Miles Osler, his wife Meg and their son Jonty arrived in Dunedin from Cape Town for a holiday on March 15.
Long-time friend Lloyd McGinty, his wife and three children welcomed the Oslers, and the two families went to holiday in the Catlins.
Mr Osler said while driving back the nationwide lockdown was announced, and Mr Osler tried to organise a return ticket, without luck.
"We were supposed to leave on April 4, but our flight was cancelled.
"I got new flights and they were also cancelled."
The family were told they could fly home but at risk of becoming stuck in Australia or Johannesburg.
"Johannesburg is having some problems, so we decided it would be better to wait here until we could guarantee getting home safe."
The families were living in a "dual bubble" situation, Mr McGinty said.
"We’ve made our caravan outside into their office, so they can do their jobs as normal from here and their son started school Tuesday. It’s working really well."
Mr Osler continued to work as a financial services manager and his wife continued work as an epidemiologist at the University of Cape Town.
"I work late into the night to deal with the time difference. I’m very lucky I can still do my job."
While they had no indication of when they might return home, Mr Osler said he was grateful to be in Dunedin.
"We’re still able to work from here, we’re safe and happy so I’m very appreciative of how it has worked out.
"Out of all the countries in the world to be in during this crisis, I would choose New Zealand."
