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I want to help
Thanks for taking steps to show manaaki (hospitality and care) and help our community this winter. There are lots of ways you can help, whether it's offering a room or supporting local groups. Read more here.
Quick links
Thinking of renting out a room?
With the 2025 snow season upon us, accommodation demand is extremely high. If you’re considering offering a spare room or place to live, we’ve pulled together some useful links below.
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Letting a room for a season brings many benefits:
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Make extra money - but set a fair rate.
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’Road-test’ having a housemate, establishing if this arrangement is right for your household longer term
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Expand your horizons - meet someone from a different culture, make friends and build new connections
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Support local businesses - its hard to find staff with secure housing
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Directly help those in need:
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Gives an out-of-town worker a home for the winter, eliminating accommodation worries
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Relieves the housing market of accommodation pressures
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There's a lot to think about before you offer a room or property. Here's some links and resources to help you decide what's best for you.
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Make sure you’re meeting your responsibilities as a landlord – including complying with the relevant legislation and setting a fair price. Tenancy Services provides advice on types of tenancies and guidance on short, fixed-term tenancy.
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Taking in a boarder is another option - the Citizens Advice Bureau has some useful information to consider if you’re thinking about taking in boarders.
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Get informed - the Citizens Advice Bureau and Community Networks/LINK (Upper Clutha) provides other helpful information for people entering into accommodation arrangements.
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Choose the right tenant for you - Trade Me has a great guide for interviewing potential boarders or flatmates.
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Make sure you have permission - if you’re a lead tenant of a rental property, make sure you have the permission of the owner.
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Consider tax implications – Inland Revenue has guidance for those who choose to rent a room in their main home.
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Consider implications on superannuation payments - if you receive superannuation, make sure you understand any implications renting or sharing your accommodation might have on your payments. You can read more here : Clients renting out accommodation - Map and here: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension rates (current) - Map
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Once you’ve decided what’s best for your situation, then you can:
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Talk with local property management specialists for personalised advice.
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Check out local social media groups (like on Facebook) for making connections directly with the community, as well as local publications for advertising rooms. Popular local Facebook pages include:
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How else can I help?
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Not everyone is in a position to help with accommodation. There are lots of other ways you can help:
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Donate new or second-hand goods to local charities.
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Support awesome local charities - for example Kiwi Harvest Queenstown is supporting over 760 people every week with food through our recipient charities across Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell, while also building food resilience. Find out more about supporting them here.
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Volunteer your time. Check out local opportunities through Volunteer South.
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Discover other groups to connect with and contribute to in our directory.
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