Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
27 May 2025
Reply rate
65.4 %
Usually responds within 7 days
Feedback
5
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Tim and I have started a brand new permaculture garden on half an acre surrounded by native trees, sea and mountain views. We are looking to grow all our own organic food; veggies and fruit.
We used to own the Raglan Backpackers and Raglan Surfing School, so we love meeting people from all over the world . We have both traveled a lot ourselves so will like hearing your travel stories.
My passion is organic gardening, and Tim's is surfing. We both have studied meditation, yoga and alternative health. We would love to welcome you to our beautiful little eco town.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Farmstay help
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Raglan is famous for all its cool eco initiatives, many of which we have been part of. I am happy to introduce you to these organisations or tell you about them. Also keen to share info about growing your own food and how to grow really healthy plants (eg compost making, seed cultivation).
I am also part of the local community garden, farmers market, and crop swap. And a cool thing called Timebank so happy to share info about these too.
And Tim can give you the low down on anything water related! like where to surf and on what tide.
And in your time off there are lovely beach and bush walks right from our door. We have a bike we can loan you to get around, and I am happy to take you to town for shopping (we're an 8 min drive from the centre of town, along the coast where the waves are :) )
Help
I would love some help in the garden. We can work together so you don't necessarily have to have had a lot of gardening experience, but I think you will need to be interested in learning about gardening and growing food.
We will be weeding , watering, mulching, pruning, harvesting, planting out seedlings, maybe some cleaning and or creating new structures around the garden.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I am keen to learn a bit of basic Spanish or Italian :)
Accommodation
Our usual accommodation has someone living in it long term, so I have set up a small cabin in the garden as a bedroom, Its lined and insulated, with a single bed, cabinets and a bookcase (with lots of books!) . Its cute and cosy but nothing fancy. If there were two of you , you might want to borrow our tent or use your own, or sleep in your own van
The cabin also has your kitchen its tiny! But has a hotplate, little fridge, air fryer, kettle and toaster, and an outside sink. There is also an large outside picnic table, our wwoofers usually plug in the extension cord and cook outside.
There is also just an outside compost loo, and shower. So its pretty basic! More like camping.
Thats why we are only asking for 12 hrs help per week per person.
We don't live at the garden (we are just down the road 5mins away) so we will let you sort your own food, but you are welcome to any ripe veggies from the garden , and herbs to make your dinner, and teas. The cabin has some basic cooking supplies like oil and spices.
What else ...
Raglan is so much fun! Loads of water sport options (surfing, kayaks, paddle boarding , all for rent in town). Town has lots of interesting cafes and shops, its the home of over 50 artists so there are plenty of art galleries to explore. Theres a great skate park, and a good music scene with live music each week.
I am happy to pick you up from the bus stop (catch Hamilton -Raglan bus) and bring you for shopping trips, and we have a bike to borrow during your stay, or hitch hiking is very common in Raglan. its a great way to meet locals!
As you can tell I just love Raglan, and hope to share any local knowledge I can.
We tend to work in the mornings at the garden, and the afternoons you can make the most of surfing Raglan's famous points, walking the beach, hiking the mountain, that kind of thing. Or head to town (very common to hitch hike here if you don't have a car) and explore all the cool creative shops and art galleries Raglan has to offer
Any questions, please just ask,
cheers,
Suz
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
all size of vans welcome, its a nice level spot right in the garden
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (4)
Approaching Suz and Tim we were crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. Turned out absolutely amazing! What a wonderful people Suz & Tim are. We had an amazing time working in such a tranquil garden… read more
They came for 2 weeks and stayed for months. We were all so happy with the exchange
They are both very practical, hard working, kind, interesting, and have excellent work ethics
They helped me with all sorts of projects in the garden, from planting seedlings to building plant climbing… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Approaching Suz and Tim we were crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. Turned out absolutely amazing! What a wonderful people Suz & Tim are. We had an amazing time working in such a tranquil garden… read more
They came for 2 weeks and stayed for months. We were all so happy with the exchange
They are both very practical, hard working, kind, interesting, and have excellent work ethics
They helped me with all sorts of projects in the garden, from planting seedlings to building plant climbing… read more
