Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 Mar 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
56
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Details
Description
Currently booked through to April
We live on a small lifestyle block of 2 acres about 16km from Hamilton city outskirts with our young adult and school aged children. We have older children and grandchildren living in Ireland and the UK, as well as here in NZ. We are a retired couple and have hosted travelers for 16 years. We have had wonderful experiences with the many different people from varied cultures who have stayed and helped us during their travels.
We have a sheep, some hens, gardens and a small orchard. Our pets are one dog and a cat.
HEALTH PRECAUTION:
We are unable to have anyone stay who is a smoker or Vaper.
General Safety Precaution. Upon arrival visitors will be asked to show some identity, (passport maybe) and a contact phone number if available. Not only does this confirm your details but also because we have had past experiences where visitors have had emergencies (ie: getting lost, vehicle problems or medical issues), and we need to provide details to emergency workers so they can provide helpTypes of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There are hiking trails in the Hakarimata Ranges (part of the Te Araroa Trail), where you can see glow worms at night or climb the steps (1349 of them) to the summit during the day, as well as cycling/hiking trails along the Waikato River (Te Awa River Ride), both just a few kilometres from our home and the smaller Paa site on Pukeahua hill provides an easier climb with great views too.
Bicycles are normally available to help you explore locally.
If you have your own transport the World Famous surf beach at Raglan is a 40 minute car ride, Hamilton city is 20 minutes from the local town of Ngaruawahia and the Waitomo caves and Hobbiton are an hour away. We are 5 kilometres from town where the number 21 bus travels regularly to and from Hamilton. We can collect bus travelers from the local bus stop in Ngaruawahia.
And if you need help with New Zealand Slang you could cut and paste the following link into your browser: facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=xfxF2i&rdid=1fnmOzQu0zP0IZpP&v=2044505295924683Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Currently the fruit is ripe on the trees. We need help now picking and preserving this fruit for winter.
This task would suit working one day picking and preserving and then taking the next day until you had worked 3 full days. This gives you 4 days each week to explore the areas.
We always have ongoing tasks which, depending on the seasons, can include help in the gardens (weeding, pruning, planting, mulching, grass cutting, harvesting, preserving), cutting/pruning trees, chopping firewood, painting/renovating, building projects, as well as the always present household chores.
We do expect that those who eat meals assist with the preparation and cleanup as appropriate each day.
We appreciate people staying who are self motivated, have initiative, able to help with minimum supervision and who take pride in a task well done.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a separate basic cabin near the house with a double and a single bed. The living areas and the shared bathroom facilities are in the house.
We do have cellphone and Wifi coverage. We can collect you from the Ngaruawahia bus stop.What else ...
If unable to get a national ticket (If bussing many use Intercity.co.nz ) direct to Ngaruawahia then at the Hamilton bus depot people can catch the local No 21 bus to Ngaruawahia. From there we can collect you.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Up to 9 meters in length. Plenty of room to turn. Power available
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (28)
What really made the experience special was the kindness and generosity of everyone. They always made sure I was feeling… read more
We would happily have him back and recommend him for his overall attitude and great work ethics.
We wish him well on all his travels.
The location is great if you are interested in Maori culture, I even visited the Maori festival that was happening at the time.
Everything was great, thanks again for everything.
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
What really made the experience special was the kindness and generosity of everyone. They always made sure I was feeling… read more
We would happily have him back and recommend him for his overall attitude and great work ethics.
We wish him well on all his travels.
The location is great if you are interested in Maori culture, I even visited the Maori festival that was happening at the time.
Everything was great, thanks again for everything.
We had a great experience staying with Don and Davina and their family. They are a very laid back couple who give a lot of freedom to the workawayers staying with them. The cabin was private and gave us space to relax… read more
Our kids really liked playing board games with her when they could and she was a thoroughly lovely person to have in our home.
We would recommend her to any host she asks to work with.
Tasks were tackled with enthusiasm and they had to be reminded to take time for themselves.
We wish them well in their travels.
Regards
Don and Davina
For work, I did 4 hours a day, although some really hot days they let me rest some more. I weeded in the garden and in their farm… read more
Don gave me a little introduction in the construction Terms before I started my job in Hamilton. we built a Deck and a Pergola together and it was so fun.
The dinners were awesome and pretty delicious. It seems like here is everybody welcome and it doesn't matter how… read more
The work was varied, not too strenuous, and I was able to have lots of free time to explore the area as well as hanging out with the children!
Recommended. Thanks!
(Sorry for the late feedback!)
thanks for a great time.
PS. I hope Davina will… read more
My advice to anyone wishing to have a good time , recover a home to thousands of kilometers and living with caring people nice, and… read more
We spend a week there and we felt like home. The whole family was very lovely and everytime in a good mood. The work was esay and very flexible. Hope we see us again. Thanks for everything :).
Marie&Berenike
The whole family is just really friendly, always in a good mood, funny and enthusiastic! I had great days chopping wood, playing with the awesome energetic kids, swimming and in the river, going hiking etc.. if you enjoy being with many people, like children,… read more
This was my first experience as a workawayer and it was just perfect.
thank… read more
Don and Davina, and every child in their home are great, funny, and relaxed. It is a great family!
We stayed for 1½ week, and we felt very welcome all the time. They helped us out a lot with various things, and we were always welcome to join the family for a nice cup… read more
He also planted out some of the winter vegetables in the garden. Sorry about the rainy weather, at least the sun shone occassionly.
Thanks for your help Kirran and enjoy the rest of your travels.
Don and Davina are great hosts, we always had lovely conversations together, the food was good, the internet connection is a way better than I thought and my little cabin was clean and nice to stay in despite it was… read more