurrent bookings

2026: 25 Nov - 6 Dec | 2027: 18 Feb - 12 Mar | 16 Apr - 4 Oct

event_busyAlso Unavailable

2026: 22 Apr - 1 Nov

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

0 - 1 week, 1 - 2 weeks, 2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

Anywhere in New Zealand

Reviews (15)

Brian and Janie - words cannot describe how fantastic you both are! Thank you so much for your love and care of our beloved schnauzer Ted and our home while we were away for 3 weeks! Communication was fantastic throughout the sit and we felt relaxed and able to enjoy ourselves not having to worry about our home and pet. We came back to an immaculate home and very happy dog. We have no hesitation recommending Brian and Janie. Amazing couple and we hope you’ll be back!!
Thank you for making us feel so welcome in your comfortable home! It was our pleasure to care for it your adorable Ted...please give him a hug from us!
I couldn’t have asked for better sitters. The animals and house and garden were beautifully looked after and they even did a number of fixes that I have been meaning to sort out. The house was spotless on my arrival. Very easy going, great communication and a delightful couple . I would have them back any time.
Thanks, Caroline and we'd love to come back...anytime!
1 of 3 reviews from this owner
Janie and Brian are just the best….. 4th time sitting for Pip says it all and we would have them back in a heartbeat. They clearly love Pip as much as we do and even brought her a toy from Canada. The house is always spotless when they leave, having taken care of the plants too…. You will not be disappointed if you have them to look after your pets or home.
And we would come back in a heartbeat for a 5th sit for Pip there in your gorgeous garden paradise!
We feel very fortunate to have had Janie and Brian house sit for us. They were especially considerate when our circumstances changed at the last minute due to a family bereavement, and really appreciated their flexibility with this. They were obviously great with our dog Lola, especially as they took the opportunity to explore the many local walking tracks with her ... she would have loved this! Our house was immaculate when we returned, their continued communication was great, and we are ... MoreWe feel very fortunate to have had Janie and Brian house sit for us. They were especially considerate when our circumstances changed at the last minute due to a family bereavement, and really appreciated their flexibility with this. They were obviously great with our dog Lola, especially as they took the opportunity to explore the many local walking tracks with her ... she would have loved this! Our house was immaculate when we returned, their continued communication was great, and we are also grateful for the airport drop-off and pick-up. We'd definitely welcome them back to housesit again. Lovely people. Thanks Janie and Brian.

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Happy we could help in any way during your sad family time. And Lola is so well trained and great company, we loved all our many local walks together! So nice to meet and spend time with you all and really hope we get to do again, soon!
Janie and Brian were an absolute joy to have sit for us. They are exceptionally kind and conscientious and took wonderful care of our dog, cat, and home. I recommend them highly and would gladly have them back any time!
Thanks for your kind words and glowing review.! It was a joy to sit for you and we miss being there with Woody and Squirrel already!
We feel so lucky to have found Janie & Brian. They were the perfect house and pet sitters. Communication was easy from the start & we instantly felt confident and comfortable with them staying in our home and caring for our two dogs. They went above and beyond caring for the dogs, especially our eldest one who has become very frail . Both dogs were so comfortable with them that I think they missed them when they left!! The house was spotless, clearly treated with the utmost respect as were the ... MoreWe feel so lucky to have found Janie & Brian. They were the perfect house and pet sitters. Communication was easy from the start & we instantly felt confident and comfortable with them staying in our home and caring for our two dogs. They went above and beyond caring for the dogs, especially our eldest one who has become very frail . Both dogs were so comfortable with them that I think they missed them when they left!! The house was spotless, clearly treated with the utmost respect as were the gardens and all the pots and plants well attended too. They were so kind and considerate and stayed on an extra day as are flights were delayed returning home. Would thoroughly recommend Janie and Brian to house sit and hope that they will pop back through and visit us anytime.

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Thanks so much for the kind review! We're definitely missing Aggie, Benson and that lovely home if yours and hope to pop back to see you all again, someday soon!
Janie and Brian were fantastic housesitters! They looked after our old cat so well, taking the time to get him used to them and treating him with such care and love. They left the house spotless and had great communication both before, during and after their stay. Janie and Brian were an absolute pleasure to talk with and to have stay, and we’d love to have them housesit again!
Thanks Briar, Pauline and Hendrix for a perfect housesit! We had a wonderful weekend at your lovely home hanging out with Hendrix...the perfect elderly gentleman! We'd come again, anytime!
2 of 3 reviews from this owner
Janie and Brian are just the perfect housesitters. They take great care of our border collie Pip. They are responsible and respectful. The house was immaculate on our return and we will welcome them back at any time.
Always our pleasure to be your housesitters and thanks so much for welcoming us back!
Janie and Brian were great sitters - ticked all the boxes😊 I came home to happy and relaxed cats and a lovely clean and tidy home. I fully recommend them AAA+
Thanks, Kathy...it was our pleasure to sit your lovely home and sweet kitties! Thanks again for choosing us for their care.
Janie and Brian were amazing house and dog sitters. They made the time to come and see us prior to the weekend and learn all about Vinnie needs. We felt very happy to know that he was in safe hands. They arrived early so that he was not left alone on our transition and they also waited for us to return. This helped to lessen his anxiety. Our house was immaculate on our return. We highly recommend them and look forward to asking them to dogsit again.
Our absolute pleasure...missing Vinnie already!
Brian and Janie were fabulous with Bella and left our house in perfect condition!
Our pleasure!
Janie and Brian had a lovely connection with my dog onyx. I was able to feel confident in leaving everything in their hands. Home garden and most importantly onyx, all well looked after. Hope you continue to have a wonderful trip. Thankyou
Thank you, Karen! We had a lovely time with your sweet girl and are missing Onyx and your lovely piece of paradise already!
Everything was just great; communication - for this they asked us what we liked. So, because we did not want too much, they still subtly kept us very informed. The house was left spotless. The bed was changed and remade, and they left us a note and reconfirmed everything. A lovely couple that are welcome in our home any time.
It was our pleasure to care for your lovely home and gorgeous gardens, with Tiger to keep us company. Thanks so much for your helpful orientation, great local travel tips and neighbourhood drive and sunset beach walk to show us around. Such a pleasure to meet you and it would be our pleasure to ... MoreIt was our pleasure to care for your lovely home and gorgeous gardens, with Tiger to keep us company. Thanks so much for your helpful orientation, great local travel tips and neighbourhood drive and sunset beach walk to show us around. Such a pleasure to meet you and it would be our pleasure to sit for you again, anytime!

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Brian and Janie were the perfect house sitters: great communicators and they cared for our cats and property very well - even cleaning up the garden after a big storm. Twice! Highly recommended.
3 of 3 reviews from this owner
Janie and Brian were the perfect Housesitters, they were very amenable and we all got on really well. We came back to our home just as we left it, but with a very happy dog. Communication was always quick and positive, nothing was too much trouble. What more could you ask for? We would highly recommend them to anyone looking to leave their home and animals in capable hands.
It was our pleasure and we can't thank you enough for everything!

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