On to a new housesit. This one is a lifestyle block in Huirangi in the Taranaki region. The property is located about 11kms inland from Waitara. The homeowners have taken off for a roadtrip up to the Bay of Islands for a couple weeks to visit family and pursue some outdoor hobbies. I’m here until February 13th and then it’s straight onto the next place.
It’s my first time on this particular place. The house is only a few years old and is really nice. This property is semi off-grid and self-sufficient with solar panels, lots of fruit trees, and a HUGE array of vegetables.
Critter-wise I have here nine head of drystock cattle, fourteen chookies, and three roosters.
Like my recent sit in Cambridge, I think my main priority here will be to police water usage to make sure there is plenty for the house, livestock, and vege garden without undue wasteage because it’s all rainwater, conditions are pretty dry, and we’re heading into the hottest part of summer. The tanks are about 3/4 full but it only takes one beefie to break a trough valve to make a serious dent in that water and at this time of the year that’s something you can ill afford to have happen.
I can also see some dodgy fencing around the house that I’ll need to sort out before Sunday or I’m liable to have beefies hooning around the vege garden. But all in all it should be a good stay.
Front Of The House
Front Of The House (Viewed From The West)
Looking Out On To The Sweet Corn From The Lounge
Some Of The Chookies
Mr Bully & Two Lady Friends
The Six Drystock Heifers
4 Comments
Dianne Frost
February 9 2025 at 8:43 PMWe’ve had issues with broken trough valves before. It’s quite scary how quickly the water can disappear. Good luck keeping everything running smoothly!
Cass
February 8 2025 at 12:24 PMI love reading about your sits! Do you have any tips for managing water conservation on rural properties? It’s something I’m always looking to improve on.
Craig MacThòmais
February 15 2025 at 8:23 AMThe key things are to make sure all the taps are turned off when they’re not in use (especially outside taps hooked up to garden hoses because those plastic connections can sometimes leak or blow apart), and to regularly check the water troughs for the livestock, to make sure none are overflowing. You can also save a surprising amount of water by doing your dishes in the sink instead of using a dishwasher, and by having quick showers, or maybe showering every second day instead of every day.
Gemma the Sitter
February 1 2025 at 2:15 PMThe semi off-grid setup sounds amazing! I’d love to experience a sit like that and learn more about self-sufficiency. Hope you have a great time!