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17 Feb 2024
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Hey there. Thanks for taking the time to look at my host page.
Presently the project is on hold, until July 2023, when i will return from a well deserved break. (Asia, India, and Bulgaria)...Its sooo nice to be on the road again, after this shitty covid time. Phew, i was going stir crazy!
Ill probably be doing some workaway gigs myself as I travel about. But i look forward to reopening the project up to the crazy and fun filled times had when im there with a workaway crew. Who knows, that maybe could include you!
More about me:
My name is Dean, from New Zealand, i normally live 6 months of the year in a wee gypsy village in the foothills of the Balkan hinterland in Bulgaria, and 6 months in India... but in some strange twist of fate i did the unthinkable..and whilst visiting fam and friends in NZ, 6 years ago, I drove past a dilapidated old tavern , fell in love with it..and bought it!
So, I have had a quite mammoth task working on restoring this old iconic building back to her former glory, but it is a job that is giving me great joy, and appreciation as well from the local community, who are very happy to see the place being loved again.
It is a all timber building over 100 years old, and was built with lovely native NZ timbers throughout.
Time has started to take its toll on the old girl, but her "bones" are good and the potential is enormous.
More info below....Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
I hope that i could teach travellers a lot to do with construction and renovation of old buildings, and to appreciate and love the notion of restoring historic buildings to their previous grandeur. I want to develop the gardens etc along permacultural lines, so these skills and knowledges also can be developed. And last but not least, i hope that by sharing space with good people we can all benefit and learn to understand, share, respect, and care for each other in a nice, happy, beautiful environment.
Help
ok..anything from building skills to gardeners..... There is a lot of general construction work.. carpentry, sanding, , stripping walls, gyprocking, filling, painting... I desperately need the help of good carpenters and joiners and all trades associated with building, and there is an acre of land thats requiring orchard development, chook pens built, green house sorted, vege gardens dug and managed...
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Bulgarian: Intermediate
Hindi: Intermediate
Swedish: BeginnerAccommodation
We have accommodation within, having had 8 rooms available for guests. Now 3 rooms are being transformed into living spaces, but there are still 5 bedrooms left! These are all upstairs along with the bathroom etc, Downstairs is a nice kitchen and dining area...a big bar/ (Man cave)...he he..it was a pub remember...a lovely terrace plenty of space.
I have recently bought a pool table for people to enjoy after hours...there are 2 pianos, and 2 guitars , a BBQ, Firepit and beer garden to chill out in.What else ...
Mangatainoka, where the tavern is, is on State highway 2...160klms north of the capital Wellington..which is at the bottom of the north Island. The village is quite well known for the Tui Brewery, which started in 1889..a year after the tavern was originally built. There is still a big tourist attraction there worthy of a day visit..and that is 500 metres down the road, and easily seen from upstairs. There is trout fishing, trekking, and hunting in the hills...a golf course across the road...some wineries around the place, Palmerston North, quite a big city is 35 kms away..Pahiatua, where the closest shops and supermarket is, is just 4 kms.
There are a lot of nice bush walks around the place..a river close by for swimming..and some zany local characters to meet and share a drink with.
Buses are available to get here..(i can arrange pick ups from the drop off points etc), and it is very easy to hitch hike here..with many of my workawayers being dropped off at the door by friendly locals very happy to help out the people helping me out here..
I like to include my workawayers with my everyday life..(cause aint that what its all about!)..so be prepared to come along on some funny local jaunts...I have some great neighbours for you to meet..real kiwi characters...and you'll never know what little adventures/ situations pop up to get involved in.
And hey...thanks for your interest in my project.
Yes, the tavern is a beautiful, (and big) restoration project that I have taken on. You will see and feel the appreciation that the locals have for undertaking this mammoth task, if you come to help me out. There is a lot of love for this beautiful old building and many memories for many Kiwis emanate from these walls.
I have come a long way in the last 6 years..but there is still much to do..many steps to take.. From july 2023 when i get back from a wee break O/S in Thailand, India, and Bulgaria I will need a good small team here over the next 6 months to help me move the project along. I would love and appreciate your help...especially if you bring skills...or at least the desire to make a difference, and work hard on a worthwhile project.
I ask people to commit to a at least 2 week stay..as otherwise the disruption/ induction/ training up etc, becomes untenable, and most projects require at least that duration..and i like to match people with projects so that they can get a good sense of completion ...I have actually had some amazing people stay with me for over 2 months..and that was great...and i am open to this.
For ease of integration and to not disrupt my work schedule and obligations, I like my workawayers to arrive on Sundays ready to start on Mondays. We typically have a big family kiwi "Roast meal" on sunday evening..(yum!)...so its a good time to meet everyone and to become acquainted with the scene, and hopefully ill have some time off the tools so i can be available to show you around. Please dont expect to arrive during the week.
Just to clarify things, and to ensure that there is no confusion or problems arising when you are here, I will explain how things have to work from my end…and if you agree to these terms, then we can talk more.
I am offering free accommodation. I have 5 rooms available , one a big dorm like one..and the rest ok for singles and partners… And I am offering food. Good wholesome healthy kiwi tucker! To clarify that…:
I am not a vegetarian, but can accommodate this…and will provide the ingredients for a good, wholesome healthy meal each evening.. with fresh seasonal vegetables, and like chicken, pork, mince, fish…Sadly my budget does not go to Beef steaks and Lamb chops every day…or specialty foods…but you will be fed well and ample. I'm a pretty good cook i reckon and love making stir fry thai food, (coconut curries...yummmmm!!!!)...but am more than happy when people want to get creative in the kitchen too.
I have a proper espresso coffee machine!!..I provide tea/ chai, green tea,proper coffee…Hot chocolate, milk and sugar…
Occasionally, we are blessed with some local venison..that's very nice!
There is a variety of cereals for breakfast…(weetbix, corn flakes, rice bubbles, porridge), but any other designer cereals are not provided. There is always fresh bread for toast and a huge variety of spreads, jams, peanut paste, vegemite, cheese etc. Biscuits always available for snacks between meals. .
I try to keep a variety of seasonal veges for eating..(and want to grow some ..have built the green house..need help with all that stuff!)... in summer i like to keep fresh tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, and capsicums etc in the fridge for salads etc. Maybe nice for lunch. Recently lunches have been meat pies..pizzas, toasted sandwiches..left overs refried..sandwiches..salads…
There are typically bananas/ seasonal fruits in the fruit bowl…
But other Foods… like special cereals..special cheeses..(brie?..camembert..smokey blue..whatever..) olive oils, snack food..chocolates etc..i unfortunately don't have the budget for..
I also do not provide your:
Alcohol…I enjoy a drink and am happy for you to drink here…but I do not see that it is my job to provide your drink. There is a supermarket 4 klms away, with cheap wine and beer..and a bottle shop as well for spirits there…and I expect people to bring their own alcohol and mixers. Happy to throw in to share a cask of wine..a carton of beer..a bottle of whiskey..and hope / expect that you also will be happy to do so too.
I do not provide your personal cleaning products: Your soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc is to be provided by you.
I provide limited WIFI, (have a good connection for nz really!, but have a data cap of 500 gig a month, and have recently found out that i cant get unlimited on the wireless broadband package that I am newly contracted to...urgh..bloody fine print!). It is plenty if people don't surf all day and download heavy stuff..be warned though..when the data cap is reached the wifi stops so respect of this and others is paramount..and Hey..hopefully you are not here to have your nose shoved into your bloody phone all day anyhow..much more to do in life...like live it...
I of course provide your electricity..(but please turn off lights when you are not using them..my electricity bill here is horrendous), a cold water washing machine, hot water for your showers, cooking gear,
I am not on town water. That means we must be careful of our consumption. Basically that means not too long a showers...not leaving taps on when brushing your teeth..stuff like that...just being aware that we are living off tank water...
When you arrive your bedroom/ sleeping area will be clean and tidy, and prepared for you.
When you leave, i ask you to please leave the room in the same condition. Vacuumed, sheets washed dried and put back on the bed, , blankets folded etc.
This aint a 5 star resort, and it is i suppose essentially a building site in many ways, and im one man alone as a bachelor working very hard, so please don't expect a sanitised spit and polished environs..The place is comfortable, certainly lived in, and I try my best to keep it a liveable, comfortable environment.
To that end, the communal areas..kitchen..dining room, hallways, bathroom etc, need to be kept clean and tidy.
Sweeping the floor, Vacuuming the lounge room, doing the dishes, and food preparation, and other general duties around the house ARE NOT part of your 5 hour work schedule..they are part of your community responsibilities and are expected. If someone cooks..the other people clean. Standard community stuff.
All dishes are to be washed up before the end of the night..I cant handle waking up to last nights mess to start my day with.
I have a list of duties that i get everyone to pitch in and do mid saturday morning, when everyone arises after their sleep ins...(eg mopping kitchen floor, vaccing common areas, cleaning loos and bathrooms etc) in an attempt to keep a basic level of hygiene up. So expect to be part of that, and i expect proactivity in this regard..i don't want to have to harangue people to pull their weight.. if there's a big crew, a more detailed clean up can occur rather than just the basics...if everyone pitches in and works efficiently, it can all get done in an hour or so.... if your going away for the weekend, you could pitch in and do your share on the friday afternoon before you go...
With owning the property and trying to keep it moving forward, I have a lot on my plate at the moment. I am perhaps 2 people? When I am at work..and in charge of a crew…I am business like..and will expect a good effort from you. When I have finished work, I am a gentle soul who enjoys a laugh and a relax..a drink with friends..company, good times, a chat, a sense of community…but when at work..i am at work..and you will need to understand that and appreciate that.
Whilst you will be working 5hrs a day 5 days a week for your food and lodgings…..i am presently working very long days and almost 7 days a week,,as my project is soo big and I am one man alone with soo much to do. I reserve the right to start early..and may make noise from 7 am..wood working tools etc..and these may well be making noise later into early evening if the task I am working on requires that. You have to accept that too.
I need people to understand that this is an important project, (to me and to the local community), and that it is not a sheltered workshop…or somewhere where you do not apply yourself. When you work for me, you work…you apply yourself, do your best, take instruction, and take pride in your work.
If I have approached you here on workaway, (ie sent you a request) its because of the "skill base" that you have expressed you possess. If you say you are a carpenter, then i would hope that you have carpentry skills and experience. Sadly i have had guys here who say they are a carpenter but cant mark or cut a straight line, or even use a hammer and chisel! This is clearly frustrating . Please be honest to me when you tell me about how your skills could help the project along.
When I have a team here, to try to ensure a flow of work, and manageability, I ask everyone to be ready to start work at 8 am…/working from 8 till 10 o'clock.. have a half hour for coffee and biscuits..then 10.30 to 1.30..(approximately)… for 5 days every week..
Maybe, if we have a big crew, and or depending on the tasks at hand, i may ask you to help me in an afternoon rather than a morning..so i can have assistance all day rather than everyone in the morning and myself on my own in the afternoon..(i get lonely...he he)
When i get back into it in July 2023, the work will be focusing on building from scratch a big set of external stairs replete with a landing half way up to improve access to the 2nd floor, along with gardening, getting the vege garden cranking, some maintenance painting work, ...stuff like that.
During working time I expect people to be mobile device free..(ie no facebooking/ ringing Europe to mummy for half an hour/ you tubing etc..he he..dont laugh..this happens quite a bit??? !!!)...and if the job requires attention and has safety issues associated with it, for people not to wear their music headphones. I do have a good stereo in the bar area which gets cranked to help while away the work times and beyond...
Last but not least...i do not tolerate fools lightly, and reserve the right to pull you aside and talk to you if you are not pulling your weight..are not doing work to a good enough quality, or are disrupting the flow in any way. I am the kind of person that if I have a problem I will express it..rather than hold it in..and once expressed its over…….(as long as behaviors are adjusted accordingly)…
So..basically..off the top of my head….that's the rules that I have to work with..I haven’t liked to be so regimented in the past..but for logistical reasons and the desire to be conflict free here , I have found that it is best for me to outline my situation up front… I think if you reflect on the above, that really I am not being unreasonable here…but of course..if you feel that it doesn’t suit you to have these things laid out like this..that's also your choice and no harm done…I would rather that we not have conflict here, so best to sort this stuff out now…
And oh...FYI..this place isn't a "PC" environment. You will be exposed to a bit of cussing, joking about...and at times open and frank discussions about anything and everything...no topics are too sacrosanct....so if you are easily offended and cant take a joke as its intended.....so "woke" that you cant take a joke....maybe this isnt the place for you?...
If these understandings are acceptable to you, please let me know, and we can discuss the story further.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a satellite dish thing with a gteed 25mbps download speed , which is very reliable . Plenty of spaces around to set up a working desk/ nook/ office type place
Space for parking camper vans
Ive got a pub carpark!!!...bring em on! I have helped quite a few workawayers to get their vans up to scratch, rebuild them, refit them out etc. I have all the tools and a lot of other wee bits and pieces that can be accessed by respectful folk if they need to do such work.
Can possibly accept pets
an elephant may cause problems....would love to host a pet goat...
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (70)
Dean is a great man with a great dream, I instantly felt welcomed by him and the community in general as he introduced me to them.
The area around is gorgeous with rolling green hills… read more
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Dean is a great man with a great dream, I instantly felt welcomed by him and the community in general as he introduced me to them.
The area around is gorgeous with rolling green hills… read more
With a positive can do attitude, desire to really help out, a good skill base behind her, and a happy disposition, Cheri has been both an amazing help, and a pleasure to host.
We have done a great range of tasks here at my big renovation. Cheri's meticulous… read more
Dean's place has been a wonderful experience to me. Not only did I learn a lot of new skills but I also made a few new local friends. They are real awesome one of a kind kiwi characters you'll for sure meet and who make the time at Dean's place even more special. At the time… read more
Dean also had us help with some demolition yo harvest floor boards and doors to restore this place.
Dean was a great host… read more
I came with bugger all construction skills and while i didnt have to do construction, as such, i did all sorts - helping with flashing on the roof, concreteing(sp?), mowing lawns, sanding drywall & ceilings, sanding floors, oiling floors...a goid variety of jobs to keep the interest going and… read more
From the very first encounter I realised Dean was a character, a story teller, a man of vision and a man on a mission to… read more
short. During our stay there Dean was always very welcoming and made us feel like we are at home straightaway.
Dean is a humorous kiwi that's also a very well-discliplined man with broad knowledge and experience always sharing his stories of… read more
The environment, , the local people, (props to Paul, Rosie,and Royden), and fellow workawayers all kept the atmosphere lively and entertaining. Priceless is what comes to mind meeting people young and older from such diverse backgrounds, yet mesh together so well!
Big thanks… read more
It was awesome to live and take part to your community with wonderful people.
Dean put all his efforts making you comfy and easygoing, food is great...due to Dean’s standards and pleasure to share the diner together.
We have been part… read more
I had a blast during my two weeks spent here.… read more
He was very welcoming from the first time, he picked us up from the bus station. We had delicious, home cooked, healthy dinner every day and other good food through the day.
We had a great team with like-minded people around so time was flying every day. Outside working hours there was always time for a… read more
Thanks to Dean, his story, his life, his crew I also learned a lot about life! I hope to see the tavern working one day and I wish you the best for the future and your projects mate!!
A clean and respectful young man, Leo was a pleasant house companion and willing to assist in the day to day… read more
Dean is a very great host, i passed many times with him and feeling in a like in my home. He has always ideas for his project, and i learn many things during my experience.
I met so many nice persons, all the neighbours and all the workawyers are amazing.
Thank you so much Dean, and I… read more
Willing to try hard and with some carpentry skills behind him, he helped me tackle quite a few different jobs around the place. Time flew by when Jeremy was here, and during that time we completed many big and small tasks together..always with a smile on his face, and… read more
This is a big project, and you can learn a lot of thing with him, because you have so many different thing to do.
His description is very clear, its a really good thing, you dont have a bad susprise.
And you have always a lot of a good food on the table. :)
Whilst here with me he did a great range of things. happy to mow the lawn and care for day to day chores, care for the animals, and help keep the worksite clean, he also helped build a big deck roof from… read more
A great help, she has transformed my proposed vege garden space into an… read more
Hes an amazing Guy. Very skilled at his carpentry profession, he was able and very willing to help me with many big building jobs around here. he really left his mark!
To top it off though, Albin is a really sweet, polite, helpful guy...great company, quick… read more
I have had the immense pleasure of having her here helping me out on my big renovation project in rural New Zealand. Elizabeth has really applied herself to all tasks with great enthusiasm, even when the jobs were dirty, physically demanding , boring, and… read more
Already first day I… read more
Always willing to learn, and apply herself to her assigned tasks with great enthusiasm and application, she has certainly helped me move my project along , and always with a smile on her face.… read more
His restoration project - amazing place and it was a real pleasure to see the… read more
Roman has stayed with me around a month. He came as a workawayer, but leaves as a dear friend, and with so much gratitude from me for all his fantastic efforts here helping me move… read more
Dean was my very first workaway host and instead of staying with him for a week, I ended up living there for over 2 months. I think that already says a lot!
I contacted Dean, because one of his mates told me about him and his project and I was immediately curious. He invited me over, although he knew I had no experience in… read more
Deans's project of renovating this iconic tavern is huge and he is body and soul 200% involved in it and that's admirable.
We arrived with no building/renovating skills but our motivation to do our best and we've learn so much.
We're now able… read more
Dean has a lot to do and he work very very very hard. We never seen somebody motivated and ambitious like him. He was very welcoming and honest with what was it that we were to do for his project and we appreciated his genuine demeanor, he is very passionate about the place.… read more
Upon arrival Dean barged into the airport and… read more
Sophia helped me with many construction tasks around here, way too many to list.. and was… read more
I normally worry when i have people doing top coats of painting..the… read more
Dean is one of the most knowlegable and clever people I've met in my life! A great teacher both in life and construction and with incredible life stories! A genuine great guy with an endless anti-PC sense of… read more
Not scared of hard work..keen to learn and experience different jobs...able to apply… read more
Adam was very handy to have around as I battled with what was a mammoth task of reroofing the old Gal. not scared to have a go, he was ever… read more
I met there the kindest and most amazing people in hole NZ!
Dean is probably the best Host you can find on this hole Workaway Website!
He will be a good friend to have a nice talk in the evening byside a cold one!
The Food is always fresh and delicious.
Hopefully… read more
Although, I did not really bring along any useful hard skills, Dean made sure to facilitate me with my own little sanding… read more
Sadly, due to all the holiday palavers around xmas, working days were cut short, and she didn’t get to see her prep… read more
I may have given Dean some headaches in the workfield (especially with the bending tool) but he always maintained the coolness (except with the bending tool) and pointed… read more
But the best thing about my stay was… read more
Definately one of my best workaway experiences. But be warned it will pull you in and not let go. Maybe its all the good food, or the great company. Or the peaceful surroundings and local characters. Or maybe just living and working in a piece of local history. Whatever the reason, I ended up spending almost all of my time in New… read more
Dean is a good man. He really knows what he wants. Although I was, unexperienced as I was, not a masterpiece in work, he was relaxed enough to let me learn my lessons. I… read more
Right from the moment he entered here he was capable of seeing things that needed his attention, and wasnt scared to get in and have a go.
A very likeable, polite, clean, and personable chap with great travel stories and experiences, Ben was a real asset to my team here.
Capable of working unsupervised, willing to learn, a… read more
Not scared of hard work...enthusiastic, intelligent, very capable, and actually quite a wizz at design ideas, Damien applied himself really well to every task set him.
Starting with prepping and painting a differcult timber ceiling, and then completly stripping out an… read more
But thats by far not all: show your motivation, and Dean will give you a home. He… read more
A great young man with the world at his feet.
I had the pleasure of hosting Jasper for one month here
Whilst here he completed many diverse tasks, all with great skill, precision and a smile on his face.
A happy, calm, balanced young man, willing to work hard, and achieve his tasks set without fuss.
A very good… read more
Besides the… read more
A very happy, uplifting couple with a lot of love to share.
Really willing and wanting to help make a difference to the project, they applied themselves to numerous tasks with great gusto and perserverance. Thomas really worked hard , high up on trestles doing an amazing job of the bar ceilings..(very hard… read more
We had our very first workaway here and it was definitely a five star experience!
We stayed with Dean for a month and from the first day we felt welcome and as a part of the… read more
I stayed here for over 2 month but I could easily stay a whole year cause life never gets boring here.
Dean is one of the most interesting persons I've ever met. His stories will leave you speechless and the way he's telling them will always… read more
I was blessed to have his company here with me for over 2 months. I think we grew to like each other...he he..
For an 18 yr old lad, he has vast maturity beyond his years. Coupled with sensitivity, intelligence, a willingness to help,… read more
I had quite a project to get sorted..needing to make circa 140 metres of new fences...which meant a lot of fence post hole digging, putting in big posts and ramming them, running wires and getting them tensioned etc.
In even the shitiest weather Noah was happy… read more
The weather here wasnt the best, and i had this rather large project of sanding the bar ceilings and prepping and painting… read more
A good lad..intelligent, well educated and mannered, happy to pitch in and do some dirty work, and try his best.
Sadly the rugby 7s dragged him away from the grinder, but his efforts whilst here were very good, and i can reccomend him without hesitation to any future hosts. A good lad with a great future… read more
Dean and everyone else staying at the tavern were amazingly friendly and laid back, the moment I arrived I felt welcome and at home. Dean is a fun and cool guy with some crazy stories to tell and time just flew by. Wish I could've stayed for longer.
The work I did was… read more
On top of… read more
I think Dean should write an autobiography as his stories are honestly second to none… read more
And what a piece of art he did too. Very happy with his skills and artistic precision..amazing really...
But what was extra nice with having Fred around was his social and interactional skills that he possessed. A… read more
He gave us "personalized" tasks and also a project what we could finish in one week.
Me and my Husband had a separate room, which was great. Don't expect 5 star hotel, but you will have everything what you need.
We had a wonderful time, we learned a lot from him! After hearty dinners we talked a lot, He shared… read more
We felt really appreciated… read more
Eager to help, they both did great work for me here, prepping walls for drywalling, and paint stripping doors, frames and skirting. When not working they participated well in community activities..cooking fine food, helping to keep the place… read more
A very pleasant bloke with interesting life experiences, gentle, helpful, amenable, and a good addition to the community here.
Ryans skills and experienc e as a painter were very useful, and it was nice to be able to know that i could just point and shoot in regards… read more
Pascal stayed with me for almost a month, and we did a great variety of jobs around the place..He picked up carpentry skills well and was very good at… read more
He is a fantastic bloke! Hard working and with amazing carpentry skills. With my project i have so many different jobs around the place that require skills, precision and tenacity. With David i was just able to describe what i wanted, point him in the… read more
Well instead of a week or 2 I stayed the whole month with Dean in a small village, in Bulgaria.
Seriously, I could not imagine the better host (especially if it is your first time trying it).
We worked our ass*s off some days, but believe me, you will enjoy it. Especially when you see the result. ----> fireplace outside - yei!!!
You… read more