Holiday Homes in New Zealand

Holiday homes are whole houses to yourselves: the family place by the beach or lake, the townhouse in the city, the house with the big lawn out the back.

What to expect. Three or four bedrooms at most of them, a full kitchen with a dishwasher, a deck with a table and a barbecue, and very often a spa pool. Many have fenced yards and off-street parking for more than one car, and some have room for a boat or trailer. Nearly every one has free Wi-Fi. Most hosts ask for a stay of two nights or more.

Who they suit. Families and groups of friends. Most sleep six to eight, and several sleep ten or more. About one in five takes pets.

Where ours are. Auckland and Orewa, Christchurch, the Coromandel at Whangamatā, Whanganui, Nelson and Richmond, Kerikeri, Invercargill, Kaiteriteri, Waihi Beach and Tanners Point, Tutukaka, Kuratau on the western shore of Lake Taupō, Marlborough at Picton, Waikawa and Blenheim, Wānaka and Queenstown, and Porirua, Tītahi Bay and Martinborough around Wellington.