Meet Jo
Outgoing, Creative, Adventurous
I'm lucky to live in such a beautiful environment which I enjoy sharing.
On a typical day...
I have a very open house. My house is your house.
When I host guests...
I can answer questions but let my guests do their own thing.
Family Hobbies
Tennis, Cycling, Cooking, Gardening, Camping
Hosting guests since
2012
Response Rate
100%
Response Time
Within a few hours
About the Homestay
- Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
I live on the lower slopes of the Cashmere Hills among the trees with a stunning view of the main divide. I am a part time teacher of neuro diverse adults and tutor refugee and migrant classes in cooking.
I enjoy gardening and have a bent towards organic vegetable growing, recycling and reusing = sustainability.
I have travelled NZ extensively and parts of Australia. In 2017 & 2024 I spent three months discovering Europe, Uk & North Wales. I have extensive knowledge of NZ particularly our beautiful South Island
My adult family are involved in music teaching, building, education, farming and parenting.
I have a young black Labrador, Gus who is playful and friendly. He will be caged if guests are not keen for his company. I am a hill walker, having done most of the trails on the Port Hills.
My home is on four levels with the guest ensuite room being on the main level. All levels have views over the city to the main mountain divide.......glorious in winter.
Guests are welcome to use my living spaces. The main lounge has a modern wood burner, stereo and piano. The dining living room has TV, Wifi access and comfortable seating leading to sunny deck for outdoor dining during the summer. Modern laundry facilities are available.
There is ample parking for vehicles. The Orbiter bus connection is handy as is the city bus and as I am less than 3kms from the city centre taxi fares are reasonable.
NB: It is possible to access my home with a wheelchair although there are five deep steps to the front door. The ensuite shower is 900 m2 and cosy. There is a larger wheelchair accessible toilet on the main floor.
My Pets
Dog
House Facilities
- Garden
- Laundry
- Barbecue
- Internet Access
- Smoke alarm
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
My home is located on the lower slopes of the Cashmere Hills.
Green and leafy it has great views of the city across the plain and to the hills beyond. My section is 1000 M2 with terraced gardens, large trees, developing fernery and native flora. I border a reserve making it rather like living in our own park. I am within 3kms of the city centre. There are city buses at the bottom of the hill and the Orbiter bus which travels a wide area of the city including the university is accessed through a lane from my lower gate.
Local Area Facilities
- Tennis
- Park
- Swimming
- Library
- Shopping Centre
- Restaurant
- Bus Stop
Meals
Hosts can offer a complimentary light breakfast at their discretion. All other meals, including a full breakfast, might incur an additional cost, if offered. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Complimentary Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
Available on request at an extra cost
- Half Board
Diet Type available on request
- Vegetarian
- Coeliac
- Lactose Intolerant
House Rules
Check out time is 10 am or by prior arrangement.
Breakfast is served 7am - 9 am. Earlier/ later if requested.
Please do not consume takeaway food in our bedrooms. You are welcome to use our dining area, cutlery and crockery.
Smoking Rules
Your host is a non-smoker.
Smoking is allowed outdoors only.
43 Reviews
April 2025
Very nice homestay with a very good host.Great location and all amenities close to the property. Surrounded by beautiful countryside close to the sea and mountains.
March 2025
Es war wunderschön in dem Haus von Jo. Sehr sauber, sehr ruhig, schöne Atmosphäre. Und Jo ist eine sehr tolle Gastgeberin. Gus ihr Hund, ein sehr freundlich und zugewandter Hund.
Es war sehr schönHost reply
Odilia, thank you for your lovely review and your invitation. You have super energy and easy friendships
I trust you and your daughter had a wonderful time in the North.
I also hope we may meet again when I next travel. Nga Mihi Jo
February 2025
Jo’s house is in an idyllic location just on the edge of the nature reserve. We really felt like we were staying in a treehouse. The bed was very comfortable, and the en-suite shower room lovely.
Jo is very welcoming as is her friendly black Labrador Gus.
We really appreciated Jo’s advice regarding excursions to take, restaurants to eat at. Her home-made muffins were delicious.
Thank you Jo for a great stay xJanuary 2025
Jo is the perfect hostess, making sure her guests comfortable, she provides excellent facilities and serves breakfast. The kitchen lounge are available for use during the stay. Jo's local knowledge is very helpful. Gus, the black labrador also welcomes all guests and is very entertaining.
December 2024
Jo was a wonderful host. Very attentive and helpful. The room and house were a paradise; tranquil and relaxing. Would recommend completely to all.
December 2023
Very good place to stay, it feels like at home
September 2023
The host cancelled the booking 3 days before the arrival date.
February 2023
Jo is a lovely person, with lot of advices to help you in your trip. Our room was perfect. And the breakfast delicious. A perfect place to discover Christchurch.
January 2020
Joe ist unglaublich bemüht und herzlich, das Baumhaus ist ein Traum, ebenso das liebevoll zubereitete Frühstück.
Unbedingt zu empfehlenDecember 2019
Jo was such a lovely, caring host who made us feel like at home from the moment we were warmly greeted by her when we arrived..We enjoyed her dinner and the breakfasts with her which she had prepared with great care and in a really stylish manner. The en suite bedroom and the new bathroom with perfect shower and extra heating were an additional bonus to our three night stay. Time with her in her lovely and comfortable house passed far too quickly and we had a very interesting and stimulating discussion with one of her other guests who had booked also a room with her. This is the kind of homestay which we can recommend without thinking twice.
How do I book?
Contact the host to check their availability and ask them any questions you have about staying with them. Once the host confirms they’re available for your dates, you can complete your booking.
When do I pay?
Once a host confirms they're available, you can go ahead and pay the 15% booking fee (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings) using a choice of payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal (not available in certain countries). You then pay your host on arrival or as stated by your host on their profile and agreed by you on booking. Please be cautious if a host requests advance payment if its not included on their profile. Our hosts have been advised that if they wish to request advance payment they must make this explicit in their profile. We do not recommend the use of Money gram or Western Union.
When can I share my contact details?
Host and Guest email address, phone number and home address will be exchanged in a confirmation email sent to both immediately after a booking is completed. It's against our policy for Guests and Hosts to exchange direct contact details via our messaging system.