Be part of our family and help with some outside tasks in in Norwest Auckland, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  My name is Lyn and my partner's, Greg. We are both in our mid-sixties. I am still very active and working full-time. Greg is retired. Together we have nine grown up children (five of them are living in Europe or Australia). We currently have nine grandchildren between us.
  
  We live on a 10 acre lifestyle block between Kumeu and Westgate, in Norwest Auckland. Our property is at the end of a private driveway which comes off State Highway 16, the main road going north to Wellsford up the western side of the country (State Highway 1 goes up to Wellsford on the eastern side).
  
  We have seven horses (both full size and miniature), chickens, aviary birds, a rabbit, and four schnauzer dogs. I enjoy being outside, building DIY projects, and pottering around the garden/farm. I have lists of small jobs I want to do around the place but because I am still working 40 hours a week, I just don't have the time. Hence the need for help to get some of those physical, outside jobs completed.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You could be as much a part of our family and be included in all of our activities as you want.
  You could learn about NZ history (Greg is a whizz on that), Kiwi culture, and good Kiwi food. And if you have any questions about any sport, greg will give you an an answer.
  You could come horse riding in the forest or at the beach with me.
  
  We have been lucky to have holidays in many international destinations (staying with family and friends). Over the past 20 years we have also hosted many young tourists to NZ. These travellers have been sent to us by our own children and some of them have stayed on for months. These cultural exchanges work both ways. We love to learn about your country and culture just as much as you want to learn about ours.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  I would like help completing some of the things on my lists. They are physical, outside tasks, so do need a bit of strength (not necessarily prior skill or knowledge).
  For example:
  - laying paving stones around my granddaughter's playground to make mowing the lawn easier
  - clearing weeds and replanting in the native garden around the pond
  - shifting and spreading trailer loads of mulch on the flower/shrub garden
  - painting the one bedroom wooden cottage
  - planting fruit trees in the mini horse paddock and building fences to keep their noses/mouths off the trees

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  French: Intermediate
  Maori: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I have learnt french at university, and by talking with my son-in-law, his wife and two daughters who live in Bordeau. Another son-in-law and partner live in Rome so I would like to learn Italian. I am about to start Te Reo learning
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  Accommodation

  We live in a renovated farm shed - it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two lounges - but it is definitely a "home". It is very comfortable, warm and relaxed. You would have your own bedroom with a queen size bed, so a single person or couple would be best.
  
  We would provide all meals and would like you to join us for all of them. Greg has a fantastic cottage garden and does most of the cooking (we are omnivores) but if you want to share some of your native dishes, that would be perfect. You would be expected to pitch in and help with basic chores like dishes and tidying.
  
  There are six families at the end of the long driveway, and we are a close little community. So you would never be lonely.

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  What else ...

  Even though we are close to the city, we feel like we are miles from anywhere. However, it is still the perfect location for enjoying the city highlights and also for exploring our great outdoors. Just 15 minutes south along the Norwestern Motorway is central city and all the action if you want. And just 15 minutes north/west there's the beautiful beaches and forests of Norwest Auckland.
  The public bus service travels on State Highway 16 past the end of our driveway. If appropriate, you could also have access to a car to get around.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have an unlimited wifi internet access policy. You are very welcome to use it sensibly.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Plenty of space to park and set-up home

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Dogs are fine (we already have four schnauzers). Contact us if there are other options.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week