Because of the length of our stay in New Zealand, and the very
specific location we need to live in, we have been unsuccessful in
using the standard Internet home exchange programs.

Our need:  My husband will be teaching at Canterbury University in
Christchurch, New Zealand between about July 8, 2003 and October 15,
2003, and during that time we need to live in the Burnside school
district, so that our 15 year old son can attend Burnside High School.
 We have the exact boundaries of that school district, but for
purposes of this question, we assume it is somewhat near Canterbury
University in Christchurch.

What we can offer:  Our home, Austin, has a huge university with a
great library system.  We hear that college faculty and graduate
students from around the world are eager to stay here to utilize those
facilities.  We have a lovely home with lots of ameneties, if we can
only connect with the correct web page.

Our question:  Can you help us find a computer home exchange that
might help us fit our needs - we hear there is one specifically for
college-connected home swaps?  Even if you found an exchange program
specific to Christchurch, or even Burnside High School, this would be
helpful.

If you haven't already, try:

http://www.digsville.com/

I know folks who have had a lot of success here, even with unusual
home-swap situations.

Have you tried placing an ad in the local paper or in the free
advertising paper, The Trade and Exchange?

You place ads in the T&E online by creating a profile on their
website, although this may be difficult from Austin.
http://www.trade-exchange.co.nz/

Do you have someone who can help facilitate from New Zealand?

It maybe the sort of thing someone doesn't think of until the idea is
presented, so perhaps the home-swap sites are not the best place.

Good Luck,
sycophant-ga
(Auckland, NZ)