Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2025
Reply rate
80.7 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
28
Email verified
Badges (3)
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Details
Description
We are Adam and Fran and we live on a large lifestyle block 126 acres near Waipu which is mainly native forest. We have lived here for six years and love the feeling of remoteness while still being only 15 minutes drive from both the village and the beach. Adam works remotely from home and I run a small beekeeping business. We have two grown up children living overseas, 3 dogs, two cats, a small herd of cows, chickens, and bees. Currently we are establishing a wetland planting, rebuilding a large potting shed, and are at the beginning stages of establishing a food forest.
We have also recently bought a macadamia orchard 2 minutes walk from the beach in Omapere on the Hokianga Harbour. The place is basic and the area is stunningly beautiful. You can swim or walk along the beach to the local shops. There are some fantastic walks and places to explore.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be treated like part of the family and included in all our activities. There will be the opportunity to learn about wetland restoration, livestock and, if you are interested seeing what is inside a beehive and learning about beekeeping.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need help with weeding, gardening and planting trees depending on the season. There is also some farm help so building and woodwork skills would also be great.
In Omapere we need help to paint and fix up the holiday home and clear the orchard.
Languages spoken
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Accommodation
We have a comfortable sleep out, so you can have your own space separate from the house but will share the bathroom and living facilities with us. We produce our own meat, eggs and honey and are happy to cook and share our food with you.
I have just added three photos from Omapere where we have a holiday home. Accommodation there is very basic and there is also the opportunity to camp in a 10 acre Macadamia orchard. Camping gear will be provided.
What else ...
We have beautiful beaches and good walks in the area. There are also caves nearby. We have kayaks which you can borrow to explore the local estuaries and rivers.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Lots of parking on the farm, and ideal when working at the bach up north where beds are limited.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Host ref number: 763532454825
Feedback (12)
14 Apr 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Adam)
Adam stayed with us for two weeks and was easy going and great fun to have around. During his visit he helped with a small construction job, did some gardening and some renovation in the holiday home and we are very pleased with the results. He was happy to learn and did everything that was asked of him and worked hard. He was very flexible with… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Adam) for host
Staying at Adam and Fran’s was absolutely fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for a better first Workaway experience. It really felt like staying with family, I felt so at home so fast. My main work was a building project with Adam which was a lot of fun but I also got to work with bees, process my own honey, make candles, do some gardening work and… read more
4 Mar 2025
Left by Workawayer (Jian Ping) for host
The best place for first workaway experience! During my stay, there were two other Workawayers, and both Fran and Adam were great at welcoming us in. We had done weeding and helped out in the garden - also spent some days baking and cooking in the kitchen. Had a good time learning and playing card games after dinner. Fran also opened some of her… read more
3 Mar 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Jian Ping)
J. P. stayed for 10 days and was happy to do any task asked of her, which in early Autumn included a lot of weeding and clearing in the garden. She also helped me to bottle some honey and was careful in her work. She was keen to help out in the kitchen, producing some fantastic food and teaching me how to use tofu and lemongrass and we really… read more
(Excellent
)
3 Mar 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Thibault)
Thibault stayed with us for one week and during that week helped with a small construction job and we are very pleased with the results. He was happy to learn and did everything that was asked of him and he worked hard. He was very flexible with the hours that we asked him to work sometimes starting in the late afternoon to fit in with Adam, and… read more
(Excellent
)
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
14 Apr 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Adam)
Adam stayed with us for two weeks and was easy going and great fun to have around. During his visit he helped with a small construction job, did some gardening and some renovation in the holiday home and we are very pleased with the results. He was happy to learn and did everything that was asked of him and worked hard. He was very flexible with… read more
(Excellent)
13 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Adam) for host
Staying at Adam and Fran’s was absolutely fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for a better first Workaway experience. It really felt like staying with family, I felt so at home so fast. My main work was a building project with Adam which was a lot of fun but I also got to work with bees, process my own honey, make candles, do some gardening work and… read more
4 Mar 2025
Left by Workawayer (Jian Ping) for host
The best place for first workaway experience! During my stay, there were two other Workawayers, and both Fran and Adam were great at welcoming us in. We had done weeding and helped out in the garden - also spent some days baking and cooking in the kitchen. Had a good time learning and playing card games after dinner. Fran also opened some of her… read more
3 Mar 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Jian Ping)
J. P. stayed for 10 days and was happy to do any task asked of her, which in early Autumn included a lot of weeding and clearing in the garden. She also helped me to bottle some honey and was careful in her work. She was keen to help out in the kitchen, producing some fantastic food and teaching me how to use tofu and lemongrass and we really… read more
(Excellent)
3 Mar 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Thibault)
Thibault stayed with us for one week and during that week helped with a small construction job and we are very pleased with the results. He was happy to learn and did everything that was asked of him and he worked hard. He was very flexible with the hours that we asked him to work sometimes starting in the late afternoon to fit in with Adam, and… read more
(Excellent)
2 Mar 2025
Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host
It was a pleasure staying with Fran and Adam and a wonderful first workaway experience. I was there with two other Workawayers and we were all welcomed into their family. I had the best time there! We shared lots of laughter and made fun memories playing cards. They showed us a lot of Waipu and always encouraged us to go and explore the town.… read more
2 Mar 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)
Anna stayed with us for ten days and was lovely and fun to have around. She worked extremely hard on every task that we asked her to do which in early Autumn included lots of weeding and clearing in the garden and she also cleaned my windows. Her work was thorough and she achieved great results. She is a great team player, supported our other… read more
(Excellent)
13 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Merle) for host
My two weeks with Fran and Adam were full of different tasks and activities. It was my first workaway and I couldn't have asked for a better start! From the first moment I felt like part of the family, including a lovely home and great meals at all times.
The work was varied so we didn't do the same thing all the time and you still have enough… read more
The work was varied so we didn't do the same thing all the time and you still have enough… read more
8 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Merle)
Merle stayed with us for two weeks and was fantastic, she worked extremely hard at all the tasks we asked her to do and was pleasant company.
While she was here she pruned my garden, cleared grass from trees in the orchard, painted an exterior wall of our holiday home and sanded and painted some windows. She also helped with the honey harvest… read more
While she was here she pruned my garden, cleared grass from trees in the orchard, painted an exterior wall of our holiday home and sanded and painted some windows. She also helped with the honey harvest… read more
(Excellent)
11 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Ruby)
Ruby stayed with us for two weeks and was extremely helpful around the kitchen always willing to help out with food preparation and other chores. She prepared some lovely vegan dishes and showed us how to use ingredients that we had never used before, which made having a vegan visitor much less daunting. While she was here she weeded and pruned my… read more
(Excellent)
11 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Ruby) for host
Work and learn! I learnt some techniques of doing things and knowledge of bee, cattle, plants...
Having fun and teamwork are also important. So grateful that they accommodated me at last minute and I got to meet another friendly traveler. So lucky that I have the opportunity to stay at both Waipu and Opononi, enjoyed hilltop and beach environment.… read more
Having fun and teamwork are also important. So grateful that they accommodated me at last minute and I got to meet another friendly traveler. So lucky that I have the opportunity to stay at both Waipu and Opononi, enjoyed hilltop and beach environment.… read more
31 Dec 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Moritz)
Moritz stayed for two weeks and helped us with a small construction project that looks great and we are very pleased with the results. Moritz enjoyed the construction and has some skills and we could leave him on his own to carry out a task. He was also happy to help out in the kitchen and cooked a couple of lovely meals. He is easy going and we… read more
(Excellent)
30 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Moritz) for host
I stayed with Fran and Adam for 2 wonderful weeks, filled with cool work, great food and lots of opportunities to explore the area with my workaway-mate.
My favorite project here was cutting and putting up a tin walling below the main house. This also involved putting up new wooden posts, pouring some cement and lots of screwing. Adam put in some… read more
My favorite project here was cutting and putting up a tin walling below the main house. This also involved putting up new wooden posts, pouring some cement and lots of screwing. Adam put in some… read more
15 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Jakob) for host
Adam and Fran are kind, helpful and always cooked a good dinner, which led to lively conversations. The work was interesting and after work there was also the opportunity to borrow the car and explore the wonderful surroundings. In addition to the beach and the Waipu Caves, I was also able to accompany Fran while she was beekeeping, which was very… read more
15 Dec 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Jakob)
Jacob stayed with us for one week and during that week helped with a small construction job which we are very pleased with the results. Although he came with little experience of building tools, he was happy to learn and did everything that was asked of him. We enjoyed his company and enthusiasm, always wanting to try new things and explore the… read more
(Excellent)
30 Nov 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Clémence & Lénaïg)
Clemence and Lenaïg stayed with us for two weeks and were great fun to have around. They worked extremely hard on every task that we asked them to do and in their free time produced some amazing food. Clem’s chocolate fondant is wonderful. Lena is strong and was happy to put on a bee-suit and help us move an apiary. I highly recommend these girls… read more
(Excellent)
30 Nov 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Emily)
Emily stayed with us for two weeks and was a lovely addition to the household. She worked extremely hard at all the tasks we asked her to do and was pleasant company. She fitted in extremely well with our other Workaway volunteers even though they were older and from a different country. Her tzatziki is the best that I have ever tasted! I highly… read more
(Excellent)
29 Nov 2024
Left by Workawayer (Emily) for host
I stayed with Fran and Adam for two weeks along with two french girls and had the best time. The jobs varied from gardening to strimming, painting and cleaning. They always made sure that we were happy and safe while working. The food was also amazing, I got to try so many different things and Fran always provided everything that we wanted. I felt… read more
15 Oct 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Mateusz)
Mateusz stayed for one week, is great fun and had us all laughing. He helped us clear land, tidy up our garage and weed and mulch in the garden. He was happy to do everything we asked him, took care and was thorough. I really appreciated that he designed and built a bee incubator for me and we really enjoyed his Polish evening with potato and… read more
(Excellent)
14 Oct 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Aritz)
Aritz stayed for two weeks and came at a busy time during the beekeeping season and was a huge help in the apiary. He did far more than was expected of him, worked extremely hard and I am very grateful for his help. As well as beekeeping he also helped to clear land and, weed and mulch in the garden. He is competent and we trusted him to drive the… read more
(Excellent)
6 Sep 2024
Left by Workawayer (Sachi) for host
I stayed at Adam and Fran's house for a week. That was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed working. Even if my English was not good enough, they explained everything in detail. That was a great time to spend with Fran and Adam and three energetic and cute dogs and two adorable cats and chikens and cows.
Also I'm interested in bee keeping.… read more
Also I'm interested in bee keeping.… read more
4 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Sachi)
Sachi stayed for a week and was a joy to host. She was enthusiastic and keen to go anywhere and experience the local area. She was happy to do any task asked of her, which in early Spring included a lot of weeding, which she carried out cheerfully and thoroughly and I am delighted with the results. She also helped me to bottle some honey and was… read more
(Excellent)
24 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Joseph) for host
Although my stay was short (one week), my time with Fran, Adam, and the dogs (Jack, Jenny, and Lucy) was spectacular! My main purpose for this workaway was to learn more about my new found passion of beekeeping, and might I say the experience I had with Fran was perfect. Fran provided a hands on approach (with her guidance where needed), and in… read more
24 Aug 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Joseph)
Joe stayed for a week and it was a pleasure to host him. He was great company and willing to help with any task that was given with energy and enthusiasm. He worked very hard and accomplished much more than was expected of him. He was interested in learning about bee keeping and was attentive, careful, gentle with the hives and gained knowledge… read more
(Excellent)
9 May 2024
Left by Workawayer (Marie & Moritz) for host
Staying with Fran and Adam for 2 weeks has been great. They are lovely people and we had lots of fun and interesting chats with them.
The work was hard sometimes but mostly manageable and if we couldn’t do something they found us a different task to make it easier on us.
We also really appreciated that Fran took the time to show us around Waipu.… read more
The work was hard sometimes but mostly manageable and if we couldn’t do something they found us a different task to make it easier on us.
We also really appreciated that Fran took the time to show us around Waipu.… read more
9 May 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Marie & Moritz)
Marie and Moritz are great fun and full of life. They stayed with us for two weeks and attempted every task that we asked them. During their stay they painted our caravan, cleaned windows, cleaned floors cleaned out and organised our cupboards ( I highly recommend this chore for this couple, my cupboards have never been so organised) but did find… read more
(Excellent)
15 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Amrei & Carla)
Carla and Amrei stayed with us for a week. They were enthusiastic, helpful and good company. They are excellent workers and worked hard on every task that we asked them to do; painting a sleepout, making a garden pathway, clearing weeds in the garden and planting and freeing native trees in a wetland area. They were both very thorough and took… read more
(Excellent)
14 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Amrei & Carla) for host
We stayed with Fran and Adam for one week and really enjoyed our time at their remote and lovely place. Both of them made us feel at home and welcome! They truly include you in their activities and know a lot about what you can do in the area. We loved their dogs and enjoyed being with the animals! Fran always made sure we had different tasks each… read more
