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Help at our Manakau Hideaway near Wellington, New Zealand

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    GREETINGS WORKAWAYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

    My wife Brenda and I own a 1.2ha (3 acre) orchard situated between Levin and Otaki, about one hour by car north of Wellington, on State Highway 1, which is now a two lane "expressway" (German: Autobahn, French: autoroute, Italian: autostrada, Spanish: autovia, US: freeway, GB: M road) all the way from Wellington to Otaki. There is a house on the orchard, where Workawayers can stay. Our permanent home is in Wellington.

    Our main crop is plums, which ripen over a two to three week period every January. This crop is sufficiently large to require 2-3 helpers during this time. We need help with picking, usually on a Friday, for a market on a Saturday.

    My wife and I are in our 70's, and have over the past 20 years hosted numerous exchange students, travellers and volunteers from all around the world. We particularly love hosting German helpers, as our younger daughter lives in Hamburg, and is married with two children. Our elder daughter lives near us in Wellington, and is married with three young children.

    At other times of the year, we can use workawayers for various activities, including pruning, weeding and orchard maintenance.

    There is no public transport to the orchard itself, but I am able to meet and greet at the Otaki or Levin Intercity bus stops near to the orchard. If coming from the South Island, I can meet you at one of the ferry terminals in Wellington.

    We look forward to meeting willing Workawayers.

    Roger and Brenda

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You will meet some real "Kiwis". (The people, not the bird or the fruit!) My wife and I have had a lot of experience hosting people from Europe, Asia and the Americas. We can relate to their needs, and also provide a real Kiwi experience that is not available from just backpacking or being a tourist.

    There are two sandy beaches nearby (Waikawa Beach and Otaki Beach) suitable for swimming and surfing, and beachcombing, during the summer months (December to March) and just walking or exploring for the rest of the year.

    Brenda is into crafts and music, whereas I like sport (chiefly cricket and rugby), geocaching and genealogy. We both like to travel and particularly enjoy “off the tourist track” adventures. I have volunteered for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    Picking plums (January only), weeding, tree trimming/pruning, general orchard maintenance.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    House at the orchard with own bedroom, if required. We also have space for tents, and campervans. Meals provided while volunteering.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There are mountain tracks and bush walks within a short drive away. We have a bicycle available for Workawayers to use, and it’s a flat side road to a beach 8km away. As I mentioned above, there is no public transport. There is wi-fi available at the orchard.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Jucy Campers around the size of a Toyota Hiace, and smaller Britz campervans may be ok. Big RV's probably not, although our neighbour may be happy to allow them to park.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 2-3 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 232624197583

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Accuracy of profile: (4.9)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

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