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Experience beautiful rural living and the outdoors near Auckland, New Zealand
Last activity
: 5 Aug 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 2 days
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 353929472418
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Feedback (4)
Left by Workawayer (Tucker) for host
Home away from home.
I spent about two months with Bruce and Louise at their lovely home and farm on the North Island. My stay with them was everything I had hoped for—and more!
After five months of backpacking through Asia I was seeking a place to rest and recharge while eagerly contributing to and sharing in a cultural exchange. I was lucky
… read more enough to be welcomed by this lovely couple and their family, who were incredibly hospitable and helped me feel right at home.
Louise and Bruce provided me with my own lovely room and bathroom, many incredibly delicious meals to fatten me up, wonderful guidance and education on farm living, and the most grounding, family feeling company. I spent most of my days outside enjoying sunshine and fresh air working on the farm with Bruce or in the garden with Louise. They’re never short on tasks and jobs to be done: I helped construct a fence in the paddock, drive the quad, feed the Moos (cows) their hay, remove noxious weeds, prune trees, and plant trees. On rainy and stormy days, I did what I could outside, like chopping wood, before heading indoors for vacuuming, cleaning, and other jobs around the house. I also helped clean the cottage and prepare it for incoming guests, sometimes with help from Bruce and/or Louise, and at times on my own.
As mentioned earlier, I was fed well, very well, and no doubt gained a few pounds and curves as a result. This was in addition to having the freedom to cook as I pleased in their gorgeous, spacious kitchen, along with the responsibility of making muesli and cooking perhaps once per week for the three of us. This, however, was a very flexible arrangement, and I was glad to do it.
Generously, Bruce and Louise took very good care of me and made sure my needs were always met—providing any groceries I asked for (within reason, of course), time to rest when I needed it, and time to study, as I was a student during my stay with them. Agreeing on a schedule was easy and remained consistent, to my gratitude. I’d work on farm/garden/house duties in the mornings from about 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (roughly), with a famous and relished smoko (tea, crackers, cheese, and fruit) break at 10:30 a.m. each day without fail! These smoko breaks were the genesis of many of my most fond and happiest memories during my time with my hosts. Often we’d sit out on the porch, gazing over the glorious sun-bathed, rolling, glimmering, grassy farmland that is North Pukekohe. Sometimes sitting in comfortable silence, sometimes in raucous laughter, and other times in pleasant and meaningful conversation. I made sure not to take it for granted. My time with Bruce and Louise was some of the most fulfilling of my travels.
With no shortage of jobs I was easily able to work off the calories I so quickly accumulated. What I found most comforting was Bruce and Louise’s ability to meet me at my energy level and give me physical work I was fit to do. I was eager to take on whatever they needed; spraying the roof, climbing onto a pergola for pruning, hedge trimming with tools and machinery, etc. A fun part of working on the farm was the creative way we approached jobs, often using extra-curricular means for a job well done. Be ready for it! Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty— this is a great place to do it. With that said, you don’t have to be like me. Bruce and Louise are incredibly accommodating and will give you tasks that suit your strengths. They’re kind and easy to communicate with, so don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Remember, it all works best when we share what we know.
Speaking of accommodating, Louise even lent me her car for a few trips of my own up to Auckland! She very kindly gave me the chance to connect with the Deaf community in the city, which turned out to be one of the most remarkable highlights of my time in New Zealand.
I’ve said a lot, and I have just a bit more I feel I ought to share. Louise and Bruce’s family is fantastic, and made my two months in New Zealand feel more like visiting family than working for my keep. I was often invited on hikes and mini adventures, and I joined Louise at church a couple of times to help serve tea. Bruce would bring home delicious pies for lunch— along with a good laugh. Each Wednesday was known as Huddy Day, when their grandson Hudson would come over for the day. I made a great new friend in Hudson and was even fortunate enough to be invited to his and his parents’ Batch (a home in the woods) for a weekend away. The entire family is incredibly kind. I also got to meet Bruce’s friendly brother, Andy, when he stayed with us for a couple of weeks. During that time, we had an exciting expedition out on their boat for a night, fishing and taking a brisk dip in Man o’ War Bay off the island of Waiheke. It was great fun.
In the evenings at home, we’d enjoy a warm fire, cards, tea (Bruce likes it hot!), a crossword, and the lovely, affectionate company of dogs Prillie and Django, and the cat, Tigger. I could not have asked for a more pleasant experience for my first Workaway opportunity.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my gushing about this Workaway experience and I hope you get to enjoy what I did!
Many massive thanks to Bruce and Louise. I’ll surely return.Left by host for Workawayer (Tucker)
Tucker spent 2 months with us helping on our small farm. We thoroughly enjoyed his easygoing personality and he was a thorough worker . He was happy to tackle any physical task and did it well and with enjoyment . He loved to play games at night or help with the crossword and he was a help with our 4year old grandson who straight away warmed to
… read more him. He has some cooking skills and took over the breadmaking and muesli making task and the occasional meal.
Charlotte is a pleasant girl with a good grasp of English. She is an excellent worker and neat and tidy. Charlotte is a quiet girl but she is a good card player and we enjoyed lots of card games together
I spent a month with Louise and Bruce and was welcomed right from the start. It was nice that my friend, even though she didn't have workaway, was also welcome and could spend 2 weeks there with me.
The accommodation was very comfortable and the surroundings were beautiful. The work was very varied - gardening, house-sitting and housework.
A
… read more special highlight was the hike with an overnight stay in a hut and the days with the other workawayers, Judith and Baptiste.
I am very grateful for this time and can recommend it to anyone!
Left by Workawayer (Judith & Baptiste) for host
Bruce et Louise : We spent a month and a half in their homes. Everything went really well. They are extraordinary, generous people with a zest for life, who know how to welcome you and give you confidence. We shared many moments with them between walks with the animals, swimming, playing board games, outings and family meals. Regarding the work,
… read more it is diverse and interesting. In conclusion, we will say that it was a wonderful encounter and one that we hope to continue even in France. We recommend 100%.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Judith & Baptiste)
Judith and Baptiste were a delightful couple with sunny , positive natures. They came to us as their first workaway experience and Baptiste initially had very little English and Judith had a moderate amount. However with patience and perseverance they soon had an adequate grasp of the english language spoken with a new Zealand accent. They were
… read more always ready for breakfast and work at the prescribed hour and showed initiative and commitment to the jobs required. We enjoyed their stay.Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by Workawayer (Tucker) for host
Home away from home.
I spent about two months with Bruce and Louise at their lovely home and farm on the North Island. My stay with them was everything I had hoped for—and more!
After five months of backpacking through Asia I was seeking a place to rest and recharge while eagerly contributing to and sharing in a cultural exchange. I was lucky
… read more enough to be welcomed by this lovely couple and their family, who were incredibly hospitable and helped me feel right at home.
Louise and Bruce provided me with my own lovely room and bathroom, many incredibly delicious meals to fatten me up, wonderful guidance and education on farm living, and the most grounding, family feeling company. I spent most of my days outside enjoying sunshine and fresh air working on the farm with Bruce or in the garden with Louise. They’re never short on tasks and jobs to be done: I helped construct a fence in the paddock, drive the quad, feed the Moos (cows) their hay, remove noxious weeds, prune trees, and plant trees. On rainy and stormy days, I did what I could outside, like chopping wood, before heading indoors for vacuuming, cleaning, and other jobs around the house. I also helped clean the cottage and prepare it for incoming guests, sometimes with help from Bruce and/or Louise, and at times on my own.
As mentioned earlier, I was fed well, very well, and no doubt gained a few pounds and curves as a result. This was in addition to having the freedom to cook as I pleased in their gorgeous, spacious kitchen, along with the responsibility of making muesli and cooking perhaps once per week for the three of us. This, however, was a very flexible arrangement, and I was glad to do it.
Generously, Bruce and Louise took very good care of me and made sure my needs were always met—providing any groceries I asked for (within reason, of course), time to rest when I needed it, and time to study, as I was a student during my stay with them. Agreeing on a schedule was easy and remained consistent, to my gratitude. I’d work on farm/garden/house duties in the mornings from about 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (roughly), with a famous and relished smoko (tea, crackers, cheese, and fruit) break at 10:30 a.m. each day without fail! These smoko breaks were the genesis of many of my most fond and happiest memories during my time with my hosts. Often we’d sit out on the porch, gazing over the glorious sun-bathed, rolling, glimmering, grassy farmland that is North Pukekohe. Sometimes sitting in comfortable silence, sometimes in raucous laughter, and other times in pleasant and meaningful conversation. I made sure not to take it for granted. My time with Bruce and Louise was some of the most fulfilling of my travels.
With no shortage of jobs I was easily able to work off the calories I so quickly accumulated. What I found most comforting was Bruce and Louise’s ability to meet me at my energy level and give me physical work I was fit to do. I was eager to take on whatever they needed; spraying the roof, climbing onto a pergola for pruning, hedge trimming with tools and machinery, etc. A fun part of working on the farm was the creative way we approached jobs, often using extra-curricular means for a job well done. Be ready for it! Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty— this is a great place to do it. With that said, you don’t have to be like me. Bruce and Louise are incredibly accommodating and will give you tasks that suit your strengths. They’re kind and easy to communicate with, so don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Remember, it all works best when we share what we know.
Speaking of accommodating, Louise even lent me her car for a few trips of my own up to Auckland! She very kindly gave me the chance to connect with the Deaf community in the city, which turned out to be one of the most remarkable highlights of my time in New Zealand.
I’ve said a lot, and I have just a bit more I feel I ought to share. Louise and Bruce’s family is fantastic, and made my two months in New Zealand feel more like visiting family than working for my keep. I was often invited on hikes and mini adventures, and I joined Louise at church a couple of times to help serve tea. Bruce would bring home delicious pies for lunch— along with a good laugh. Each Wednesday was known as Huddy Day, when their grandson Hudson would come over for the day. I made a great new friend in Hudson and was even fortunate enough to be invited to his and his parents’ Batch (a home in the woods) for a weekend away. The entire family is incredibly kind. I also got to meet Bruce’s friendly brother, Andy, when he stayed with us for a couple of weeks. During that time, we had an exciting expedition out on their boat for a night, fishing and taking a brisk dip in Man o’ War Bay off the island of Waiheke. It was great fun.
In the evenings at home, we’d enjoy a warm fire, cards, tea (Bruce likes it hot!), a crossword, and the lovely, affectionate company of dogs Prillie and Django, and the cat, Tigger. I could not have asked for a more pleasant experience for my first Workaway opportunity.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my gushing about this Workaway experience and I hope you get to enjoy what I did!
Many massive thanks to Bruce and Louise. I’ll surely return.Left by host for Workawayer (Tucker)
Tucker spent 2 months with us helping on our small farm. We thoroughly enjoyed his easygoing personality and he was a thorough worker . He was happy to tackle any physical task and did it well and with enjoyment . He loved to play games at night or help with the crossword and he was a help with our 4year old grandson who straight away warmed to
… read more him. He has some cooking skills and took over the breadmaking and muesli making task and the occasional meal.
Charlotte is a pleasant girl with a good grasp of English. She is an excellent worker and neat and tidy. Charlotte is a quiet girl but she is a good card player and we enjoyed lots of card games together
I spent a month with Louise and Bruce and was welcomed right from the start. It was nice that my friend, even though she didn't have workaway, was also welcome and could spend 2 weeks there with me.
The accommodation was very comfortable and the surroundings were beautiful. The work was very varied - gardening, house-sitting and housework.
A
… read more special highlight was the hike with an overnight stay in a hut and the days with the other workawayers, Judith and Baptiste.
I am very grateful for this time and can recommend it to anyone!
Left by Workawayer (Judith & Baptiste) for host
Bruce et Louise : We spent a month and a half in their homes. Everything went really well. They are extraordinary, generous people with a zest for life, who know how to welcome you and give you confidence. We shared many moments with them between walks with the animals, swimming, playing board games, outings and family meals. Regarding the work,
… read more it is diverse and interesting. In conclusion, we will say that it was a wonderful encounter and one that we hope to continue even in France. We recommend 100%.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Judith & Baptiste)
Judith and Baptiste were a delightful couple with sunny , positive natures. They came to us as their first workaway experience and Baptiste initially had very little English and Judith had a moderate amount. However with patience and perseverance they soon had an adequate grasp of the english language spoken with a new Zealand accent. They were
… read more always ready for breakfast and work at the prescribed hour and showed initiative and commitment to the jobs required. We enjoyed their stay.
Left by Workawayer (Tito) for host
Most welcoming family of the Southern Hemisphere !
That was my first big travel in a foreign country, and even if I couldn't go further than in NZ from France, I felt like at home. I can now talk in english with any random Kiwi and i've learnt a lot of farming skills but the most wonderful thing I found in that house was this joyful couple !
I'll
… read more try to keep a bit of that for my return in France.Left by host for Workawayer (Tito)
Tito stayed 6 weeks with us on our small farm . He has an excellent work ethic and always does his very best. He was always ready to help and was quiet and pleasant company. I highly recommend him
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