Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
154
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Details
Description
Kia ora!
My home is in the middle of beautiful Honeymoon Valley, surrounded by native bush, birds and organic gardens (no shops etc.). We built our earth house with local clay and roof gardens. This place is very private; a lifestyle block to enjoy nature and quiet living, 330 km North of Auckland, 20 min from Taipa Beach.
The subtropical Far North of Aotearoa/New Zealand has important historic sights. I am also part of the Honeymoon Valley landcare group (honeymoonvalleylandcare.org.nz). We protect native forest, birds, lizards and insects by trapping predators and eradicating invasive weeds.
You can help with organic gardening, landscaping: mowing, brush-cutting, earth work; firewood, compost-making, renovating (fixing things, basic carpentry, painting), sewing, cleaning, general maintenance. I have chickens; make bread; home-brew beer; organic apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut (when in season), preserve fruit, collect seeds, and when possible, stock my freezer with wild meat. I use permaculture principles on my land.
My home suits helpers who have some work & life experience. Weekdays, I work at our local school. Afternoons and weekends I work with you. In exchange for 4-5 hours per day, you get accommodation (a bedroom in my house) and meals. If you prefer a special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.) or need lots of snacks, please bring some food with you.
You can go sightseeing during the week, while I am at work.
The Oruru River is great for swimming. You can enjoy bush and bird live. If you play music, there is a keyboard, a guitar, a ukulele, and djembes. I love singing and dancing, pilates ... I love nature, films, literature and art.
nga mihi nui
GerlindeTypes of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can help you with your language study.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Gardeners, landscapers, carpenters, painters, outdoor people, art and crafts people, dancers, yoga teachers ...
If you are interested in education and teaching - you might be able to come to my kura (school) for some community experience.Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Maori: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am a language teacher. I am continuously learning Te Reo Maori and interested in Chinese.Accommodation
A bedroom in our house
What else ...
Children welcome.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
WIFI available - limited. Depending on how much extra data you need, you might be asked to contribute a bit of $$ to the costs.
Space for parking camper vans
Room to park campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4 - 5 hours per day/ 5 days a week
Feedback (70)
Thanks again… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Thanks again… read more
She has a very beautiful place and the work didn't feel like work to me.
The food, we had, was always very delicious and Gerlinde also cared about my diet (vegetarian).
As she is a teacher and my English is not really the best, Gerlinde helped me a lot to improve my language skills.
I also… read more
I learned a lot about gardening and permaculture which was really enjoyable. Gerlinde knows a lot! During all the chores she would sing which made everything more fun. She is also an amazing cook and most of our meals came from the garden.
In my free time I got to go… read more
Gerlinde was a… read more
It was a unique experience to be a guest at Gerlinde and in this beautiful place. I loved being there. Gerlinde is a great host. Living on the beautiful property is exactly what your soul and spirit need to rest. Gerlinde is always helpful and gave me a lot of information about gardening, this country and the locals. The bread… read more
Katie is also handy, e.g. fixing things (e.g. my roof that has been leaking for ever) - thank you- ! I… read more
It was… read more
Thank you Gerlinde for such a… read more
We really enjoyed our time in this piece of peaceful paradise. Everything is clear and organized, and all the efforts given are very much rewarded with lovely homemade meals!
The jobs are multiple, like weeding, gardening, fire wood organizing, fruit… read more
All the… read more
We learnt about permaculture and improve some other skills in gardening. We enjoyed work with Gerlinde in the week end, especially make vinegar and fruit juice, and work independently during the week. We also had good time with Christoph and his passion for music and… read more
Colin and Brice are such friendly, gentle and industrious helpers. We very much enjoyed having them around and live with us for two (too short) weeks. They weeded gardens, sorted fire wood, cleaned the house all over, and helped making cider vinegar and with bottling fruit. When we were busy they looked after themselves without… read more
Bernard
It was an amazing experience and inspiration having you stay with us. The garden loved it too! My French has improved so much - I enjoyed our conversations and your advice was greatly appreciated.
Bon voyage cher Bernard!
We feel completely grateful for every word, song, meal and smile shared. Your life... your amazing home are an example of love for the human being and respect for nature.
Thank you so MUCH! For making us feel at home, we have spent 2 lovely weeks, enjoying the calm of the place, your passion and dedication for the real… read more
We miss you already. Thank you for finding us amongst so many choices for your workaway experience. Have a wonderful time in New… read more
Keep up your positive spirit, your hard work, your fun and sense of community. You are smart and interesting young people... I hope you will spread this attitude where ever you travel.
See you in your future home - looking forward to see where… read more
You are experienced helpers because of all the background you bring with you and your children 'just fit in'. The girls are gorgeous. I am glad we invited you into our house - hope you get many more opportunities to be 'helpers' and we hope to help you one day on… read more
thanks to both of you and all the best for your further travels (in your own car - !!) and many… read more
So thanks Gerlinde, Martin and Lisa for the great time!
Even if she was busy with school works, she always took time to share her stories and experiences with us ! We really enjoy that movie theatre night together ;)
Many things to do is that lovely house...we never got bored haha
Thank you Gerlinde for that week and a special thanks to Chris as well for sharing with us… read more
Dominique
She has been hosting woofers/workawayers for many years and this shows through, in her lovely welcoming approach. We felt at home very quickly, and Gerlinde cooked delicious food each day (including great home made bread which all the… read more
all the best for many more amazing WA experiences. Come… read more
Her house is very interesting because There are lot of art. It's very quiet.… read more
Until our paths meet again,
Bek and Nat
Thank you very much for this experience!
Gerlinde is a kind and active host with great organic and recycle lifestyle. People how like to work independently are at the right place. Vegetables and fruits from garden were awesome food.
Even if we could use the first language for simpler… read more
Thank you for staying with me for over three weeks, and still not long enough! Your bamboo/recycled wood book shelf will be cherished and admired, and be a model to work from for other helpers. Also thanks for baking, cleaning, and good luck with your flax weaving! Come back… read more
The jobs were colorful, not hard and we really enjoyed them. She was careful not to give work which was not good for our back when it had pain.
We stayed about 5 days and it seemed enough for us. There were many (mostly very reasonable) rules around the… read more
Dear Gerlinde, thank you for this experience, advices and great meals)
Cheers,
Lyubov and Daniel
It was a pleasure having you around, you are calm and at the same time very interesting to talk to. And you are a very good crafts person.… read more
There was our first experience like workawayers and it was great!
Very interesting for us stay in a clay house. We could enjoy for more than 1 week this paceful (but never boring) home and the ecologicals meals. Very nice place and friendly neighbourhood always with the company of good Buddy
Our best… read more
And yes, keen to check out Minnesota one day.... by then you probably know how to cook a good pot of Tapioca.
see you again sometime..
love n gratitude
robbie
We exchanged a lot of movies and enjoyed the company of buddy the dog and pig-sitting.
Gerlinde is a… read more
We done various and interesting tasks: get firewood, fencing, organic gardening... We learnt a lot!
Thank you so much for everything and your fabulous meals!!