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Joan & Maria

Joan & Maria

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Aussie House Sitters, Australia. User Joan & Maria
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About us

groupCouple

30, Software engineer

30, Drama school teacher

We’re Joan and Maria from Barcelona, travelling New Zealand. We enjoy sharing daily life with pets, keeping routines, and being around. We work remotely and spend lots of time at home.

favoriteWhy we love house sitting

We love house sitting because it lets us share our travels with animals, offering them love and care while giving us a sense of home. It’s the perfect way to feel part of the community and enjoy the company of pets.

Our journey in New Zealand is about slow travel and truly experiencing local life. We’re travelling around the country in our campervan, enjoying the freedom to explore different regions while taking the time to settle into places and communities along the way.

Joan is a computer engineer who works remotely, which means he spends most of his time at home and can provide a consistent, calm presence. He’s also a big ocean lover and is hoping to learn how to surf while in New Zealand, so you’ll ... Read moreOur journey in New Zealand is about slow travel and truly experiencing local life. We’re travelling around the country in our campervan, enjoying the freedom to explore different regions while taking the time to settle into places and communities along the way.

Joan is a computer engineer who works remotely, which means he spends most of his time at home and can provide a consistent, calm presence. He’s also a big ocean lover and is hoping to learn how to surf while in New Zealand, so you’ll often find him near the coast when time allows. Maria is a drama school teacher with a big heart for people. She loves connecting with others, adapting to new environments, and creating a sense of warmth wherever she goes.

Together, we’re responsible, organised, and adaptable. House sitting fits our lifestyle perfectly, as it allows us to slow down, care for a home and pets as if they were our own, and contribute something meaningful while travelling. We take routines seriously, respect homes, and enjoy the companionship of animals as part of everyday life.

We’re excited to continue discovering New Zealand, meeting new people (and pets!), and creating positive, trustworthy house-sitting experiences along the way.

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Pet care

Since arriving in New Zealand in December, we have completed nearly 10 house sits across the country, caring for dogs, cats, chickens and horses. These experiences have helped us adapt quickly to different homes, routines and animal personalities. Joan grew up with dogs and is comfortable with both ... Read moreSince arriving in New Zealand in December, we have completed nearly 10 house sits across the country, caring for dogs, cats, chickens and horses. These experiences have helped us adapt quickly to different homes, routines and animal personalities. Joan grew up with dogs and is comfortable with both small and large breeds, while Maria brings a calm, warm and attentive approach. We are responsible, organised and observant, and we genuinely enjoy walks, feeding routines, cuddles, medication when needed, and keeping pets company at home. We care for every home and pet as if they were our own.

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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
NoneNone

Trust

demographyPolice check
diagnosisReferences

diagnosisAbout our references

We've been traveling around New Zealand for the last 9 months and we've done 12 house sits in ... Read moreWe've been traveling around New Zealand for the last 9 months and we've done 12 house sits in total, with different lengths and taking care of a lot of animals.

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Availability

eventNext 12 months

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

eventCurrent bookings

2026: 30 Sep - 8 Oct

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

0 - 1 week, 1 - 2 weeks

where_to_votePreferred locations

NSW: ALL   QLD: ALL   VIC: ALL  

travelTravel plans

We will arrive to Brisbane on September 13th, we'll be on our way to Sydney and Melbourne along the coast for 4 weeks, doing some stops to take care of animals and houses.

Reviews (10)

From Kiwi House Sitters
Mr Bean loves Maria and Joan and so do we! Our only sadness is that they do not live in Auckland and cannot be our 'go to' house sitters. Maria and Joan were meticulous in their care of our home. It was more clean when we came home than when we left, including all the linens washed! They were compassionate, kind and patient with our dog Mr Bean. They made sure to meet him before we left, and were confident to ask questions to ensure they understood his routine. They were amazing communicators, ... MoreMr Bean loves Maria and Joan and so do we! Our only sadness is that they do not live in Auckland and cannot be our 'go to' house sitters. Maria and Joan were meticulous in their care of our home. It was more clean when we came home than when we left, including all the linens washed! They were compassionate, kind and patient with our dog Mr Bean. They made sure to meet him before we left, and were confident to ask questions to ensure they understood his routine. They were amazing communicators, and sent us photos and updates each day. As this was the first time we've been away from Mr Bean, this put us at such ease knowing he was being loved and cared for. We highly recommend Maria and Joan to anyone. They are simply the best.

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Joan and Maria were one of our best housesitters yet! From our initial meeting they both put us at ease with their maturity and commonsense. We felt more than happy leaving our home and pets in their care. Super easy to communicate with. We appreciated the video updates of regular walks with Toby while we were away. And it was lovely arriving home to a cleaner house than when we left and our beds made with clean linen! We highly recommend Joan and Maria as trustworthy house sitters!
From Kiwi House Sitters
Maria and Joan have been the best pet/house sitters we have ever had. Our dog fell so in love with them that since their departure he checks their room every morning to see if they’re still there! They followed all our instructions and asked questions whenever necessary. We came home to a beautifully clean home with even the animal food containers all filled and everything prepped for us to have an easy return. If you have the opportunity to meet these two, there should be no hesitation ... MoreMaria and Joan have been the best pet/house sitters we have ever had. Our dog fell so in love with them that since their departure he checks their room every morning to see if they’re still there! They followed all our instructions and asked questions whenever necessary. We came home to a beautifully clean home with even the animal food containers all filled and everything prepped for us to have an easy return. If you have the opportunity to meet these two, there should be no hesitation in choosing them to look after your pets and home. ❤️

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Maria and Joan did an amazing job of taking care of our house and animals. They didnt hesitate in coming the afternoon before so I could show them around. Joan works remotely and Maria is the main carer of the property and animals. They hadnt ridden a quad towing a trailer before but didnt have any problem mastering this!! Their care of the animals were above and beyond with the goats escaping into the sheep paddock and one of the farm dogs having to go to the vets with an abscess above his ... MoreMaria and Joan did an amazing job of taking care of our house and animals. They didnt hesitate in coming the afternoon before so I could show them around. Joan works remotely and Maria is the main carer of the property and animals. They hadnt ridden a quad towing a trailer before but didnt have any problem mastering this!! Their care of the animals were above and beyond with the goats escaping into the sheep paddock and one of the farm dogs having to go to the vets with an abscess above his eye. The horses were taken care of with some being hard fed and others being fed hay every day. Communication was also great. Thank you both again for taking such great care of everything here. Kind regards LEANNE AND RUSSELL (Bruce, Maddy, Sausage Dog, Jug, Big Benny, 7 horses and 3 goats)

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Joan and Maria were a godsend and did such a lovely job of keeping my pets fed and exercised. When I arrived home my pets were so happy to see me but I could tell they had been well looked after and exercised (they slept so well that night). It was lovely to come home to a beautiful warm and clean and tidy house, with all the housework done, and they even cleaned and dried all the linen I had left for them to use while I was away. Well done in cleaning up the yard, after the dogs, a huge ... MoreJoan and Maria were a godsend and did such a lovely job of keeping my pets fed and exercised. When I arrived home my pets were so happy to see me but I could tell they had been well looked after and exercised (they slept so well that night). It was lovely to come home to a beautiful warm and clean and tidy house, with all the housework done, and they even cleaned and dried all the linen I had left for them to use while I was away. Well done in cleaning up the yard, after the dogs, a huge effort in itself whilst maintaining your work hours. Such a lovely, friendly energetic couple who I appreciate so much for your love and enthusiasm for my animals. I know Evie would have been quiet a handful at some times but you handled her well, I will be forever grateful. Good luck for the future

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Joan and Maria were great sitters. Joan came first and was so invested in getting everything right and making sure our dog Alfie was comfortable with him. Maria came a bit later and took over making sure Alfie was happy. The house was spotless when we got home and Joan had mowed the lawn which was great. Would have no hesitation in recommending this lovely young couple, Alfie was a very happy little dog and I think was torn between them and us when they left. We wish them both the very ... MoreJoan and Maria were great sitters. Joan came first and was so invested in getting everything right and making sure our dog Alfie was comfortable with him. Maria came a bit later and took over making sure Alfie was happy. The house was spotless when we got home and Joan had mowed the lawn which was great. Would have no hesitation in recommending this lovely young couple, Alfie was a very happy little dog and I think was torn between them and us when they left. We wish them both the very best for their travels around New Zealand.

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Joan and Maria were fabulous house sitters, and took great care of our two cats. They even befriended our shy scaredy cat! We arrived home to a beautifully clean and tidy home, and can’t thank them enough for sending us updates and keeping our minds at ease while we were away. We would 100% recommend them! Thank you so much Joan and Maria.
From Kiwi House Sitters
Thank you so much Joan and Maria for making it so easy for me to leave for my holiday knowing my pets and house were in good hands. They confirmed the sit well in advanced with great reliable communication. I could tell with the regular updates and videos that they were doing what I asked of them. They are a lovely couple and I strongly recommend them for being easy to communicate with and following thru with tasks. They showed a lot of love for my animals and on my return the house was ... MoreThank you so much Joan and Maria for making it so easy for me to leave for my holiday knowing my pets and house were in good hands. They confirmed the sit well in advanced with great reliable communication. I could tell with the regular updates and videos that they were doing what I asked of them. They are a lovely couple and I strongly recommend them for being easy to communicate with and following thru with tasks. They showed a lot of love for my animals and on my return the house was clean and tidy and washing on the line. Thank you so much Joan and Maria. I wish your well on your travels.Jenny

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From Kiwi House Sitters
Nice young couple visiting NZ and working remotely for NZ business. They took great care of my 2 boys, Monkey n Tonic. You will find them trustworthy, respectful and tidy. I wish them the best while traveling our country and having good housesitting animals to bond with.
From Kiwi House Sitters
Joan and Maria were amazing! Great communication from the start. They kept us up to date with photos and messages while we were away and we came home to a spotless house and very happy pets. We highly recommend them.
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