---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "Love Home Swap — I Love It!"
description: "Travel journalist Justine Tyerman joined Love Home Swap in 2013 and Dave and Emma’s house is one of many private homes she's stayed at around the world."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/new-zealand/love-home-swap-at-the-tv-star-set"
language: en
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 2
tags: ["Country House", "Rural", "New Zealand"]
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generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T13:16:05+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: love-home-swap-at-the-tv-star-set.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj"
    last_modified: 2017-01-26
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:16:05+00:00
---

# Love Home Swap — I Love It!

> Love Home Swap is a points-based home exchange service that lets members stay in private homes around the world at no direct cost, trading stays for points redeemable anywhere and anytime. The author recounts a five-night stay at a member's home in New Zealand, highlighting the friendships and local insider knowledge that come with the experience.

## What to see
- **Waitakere Ranges** — Visible from the deck of the home where the author stayed.
- **800 Words TV series filming location** — The street was used as a film set for the TVNZ1 Sunday evening series, with the entire street taken over by production trucks and crew.

## What to do
- **Surfing at Piha** — Host Dave is a former Piha lifeguard; the area is noted as a surfing destination.
- **Home exchange via Love Home Swap** — Members earn and spend points for stays worldwide; simultaneous swaps are optional but not required.

## Good to know
Stays are managed through a points currency rather than direct simultaneous swaps, giving members flexibility on timing. Five nights earned the hosts 750 points redeemable at any member property worldwide.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/anawhata-beach.jpg"
    caption: "Dave and Emma's Love Home Swap house. Picture © by Emma Shand"
    keywords: ["Dave and Emma's house", "Love Home Swap"]
    geo: {latitude: -36.9575, longitude: 174.4685}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/deck-dave-emma-house-1.jpg"
    caption: "The deck overlooking the Waitakere Ranges"
    keywords: ["Love Home Swap"]
    captured: 2017-01-26
    geo: {latitude: -36.9575, longitude: 174.4685}
```