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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
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Description
We have a lifestyle block 20 minutes out of Tauranga, dedicated to sustainability and self-sufficiency with sheep, chickens, and a dog, Voddy,
There is no access by public transport, but we can arrange to pick you up from Tauranga.
We are hobby fruit wine makers, not commercial in any way, and can teach wine making skills, mostly in autumn, as well as share our experiences in organic gardening, vegetable and fruit preservation, bottling, and drying as well as turning fruit, sugar and water into wine, it's not a miracle, just time-consuming work :-).
To introduce ourselves we are an out and proud gay couple, who celebrated 20 years together in August 2019.
Formally, Colin Hewens (Col) and Stephen Richardson (Steve). We have both traveled to many places and received great hospitality. We see being Workaway hosts as our payback.
UPDATE NOV 2022,
Last Christmas Col's hip started to deteriorate, and he is now virtually house bound on a Walker, this means we have even more need for helpers from Workaway, It is getting too tough for Steve to manage the 0,86 Ha section alone, and without a steady supply of workawayers we will have to sell and get a smaller place,
Update Jan 5th, 2023.
Sorry for the late notice, I had thought I added this late December 2022.
We have been booked in for Colin's Hip replacement on February the 7th. An earlier appointment on 10th Jan was cancelled as both of us caught Covid Mid December. Apparently, we need to be two months clear of Covid before the op. So, we have gone into voluntary lockdown until the 7th of Feb, meaning even our best friends have been excluded from visiting inside the house, and Steve's mother does a R.A.T. test before her weekly visit.
Update June 3rd 2023.
The hip replacement operation went well, and Col was getting some mobility again, when Steve had an accident while taking a rouge Taiwanese cherry tree out. A large branch didn't go as intended and swung around to hit Steve's right knee, knocking him off the step ladder, and onto his back. He has been in hospital for two weeks, resting at home with no weight on his broken leg for the last three weeks, and is due at the hospital on the 8th for an X-ray and hopefully to be able to start weight bearing and physio.
Update July 25 2023
Just had a cancellation, which has created a spot for someone for a week from any time from now until the 30th, and then from the 1st to the 14th August.
August update
We had a glitch with our page going off-line, which we hope is now sorted out. We have a place late August early September.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Permaculture principles, organic gardening and wine making. Pest eradication from NZ forests, [we have been involved with a 300 Ha pest free zone in the Kaimai,] low carbon living.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Whatever season, we are busy clearing gardens and prepare for the next season, as well as occasionally making fruit wines, mainly in autumn, and bottling it, which is a non-commercial hobby activity.
We need a couple of strong young guys to help us in the firewood block, where we usually have felled a gum or two, to cut into rounds and stack to dry for the next winter's heating.
The property is one of the better examples of self sufficiency you will have the opportunity to visit in NZ. Some nice worm farms have been re-constructed, solar PV panels and an electric car. You will be able to help with some weeding and tending the animals and small projects.
Also we are involved in organising a 300 Ha pest free zone in the Kaimai Mamaku State Forest Park, so you get an insiders view on possum, stoat and rat control up the end of the road.
We live simply, majoring in low carbon and a gentle footprint on earth. We mostly eat home grown produce. We are dairy free, making our own Oat/almond milk. if you can't live without cheese, you may care to bring some.
We love making new international friends from Workaway. However due to NZ laws we insist that you have a working holiday visa, as if you have an accident (God forbid) while working with us and needed medical attention we would all be in deep trouble, as you would have to pay for it, and we would be in trouble with the Labour Department.
If the weather is good, there is lots of interesting stuff to help us with.
In summer, we have so many requests we are sorry to have to turn down so many great people. It is best to book at least a month in advance if you would like to stay with us.
When you send us a request, you should use our names, then we know you have read our profile. We prefer two workers at a time.
There is no access by public transport.
We can teach wine making skills, mostly in autumn, as well as share our experiences in gardening, vegetable and fruit preservation, bottling, and drying as well as turning fruit, sugar and water into wine.
We hope you will have a choice of tasks to do for a minimum of four to five hours daily, in return for full board and homemade wine. :-) We like to have simple projects, such as a new chicken room, berry cage or sheep shelter so you have a sense of accomplishment. Then there's always weeding :-)
Food wise we can do vegetarian, vegan [with help] as well as home reared omnivorous catering. To sleep, you may have the spare double bedroom, or a pop-top camper outside or couch according to availability. We have broadband.
When you apply, mention Dogwood Green to show you read to the end :-) Bonus points
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Maori: Beginner
Thai: Beginner
Accommodation
Double bedroom for couples.
We also have an outside pop top camper for summer stays. A tad fresh in winter.
What else ...
We are a long way from public transport, so you really need your own vehicle, although there is a good swimming hole and 40 hectare patch of virgin NZ bush [forest] both within easy walking distance. We will also take good workers for local trips to beach and areas of interest.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a 1970s Pop top in our carport, which accommodates two singles on two potentially double bunks. Cold in winter, good in summers. We can locate it out onto our back lawn area. Room for a self contained Campervan or two, in sheep paddock near our road entrance.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, for each day stayed.
Feedback (10)
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
Colin and Steve have so many interesting and funny stories to share, so we learned a lot in our stay with them.
They taught us about the local Puketoki Reserve and shared many of their… read more
Better than all the rest" - Tina Turner
I had one of the best weeks staying with Colin and Steve. I had my own very comfortable room, lovely dog to pet and amazing food every single meal :) What else you could want? Oh wait, Steve and Colin can offer you more - their company - they have so many interesting stories to tell… read more
We wanted to thank you for this great experience, it was our first volunteering. We were delighted with his sustainable lifestyle and attention. We regret not having been able to share more time with Steve, we hope he recovers soon. We will miss his dog Voddy, his delicious food, his sweet wines and his kindness despite our low… read more
thank you again for hosting and welcoming us in your lovely Dogwood green piece of earth. We really enjoyed the week with you two and of course your lovely dog Voddy. We always ate delicious food and drank homemade wine. They told us a lot about there way of life, we could learn much about a dairy free way of living and how… read more
We mostly helped them out with some gardening and log splitting. We really enjoyed the company of Colin and Steve and their adorable dog. Thanks so much again guys for having us and all the best! Hopefully we'll see you again soon! :)
