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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2025
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Details
Description
THE PLACE
Join us on our beautiful 1.5-hectare property, nestled in the hills above a river in the heart of the picturesque Karangahake Gorge. Much of our land is covered in native bush, with paddocks for our goats, an orchard, large vegetable gardens and three separate homes for our multigenerational family.
When we arrived in December 2021 the land and buildings were very neglected, and we've worked very hard since then with the help of Workawayers to make it beautiful again.
The Karangahake area is recognised as a National Heritage Site because of its rich gold mining history and natural beauty, and it's very popular with both Kiwi's and international tourists. There are numerous walking trails and cycling paths to explore just 3 minutes from our house.
Karangahake Gorge is situated between Waihi (15 minutes away) and Paeroa (7 minutes). Waihi Beach is 25 minutes drive. Both towns have plenty of shops and cafes to visit, and also bus stops for getting to us or heading off on more travel.
THE PEOPLE
My parents and aunt, plus my husband, teenage daughter, and myself live in three separate houses and lead independent lives, while we share the lifestyle property.
We spend lots of time outdoors, tending to the property, caring for our animals, and enjoying the picturesque surroundings.
Health is a priority for all of us; we try to eat well - home grown veges, our own eggs, and organic beef from a nearby farm, none of us smoke, and we appreciate the occasional glass of wine. Sleep is important to us after our busy days, so we expect that guests respect our quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am.
THE PETS
Piper the dog, Ollie, Daisy and Gil the cats, Wilma and Betty the goats, 12 chickens and 2 geese.
WHAT WE DO
My retired parents and Aunt stay active by working outdoors. Aunt Jeanette excels in gardening, especially propagation; Dad Leon is a skilled inventor and fixer, while Mum Judith is talented in decorating, vegetable gardening, and singing.
I work Thursday to Monday in the office at an organic fertiliser company, and also at our restaurant. On the property I manage a busy Air BnB. I'm responsible for the health care of our animals after having spent 20 years in the veterinary industry.
My husband Craig runs a military flight simulator and aviation themed restaurant/bar business in nearby Thames, where he dedicates most of his time. A former NZ Air Force member with a passion for aviation, he used to pilot his own planes and also loves playing golf.
Our daughter Brydie (17) loves the outdoors, and is doing a 3 year Youth Search and Rescue course and also works in our business.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
History
Plant care
Movies & TV
Self development
Pets
Photography
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Books
Animals
Nature
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are a happy, close knit Kiwi family spanning three generations, living in a small Kiwi community. Anyone staying with us would be immersed in typical New Zealand family culture and Kiwi humour.
We enjoy showing travellers what our beautiful area has to offer, and you would also be able to visit our business in Thames and try our flight simulators and food.
We have WW2 Polish refugee family heritage. Not many people are aware of the story of the 1.7 million Poles who were deported to Siberian labour camps, and the thousands of Polish children who were orphaned due to this. We are happy to share our family's history with those who are interested.
We grow our own vegetables, keep free range chickens for eggs, and try to grow our food as organically as possible. We've also planted over thirty fruit trees in our new orchard and our animals are an important part of our family.
The Karangahake Gorge area where we live is a national heritage site. We take great interest in the local history, especially the lives of the people who lived in our area and the impact they had on the land.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
THE IDEAL PERSON WILL ...
Have gardening experience and/or be practical - we prefer those who have gardening, painting or building experience.
We enjoy a good laugh and chatting, so it's important to us that our guests are cheerful and able to engage in conversation. Mature travellers with some life experience and the ability to work efficiently unsupervised would fit into our family the best.
We are unable to cater for any special dietary needs, including vegetarian/vegan.
Having your own transport would be ideal but not essential. We are unable to share our cars but you can use our mountain bikes to cycle to town which takes 20 minutes each way.
THE WORK
Work on our property is very weather and season dependant.
During dry weather the work is mostly ourdoors in the gardens - weeding, pruning, planting, etc; plus firewood collection, cutting and stacking.
During wet weather we try to find indoor jobs to do such as housework, painting or other maintenance jobs, however if there isn't anything to do inside, it will be counted as a non-work day.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a sleepout room that shares a large patio with my parents house. There is a queen bed, chair, dressing table, TV, microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle and outdoor table and chairs.
You would share a bathroom and kitchen in our house which is a very short walk next door.
We usually cook an evening meal however sometimes we do DIY dinners when we all make our own dinner when we want it. We are unable to cater to any special dietary needs including vegetarian/vegan.
What else ...
The Karangahake Gorge is a spectacular area with rivers for swimming, beautiful walking tracks along the old mine trails and through the tunnels, and many areas with ruins from the historic gold mining industry. There is native bush on and surrounding the property with many native birds and insects, including NZ glow worms. Our property has its own private access to the local walking tracks.
Near the gorge are other nature trails and the Hauraki Rail Cycle Trail. We have mountain bikes you can borrow to explore these trails.
Waihi Beach is 25 minutes away for surfing and swimming.
Regional towns Paeroa (7 minutes drive) and Waihi (13 minutes drive) have a good selection of shops and cafes. There are other nearby country towns that are lovely to visit too.
We are a central location for those wanting to travel further to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, volcanic Rotorua, Hobbiton in Matamata and Hamilton City. Auckland is only 1.5 hours away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have satellite WIFI and areas for laptop use.
Space for parking camper vans
We have carpark that can accommodate up to a medium sized camper.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (8)
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The property itself is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by nature, which made our stay so peaceful. Their dog, Piper, and Echo, the magpie, only added to the charm, making our time there even more enjoyable and unique.
The area is full of beautiful walks… read more
If you need help with a building project or the like, he’d be a great asset to have around.
