groupHouse sitters

Hans & Gabi

Hans and Gabi

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Kiwi House Sitters, New Zealand. User Hans and Gabi

About us

groupCouple

78, Retired

68, Retired

Kia Ora,
We are Hans and Gabi, a retired couple from Napier, originally from The Netherlands and Germany.
We have had our own small farms for almost 35 years and have experience looking after animals.

favoriteWhy we love house sitting

House sitting gives us the opportunity to visit different places.
We miss having our own animals at the moment and where possible love the opportunity to look after other animals and make them feel comfortable whilst their owners are away.

We both have been in NZ for many years. Our home town is Napier.
Our work life was mostly in special education, a profession we found hugely rewarding.
Hans is a skilled handyman, Gabi is a keen gardener.
Since 1992 we have owned and developed lifestyle properties outside Napier. This is where we had our first dog, Zeta, a Bouvier de Flandres. On our small farms we also had cattle, sheep, a horse, chickens and cats.
When we started developing our next property, we decided to get a ... Read more
We both have been in NZ for many years. Our home town is Napier.
Our work life was mostly in special education, a profession we found hugely rewarding.
Hans is a skilled handyman, Gabi is a keen gardener.
Since 1992 we have owned and developed lifestyle properties outside Napier. This is where we had our first dog, Zeta, a Bouvier de Flandres. On our small farms we also had cattle, sheep, a horse, chickens and cats.
When we started developing our next property, we decided to get a companion dog for Zeta,. He was called Flynn, a poodle/terrier cross.
We love caring for domestic and farm animals and have experience in both.

We sold our beautiful property in January 2026 and are available for house sitting whilst we build a new home.
We are house-proud, non-smokers, tidy and reliable and will treat your property with the same care and respect as we treat ours. We had house sitters over the years ourselves and we know how important it is to be able to trust that your property and animals will be well-cared for during your absence.

We communicate well and will work with your guidelines and routines which the animals are used to, to ensure their wellbeing. Lots of cuddles included.
We can mow your lawn and keep your pots and gardens watered.

Show less

Pet care

Extensive experience running lifestyle properties. We had dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, a horse and a parrot as well as fish tanks. Many times pet sitting for friends and all over the North Island.

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 owned and developed lifestyle properties/small farms since 1992, involving work on fencing, water supplies, etc. and general farm and property maintenance.

Trust

reviews5 star reviews

Availability

eventNext 12 months

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

eventCurrent bookings

2026: 24 Jul - 20 Aug | 24 Aug - 27 Sep | 22-31 Oct | 3 Nov - 3 Dec | 7 Dec - 7 Jan 2027 | 2027: 9-21 Jan | 2 Feb - 12 Mar

event_busyAlso Unavailable

2026: 7-19 Oct

chairOn a house-sit right now

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

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

where_to_votePreferred locations

North Island: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, ManawatÅ«-Whanganui, Waikato, Wairarapa, Wellington  

travelTravel plans

2 weeks Australia in October 2026.


Reviews (6)

HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Hans' & Gabi!!! Absolutely amazing and lovely couple!! They treated and left my house better than I left it and looked after and loved my dog and cat as much as I do. They sent regular updates and photos while I was away for 3 weeks, and I had the best holiday knowing that everything was taken care of and under control back home (even during the recent cyclone). I have a large dog (American bulldog/cattle dog x) and am wary of who I leave him with due to ... MoreHIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Hans' & Gabi!!! Absolutely amazing and lovely couple!! They treated and left my house better than I left it and looked after and loved my dog and cat as much as I do. They sent regular updates and photos while I was away for 3 weeks, and I had the best holiday knowing that everything was taken care of and under control back home (even during the recent cyclone). I have a large dog (American bulldog/cattle dog x) and am wary of who I leave him with due to his size. I would have no hesitation in having Hans & Gabi house sit for me again, and will be keeping their contact details for my next holiday. Thank you both so much again x

Show less
Hans and Gabi were amazing housesitters. We came home to a lovely clean house, better than I left it. They had done things that we never asked for but really appreciated so we were pleasantly surprised. The dogs were very relaxed and happy. Thank you very much, highly recommended
Hans and Gabi were excellent house sitters. They sent us regular updates about our dog and looked after him and our house extremely well. The house and garden were immaculate when we returned. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone!
Clean & tidy. They had to leave earlier than dates of housesit but did let me know 5 days prior. Communication was delayed at times which caused a bit of stress.
Alison returned earlier as planned to avoid bad weather for the ferry crossing with her horses. We were happy to adjust and leave earlier to make her home available for her. We had one communication delay when we noticed a text message only after a couple of hours. We apologise for any stress this ... MoreAlison returned earlier as planned to avoid bad weather for the ferry crossing with her horses. We were happy to adjust and leave earlier to make her home available for her. We had one communication delay when we noticed a text message only after a couple of hours. We apologise for any stress this may have caused.

Show less
5 stars. For pet care,communication, House care , garden. Hans & Gabi are amazing. So friendly, trustworthy, and reliable. Loving our 3 doggies, like they were their own, not sure if they wanted to come to us or stay with Hans & Gabi. Looking after our farm animals, moving stock when grass was short. Filling toughs when needed. Brushing my horse and giving a carrot to him. Our house was so tidy and clean and lawns mowed. We would have them back in a heartbeat. And hope we have ... More5 stars. For pet care,communication, House care , garden. Hans & Gabi are amazing. So friendly, trustworthy, and reliable. Loving our 3 doggies, like they were their own, not sure if they wanted to come to us or stay with Hans & Gabi. Looking after our farm animals, moving stock when grass was short. Filling toughs when needed. Brushing my horse and giving a carrot to him. Our house was so tidy and clean and lawns mowed. We would have them back in a heartbeat. And hope we have made a friendship going forward. Thanks Hans & Gabi

Show less
Hans and Gabi were wonderful house sitters to our little lifestyle block. Our a bit anxious dog was very relaxed and happy and well cared for. So were the chickens and cows. Our house was meticulously clean , lawn mown , all plants in good health. They even put some garden harvest in the freezer . Communication was easy . Thank you so much! It was lovely to have you and that you made our place your home for 2 weeks. We would highly recommend Hans and Gabi for other house sits! Happy house ... MoreHans and Gabi were wonderful house sitters to our little lifestyle block. Our a bit anxious dog was very relaxed and happy and well cared for. So were the chickens and cows. Our house was meticulously clean , lawn mown , all plants in good health. They even put some garden harvest in the freezer . Communication was easy . Thank you so much! It was lovely to have you and that you made our place your home for 2 weeks. We would highly recommend Hans and Gabi for other house sits! Happy house sitting :-) Paul and Birgit

Show less
Free Pet Care

Happy pets!

A house sitter provides loving, full-time, home-based pet-care while you're away.