What if nobody in Gisborne does this?
Then the honest answer is that it comes from out of the region, and the quote should say so with the travel in it. NovaPay asks locally first and widens rather than pretending the choice is bigger than it is.
How do I stop rats coming back?
Baiting deals with the ones inside; proofing is what stops the next lot. Ask whether the quote includes finding and blocking the entry points, because a treatment without it is a subscription rather than a fix.
Is it safe with pets and children?
Modern treatments are targeted and a good operator will tell you what to keep away from and for how long. Say in your request that you have pets or small children so the quote accounts for it.
Do I have to leave the house?
For most treatments, no, or only for a few hours. Fumigation is the exception. It should be stated in the quote rather than sprung on you on the day.
Who pays, me or my landlord?
In New Zealand it usually turns on whether the problem existed at the start of the tenancy and whether the property is properly proofed. If you are renting, raise it with your landlord before booking.