Has anyone seen the latest update in NZ tourist visa rules that now allow for people to work remotely PROVIDED its not for a NZ person or business. That includes exchange of accommodation.They came into effect this month.
‘Remote work is an activity you do for gain or reward for a company, employer or client that is not in New Zealand. Gain or reward includes work done for payment, or for a benefit that can be valued in terms of money, for example accommodation, food, or services.’
The rule could be interpreted as influencers not being allowed complimentary stays in return for social media coverage.
It actually mentions:
'Remote work does not include any work you do:
- that is for a New Zealand employer
- with a New Zealand business or person in New Zealand in exchange for goods or services, for example free accommodation in exchange for a review
- that requires you to be in New Zealand.’
However, you could also interpret it as disallowing housesitting.
Wondering what others think.
These types of laws are usually aimed at getting telecommuters from other countries, because they’re earning and have money to spend. They also often are ineligible to use government health systems and other services funded by taxes. That makes them net revenue for an economy. But they’re not likely to allow pet or house sitting, because such work is usually seen as depriving a local person or business of making money. And that’s usually regardless of whether the sitter from abroad makes money and/or gets something else of value in trade, such as housing.
Some countries do have programs where you can do farm labor for limited time legally if you’re doing say Workaway. But that’s because there often aren’t enough people locally who can or will do such labor, especially at low cost.
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I’m a Kiwi but based in the UK so have both passports 
I think the intent of this new Remote Workers Visa is to allow, even encourage, digital nomads into New Zealand as the NZ Govt see this as a good thing. A boost to the economy.
The wording of the Remote Workers Visa does indeed exclude applicants getting a benefit (even non-monetary) such as unpaid accommodation. Therefore the new Remote Visitor Visa would not be valid for housesitters IMHO. My interpretation on the reasoning behind this restriction is that it is seen as not contributing to the economy.
Rubbish IMO as NZ has the same housing crisis/shortage and UK and elsewhere so where are the digital nomads going to live - not in hotels/motels.
Getting back to housesitters. Visas - is a grey area - and it seems the official response is that you need a visa (and don’t ask me which one as I’m no expert on Visas) HOWEVER I have heard people go just on a holiday/tourist visa if one is necessary depending on your country of origin, and housesit there without a work visa.
I am not condoning going against the rules, just saying that many have done it. The only way to be absolutely sure is to ask the NZ Embassy Visa Section for their input. In writing.
A thought (and I know this goes against every THS intention/rule) BUT if the housesitter (for example a digital nomad) rented the house for $1.00 then they would not be getting free accommodation! Job done. 
It should also be noted that New Zealanders now need a Visitors Visa for the UK. Would be interesting if the UK Visitor Visa excludes Kiwis from coming to the UK to housesit. I’ll open a new thread if I find anything useful to contribute, so keep this thread for housesitters going into New Zealand.
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Our PM passed the NZ budget this week & this digital nomad visa is one of the many irrelevant approaches to our slow economy. This was chosen over focusing on Treaty (the treaty of waitangi) & improving struggling communities etc.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360566289/kiwis-largely-united-wanting-see-te-tiriti-honoured-report-finds
Kiwis have had enough & heading over to Aussie for better pay/housing/weather (
).
Have a gander at the Reddit r/newzealand page as there are a number of discussions on this…
More and more countries have been kicking off digital nomad visas, making it easier for telecommuters to live and work abroad. The countries have to entice people, since there are a finite number of fully remote workers, if they want them adding to their economy.
Typically, there are red tape, time and costs involved in applying, so people probably would stay for a significant stretch, instead of hopping among countries quickly.
Of course, ultimately your employer (if you have one vs. working for yourself) decides where you can and can’t work, because there can be messy and expensive tax consequences with some countries. And some companies have security concerns. Like you can’t work in defense and randomly choose where to telecommute from.