Know the dates
School summer holidays start by 19 December 2026, and Term 1 of 2027 starts between 28 January and 3 February. Those are the weeks most families travel.
Book a pet sitter for Christmas in New Zealand
Your first booking
$63
3 visits
$1.89 back
Every booking after
$61.11
was $63 for 3 visits
9 bookings like this cost you $551.88 on Petme and $629.37 on typical platforms.
You pay $77.49 less with Petme
No owner feeID and background checked pet sitters
Example: 9 bookings of 3 visits at $63 each. Cashback up to $20 per booking. Typical platforms add an 11-15% fee for owners on every booking. This example uses 11%. Example close to what Petme sitters charge.
School summer holidays start by 19 December 2026. Book your sitter or kennel before the whole country does.
Mid-December through late January is the busiest pet-sitting window in New Zealand. Use Petme to lock in a verified sitter in your suburb for Christmas, New Year, and the summer holidays before the city books out.
0%
Service fee for pet owners
NZ$39,000+
maximum toward eligible vet costs
300K+
Members on Petme
4.9 / 5
Average sitter rating
Tips
Plan a smooth summer booking
Message sitters early
Use the in-app chat to talk to a few sitters about your dates, keys, feeding and vet contacts before you commit to one.
Check holiday pricing
Kennels price public holidays and the summer peak higher: one Central Otago kennel charges peak rates from 20 December to 10 January. Sitters show their own rate on their profile.
Protection Plan up to NZ$39,000+
The Protection Plan can contribute toward eligible vet costs at a registered New Zealand vet, subject to its terms.
By city
Where demand spikes hardest
Auckland . Home boarding NZ$40-55 a night locally.Wellington . Home boarding NZ$45-59 a night locally.Christchurch . Home boarding NZ$49-65 a night locally.Queenstown . House sitting NZ$45-80 a night locally.Tauranga . Home boarding NZ$45-53 a night locally.Dunedin . House sitting NZ$50-75 a night locally.
FAQ
Summer and Christmas pet sitting FAQ
When do New Zealand families need a pet sitter over Christmas?
Mostly across the school summer holidays, which start by 19 December 2026 and end when Term 1 of 2027 starts, between 28 January and 3 February. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January are public holidays inside that window, so it is the busiest stretch of the year.
How early should I book a Christmas pet sitter or kennel?
As early as you know your dates. The whole country is on holiday at once, so kennels and sitters fill for the same weeks. Message a few sitters now, agree the routine, and confirm the booking in the app once you have chosen one.
Do kennels charge more at Christmas?
Many do. One Central Otago kennel charges higher peak rates from 20 December to 10 January, and a Christchurch kennel adds NZ$10 per pet on each statutory holiday. Kennels also count both the drop-off and pick-up day, so check the total for your dates.
Is there a Christmas premium on sitter rates?
Sitters set their own rates on Petme, and the rate is shown on the profile before you book. Some charge more over Christmas and New Year, others do not, so compare a few profiles for your dates.
What about cats over summer?
Drop-in visits at home suit most cats over the holidays, because the cat stays in its own territory. Local sitters charged NZ$15-35 a visit in October 2026, against NZ$15-22 a day at the catteries we checked.
What if something goes wrong during the booking?
The Protection Plan can contribute up to NZ$39,000+ toward eligible vet costs. See the Protection Plan terms for what qualifies and how to submit a request. The in-app chat keeps a complete record of the stay.
Lock in your summer sitter
Find a sitter, message in chat, book inside the app. Cashback is credited automatically when the booking is done.
Find a sitter