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Housesitting while enjoying the countryside in rural East Masterton, New Zealand

New Zealand
Last activity : 31 Jul 2025

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Jul 2025
Reply rate
92.2 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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43
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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: No minimum

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Description
House sitters are sometimes needed when we go on holiday.

If you are house sitting here and if you have a vehicle, this is a great base for you to explore from between pet sitting duties during the middle of the days. Our home is located just northeast of Masterton. ( Not in Carterton as it says incorrectly on the workaway map). Nearby towns include Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Martinborough and the coastal areas of Castlepoint, Riversdale and south...Ngawi, Cape Palliser, Tora and also the many awesome mountain tramps of Mount Holdsworth- The Tararua Ranges near Masterton.

The good news is that this place is very peaceful. The bad news is, there is no one to practice English conversation with except the dogs and cat.

We live in a large spacious luxurious and modern home surrounded by countryside and views of the mountains and river.
It helps if you have horse experience/knowledge but that is not always essential. You must love cat and dogs.

At our home you will have a really nice double bedroom with a large double bed, your own private bathroom, with so much comfort and beautiful views of the mountains from every window.
When we are not here, we make sure there is lots of food available for you in the house. The exchange is your help, for food and accommodation.

Big modern home, lots of room. We are tidy, organized and busy. Rural life but close to the town of Masterton. Our nearest city is the very cool Wellington. We are about 12kms to Masterton. You can bike or drive if you have a car.
We have bikes you can use and a large in-ground swimming pool. Nice quiet roads to run or walk on. We live near a river. We have Wi-Fi. A large parking area and generally a lot of space to share.
The scenery is spectacular! 360' views.
Please note, we are NOT a 'working farm', so if you are looking for agricultural experiences with sheep and cows and tractors etc. , farming life......we dont have that here. Yes we do live in the countryside. Yes we have pets.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Help around the house
House sitting
Interests
Pets
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Music
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Gardening
Writing
Drawing & painting
Animals
Nature
Fitness
Winter sports
Sailing / Boating
Beach
Outdoor activities
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are happy to share our home as a base for you to explore from. We are happy to recommend things to do on your time off. The work is just first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening so that gives you all day to explore our NZ culture outside of that time.
Help
Sometimes we are looking for house and pet sitters.
House sitting. Feeding pets and walking dogs in the mornings and the evenings.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
The guest room is peaceful, sunny, luxurious with your own private bathroom and amazing views from every window. It is in the house but on the other side away from the family so you have comfort AND privacy.
We provide all the food you need while you are here.
The house is modern, spacious and beautiful viewing over the whole countryside and hills. The river is very close and our own we have our own pool for swimming too.
What else ...
Our area is popular for mountain walks, camping, swing bridge, beaches, lighthouses, vineyards and wine festivals (very good wines) and farming. There’s wine tasting, skydiving, horse riding, quad biking, claybird shooting, yoga, pilates, fishing, surfing.
(To get to the mountain walks and vineyards and beaches, you will need to drive a car, the bus does not go to the beach or mountains).

The town has a great park nice for picnics, with a lake and easy walks. There’s a pool, library, post office, cinemas, museum/gallery, info center, supermarkets, cafes, shops.... everything you need in a town. Population approx. 20,000.

There are four busy towns close to us and Masterton is our nearest (9kms), the capital city Wellington is just 90mins drive away. Or there is a train to Wellington from Masterton.
The beaches are 45minute drive from our house (if you have a car). There is no bus to the beach.

Lovely river to swim in nearby our house in the warm weather.

From September to May we have nice weather. (17-36') lots of festivals and outdoor lifestyle events are held in the wellington and Wairarapa area. Quiet time is from June to August inclusive, it is winter (4' -15' ) and can be wet and cold. It is very quiet then.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Lots of parking on solid ground.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Sweepy
2 Yr old. Black and White. Inside and outside life.
Boz
12 year old. Retired farm dog. Huntaway. Large. Outdoor dog.
Minnie
Long hair Jack Russell. 8 years old. House pet
Chester
30 year old. Retired hunter. 16.3hh
Encore
Sport horse- Station bred . Eventer and Hunter. 17hh

Host ref number: 728562838134

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Feedback (17)

18 May 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)

Sarah was an absolute joy to have around. She is an excellent workaway guest. She was extremely helpful in every way and did a brilliant job of taking care of the place, the animals and our home. She was also really great company and lovely to talk with. Thank you, Sarah, for all your help and your company. Sorry this is late Sarah!

(Excellent )

30 Jan 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Frida Hannah)

Frida is such a lovely person and a wonderful workaway guest. Frida fit into life here in our home seamlessly. She is very conscientious, kind and considerate, She followed instructions really well, was generous with her time and was very thorough with her tasks. Doing a brilliant job each time. We found her easy to live with, a good… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jan 2025

Left by Workawayer (Frida Hannah) for host

This was my very first Workaway experience and it was way more than I could have ever asked for!
The whole family was extremely welcoming and I felt right at home from the very beginning. The house and the surroundings are incredibly beautiful.
Because I came without a car Aoife offered to take me to Masterton and even to Castlepoint (a stunning… read more

(Excellent )

26 Dec 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie)

Sophie was a wonderful help. She took great care of my animals and garden while we were away. She did an amazing job. I would highly recommend Sophie on workaway.

(Excellent )

View all 17 feedbacks

Photos

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$The image depicts a horse\'s head protruding from a barn doorway, with a white wall and wooden door visible in the background.$

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

18 May 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)

(Excellent)

30 Jan 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Frida Hannah)

(Excellent)

28 Jan 2025

Left by Workawayer (Frida Hannah) for host

(Excellent)

26 Dec 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie)

Sophie was a wonderful help. She took great care of my animals and garden while we were away. She did an amazing job. I would highly recommend Sophie on workaway.

(Excellent)

6 Oct 2024

Left by Workawayer (Nadja) for host

I had just the best time at Masterton with this beautiful family. I took care of the animals for a week while the family went on a holiday, but got to spend a few days with the family as well, which was lovely! Taking care of the animals was really great, it was awesome to get to go on long walks with the dogs in gorgeous surroundings. I… read more

(Excellent)

6 Oct 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Nadja)

Nadja is such a vibrant and positive person. It was lovely to have her help and her fabulous company. While we were away Nadja took care of all the animals and the house and did some gardening and housework too. She is mature, cheerful, responsible, has a positive and driven attitude, independent, tidy, considerate, and cheerful. And lots more! We… read more

(Excellent)

31 Aug 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)

Maria is an excellent guest to host. We highly recommend her if you need help. She used her initiative, offered help over and above what we asked, made sure she was always around when needed especially at busy times, and was really great at all the stuff we needed her to do. She obviously really loves animals and so is especially good if you need… read more

(Excellent)

27 Aug 2024

Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host

Aoife and the whole family were so wonderful to spend time with. The location could not be better either- the home and property are beautiful and the views are spectacular: rolling hills with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Doing yard work is easy in that kind of setting. Most of all, the animals are an utter joy to spend time with. I loved… read more

(Excellent)

30 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer (Argelia) for host

This home was my very first experience as a workawayer and I just couldn't ask for anything else, lovely lovely family, welcoming and caring, they open their home for me even when I still couldn't provide other feedback from other hosts and still decided to give me a chance.

All of their pets are SO lovely, all with their individual and unique… read more

(Excellent)

25 Jun 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Argelia)

We were extremely fortunate to have Argelia's excellent help as a house and pet sitter. While we were away over a 2-week period Argelia fed and cared for; the horses, goat kid (bottle 3 times a day), rabbit, dogs and cat. She walked the dogs. She maintained a very very clean and tidy house and made sure the fire was lighting and the house was… read more

(Excellent)

6 Jun 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Kate)

Kate house sat, fed my pets and walked the dogs while I was away for 4 weeks. She also needed to keep the fire going, keep the house clean and warm and do some chores around the place like collecting horse manure daily, filling water troughs, doing laundry and weeding. She took care of a goat kid (on the bottle) three lambs, two horses, a rabbit a… read more

(Excellent)

12 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Judita) for host

Amazing host! I Enjoyed my time here and wish wish to come back again to this lovely and friendly family and their pets. They all welcomed me openly and it was very easy to get along with with dogs and cat. I really appreciate their understanding and compassion for me.

(Excellent)

11 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Judita)

Judita did some house and pet sitting for us for 3 days. She is a genuinely lovely young lady. I felt very happy to leave her to take care of pets and things at home. She is cheerful, friendly, helpful, enthusiastic easy to communicate with (has excellent English) and is tidy and conscientious. The animals and home were all very well taken care of… read more

(Excellent)

5 Jan 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Evie & Scott)

Evie and Scott are a lovely young couple. They came to house sit for us during Christmas. While we were away they took care of our pets, did some weeding and generally took care of the place. Communication with them was very easy. They left their accommodation, the BBQ and the house really clean and tidy. We didnt spend time with them obviously… read more

(Excellent)

6 Nov 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)

Julie is definitely an excellent workaway guest. She is easy to live with, great company, a very hard worker, has lots of energy and a good positive attitude. We really enjoyed having her company and her help. She did all tasks with enthusiasm, and nothing was a problem. She did a few different types of tasks pretty much all outdoors, but I think… read more

(Excellent)

27 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Lea)

Lea was an excellent workaway guest. She uses her initiative and likes to keep busy. So she is a good worker. This was wonderful for me because I was so distracted by a project I was doing, that I didnt give her a lot of guidance. She is good company, easy to talk to, very clean and tidy and a very big help. She is mature for her age and can be… read more

(Excellent)

26 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer (Lea) for host

I had a great time with this family and I’d definitely recommend staying with them!
I felt very welcome and we all got along well. There was always something to do around the house or with the kids/ pets but I never felt overwhelmed and had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beautiful nature or have a stroll through Masterton. The room is very… read more

(Excellent)

11 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Tom & Hannah)

Hannah and Tom are excellent helpers. You are privileged if you manage to have them as your guests. They are proactive, use their initiative, take instruction very well, do what is needed and more. They are lovely company too. They are clean and tidy and easy to have around. The children and the animals enjoyed having them here, we all did. When… read more

(Excellent)

18 Jan 2023

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host

The best experiences are often impossible to express in writing, but in this case I will try. I loved living with the place. I loved the work they gave me and their clear communication about what was expected. I loved the way they incorporated me into the family. This was especially noticeable in the children. They are all exceptional humans and,… read more

(Excellent)

18 Jan 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo is an academic, yes, but he is also a worker in other ways too! Hugo tackled every task given to him with great gusto. the jobs were mostly outdoor work around the property, but lots of help in the house and with the children was part of it too. He enjoys being busy and productive and follows instruction/direction well. He easily fit in with… read more

(Excellent)

16 Nov 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Arnaud)

Arnaud is an excellent person to host. He took care of our home and pets when we were on holiday for 4 weeks. He helped inside the house and outside, he did lots of gardening, he worked on the farm with my husband on the weekends and also at our friends' farm for docking time with the sheep and lambs. The kids loved him. He is tidy and good at… read more

(Excellent)

26 Sep 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Lynne)

Lynne is an excellent workawayer. I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough work for her but she is the great kind of helper who keeps busy and uses her time very efficiently. She uses her initiative and common sense, works hard, is cheerful, easy to live with, good company, fits in well with any routine, doesn’t worry about what kind of work is asked… read more

(Excellent)

26 Sep 2020

Left by Workawayer (Lynne) for host

If you want to help out a lovely family in the most relaxing and beautiful surroundings of the New Zealand countryside this is definitely the place. Aoife, Lyndon, Ruby, Lilia and Charlie are the best. They are working, kind, good company with the children being extremely well behaved and fun to be around. I was only there for a couple of weeks… read more

(Excellent)

14 Mar 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Tessa)

Tessa is a great help. Get her if you can. She is cheerful and very easy to communicate with. Highly recommend.

(Excellent)

14 Mar 2020

Left by Workawayer (Tessa) for host

I had such a lovely time with this family. Aoife, Lyndon and the kids are really friendly and do make you feel at home. I loved the baking, the Sunday pancakes and just hanging around with the kids. The room you stay in is really beautiful. This place is also great if you don’t have your own transportation. They have a bike you can borrow. A great… read more

(Excellent)

1 Feb 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Maëva)

Maeva is an excellent helper. She uses her initiative, is pro active, independent, cheerful, always ready to assist, always looking for what needs to be done next, very clean and tidy and easy to live with. Her English is good. If you can have her help, you will be very fortunate. She did lots at our house from animal care to childcare to house… read more

(Excellent)

19 Nov 2019

Left by Workawayer (Justus) for host

What a wonderful family! I had a amazing week with those guys🙌 They live surrounded from nature at a very peaceful place in a beautiful home. I helped one week in the garden and played with the kids what was a lot of fun!. Keep it real guys and thank you again for this experience!

(Excellent)

30 Oct 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Kristina)

Kristina is lovely, helpful, calm and patient. We highly recommend. Thank you so much Kristina x.

(Excellent)

18 Oct 2019

Left by Workawayer (Kristina) for host

I stayed with Aoife and her family for about a week and a half, and it was a great experience! Aoife and her husband Lyndon are wonderful people, super kind, and hard workers. I had a great time hanging out with the kids, going to the beach with them, and watching after the animals a bit. The children are very well behaved, and truly enjoy each… read more

(Excellent)

4 Jun 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Katja)

Katja and Felix are excellent workawayers. They worked hard, were excellent company, very good sense of humour, very fun and naturally good around the children, very tidy and organised, excellent communicators, not clock watchers, animal lovers. Easy to live with, easy to please and respectful. They both did a bit of everything, housework,… read more

(Excellent)

30 Apr 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jordan )

Jordan is a fantastic helper to host. If you have the opportunity to host her, then consider yourself very lucky. She is all round awesome. Thanks so much Jordan. Go raibh mile mile maith agat. Go n'eiridh an bother leat.

(Excellent)

23 Jan 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Larissa )

Thanks Larissa for all of your help. Larissa did lots of laundry, lots of childcare, pet care and general help with our daily lives with family and housework. It was great to have her here for Christmas, new year and summer holidays. She is easy to live with, friendly, easy to talk to and tidy and patient. The children loved having her here too.… read more

(Excellent)

9 Jan 2019

Left by Workawayer (Larissa ) for host

I stayed with Aoife, Lyndon and the kids for four weeks during their Christmas holidays. From the very beginning I felt included and welcome in the family, the kids were so polite and accepted me as their new ‚helper‘ right away. Ruby and Lelia are already really mature and help you whenever you don’t know where to find something or how the rules… read more

(Excellent)

28 May 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Amy)

Amy was a good help to us. She helped with the kids puppy and light housework. Thanks heaps Amy.

(Good)

3 May 2018

Left by Workawayer (Amy) for host

Aoife and her family helped to make my first Workaway experience truly incredible. From inviting me into their beautiful home in the stunning Wairarapa, I got to experience what life is like on a family lifestyle block, helping around the house, with the animals and spending time with three wonderful young people during the school holidays who I… read more

(Excellent)

6 Mar 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sina)

Sina is a really lovely person to host, I highly recommend her. Thanks Sina we will miss you. Have fun.

(Very good)

20 Jun 2017

Left by Workawayer (NadineundKathi) for host

I stayed with this wonderful family for 10 weeks. Aoife is a great host. She never asks you to do hard work, just a helping hand around the house and with the kids. She is a fantastic chef! You will never get such yummi and healthy food again, I promise! Aoife got a real friend, she always understands your feelings and is very sensitive and… read more

(Excellent)

13 Jun 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Valerie)

If it was possible to use up all my thankyous, I used them all on Valerie! She used her initiative, helped in every way she could, whenever necessary, always diligent and thinking ahead. She was very supportive of a busy mum and family life. Valerie is a genuinely good soul and easy to live with and always ready with a smile and laugh. We will… read more

(Excellent)

11 Jun 2017

Left by Workawayer (Valerie) for host

This was my first work away experience and it really set the bar high! Aoife and her family are amazing and very welcoming. It didn't felt like work at all, just like a friend visiting and helping around a bit. The kids are great and easygoing, the house is beautiful and very quite. Close to so many towns that you'll never get bored and you have… read more

(Excellent)

30 Apr 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Jana)

Thanks so much Jana. It was very good to have your company and your help. It's great that you are so interested in Everything and so confident and positive about learning all about life in nz and meeting new people. You have a great attitude. Have wonderful adventures. See you again.

(Excellent)

28 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Jana) for host

Aoife is a wonderful person and was always in good mood for a talk about everything :) I really enjoyed the Company of her family and can recommend a stay! She is also a really good chef and know I even now which book I really have to buy for a good dinner :)
Ruby, Lilia and Charlie are really intelligent and good behaving children!
Thank you… read more

(Excellent)

4 Apr 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Georgia)

Georgia was an excellent help. We don't ask people to do heavy work so we appreciate having someone who can just fall into our routine and use their initiative, to help with the little things that really keeps a parent happy! Georgia did this very well. Easy to live with and good cheerful company, a tidy person and always eager to help out… read more

(Excellent)

4 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Georgia) for host

I had a wonderful experience working with Aoife and her beautiful family. Easy to communicate with and plan prior to joining them and as soon as we met I was made to feel welcome. Aoife was very caring and understood my travelling needs so gave me plenty of time to do my own thing and explore the wairarapa, which was perfect for me.
The three… read more

(Excellent)

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Housesitting while enjoying the countryside in rural East Masterton, New Zealand

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UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

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Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

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How many Workawayers can stay?

My animals / pets

Feedback (17)

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