Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
27 Dec 2023
Reply rate
70.6 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
2
Email verified
Details
Description
Hello lovely workawayers!
I am looking for general help around the place for my mother. She lives on a large block of land, over a hill and quite far from civilization! It's a beautiful property but needs a bit of work on the garden, some work on the house and little projects around the property. My mother is originally from Germany but came to NZ 34 years ago, married a kiwi and had 10 children (none of which live with her anymore)! Since all of her children have moved out now, the workload around the place is a bit much for her and it gets quite lonely for her living very remote on her own. She is one of the loveliest people, quite eccentric and all into the natural way of doing things.
She lives up a 3km driveway which is only accessible with a 4WD (and sometimes only by foot) and about 15 minutes drive from the nearest town, so don't expect to be able to easily go to the shops. Because of this she also tries and be as self-sustainable as possible with her own chickens for eggs, garden for vegetables and goats for milk products. Along with chickens and goats we also have some sheep (classic New Zealander's ;)), a dog and the occasional adopted animal from the wild.
Her house is fully solar powered, therefore we don't have a television and sometimes run out of power at the end of cloudy days. We don’t have WiFi, but do have phone service. It’s very basic living, but if you enjoy that style it will be an adventure.
We only accept one workawayer at a time or couples. Please only message me if you are looking to stay longer than a week or two, are independent and an initiative taker.
Please note I myself do not live here, but just run the account for my mother, she will be the one you will spend the time with :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be living in NZ nature and can learn a bit about living remote and self-sustainable. My mother has a spinning wheel and spins her own wool which you could learn how to do. You can also learn how to milk a goat and take care of other animals. Opportunities for day trips to local spots is also very likely!
Help
Mainly some gardening and work in the yard. Some building and fixing up in the house as well as some light cleaning and occasionally cooking. We are very relaxed with the particular duties - if you enjoy gardening you can do mainly gardening and likewise for any other tasks. Appreciate people who take initiative and take on a project they can see would be beneficial.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Learning Maori, able to share some of that and German and English conversation.
Accommodation
You would have your own room and shared bathroom and toilet. The living area is one main house with 2 bedrooms attached, the kitchen and living room and then we have small rooms a short distance from the house, one of which will be yours :). We have gas heated water and also an outside bathtub which we can light a fire underneath.
What else ...
The closest town is about 15 mins drive away, however, there is no bus or anything going there. You may be able to borrow the car if you have a licence or otherwise you can always catch a ride in to town with someone who is going that way or hitchhike (generally pretty easy in our area).
You can also very easily convince my mum to take you on a trip somewhere.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Any kind of pets welcome. Dogs will need to be trained against animals and especially chickens
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
We had the chance to meet that energetic woman. She's really generous and knows a lot of things. We learn so much during our stay, we milked the cow, did butter, cheese, crème fraîche... we had long conversations about everything during our games at night while having a beer.… read more
Feedback
We had the chance to meet that energetic woman. She's really generous and knows a lot of things. We learn so much during our stay, we milked the cow, did butter, cheese, crème fraîche... we had long conversations about everything during our games at night while having a beer.… read more
