Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
15
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a sustainably designed, rural property on the edge of a protected wetland of regional significance in the lower North Island of New Zealand. We have fully organic domestic vegetable gardens, a small orchard, and firewood trees in addition to the wetland margin and native replanting. The main house is a new, sustainably designed building using solar and wood fired water heating. It has magical calm and tranquility.
We are a same-sex couple who both work in education, have traveled to many places in New Zealand and overseas and enjoy the company of others. We enjoy cooking (our guests tell us the meals we provide are very good) and can cater for vegans, vegetarians or omnivores. Our interests and general knowledge are broad and we love meeting new people who care about the planet.
We are five minutes from the Ōtaki rail station and inland from the coast. It is a one hour drive to Wellington city, and between 10 and 20 minutes from beaches at Ōtaki, Pekapeka and Waikanae. Having your own transport is good but we can collect you from bus or train stations. It is about a 30 minute walk to the nearest shop.
We are happy for visitors (I person or 2) to stay up to 4 nights (but can be longer by negotiation) and will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation in exchange for 4-5 hours each help per day. We appreciate non-smoking, visitors who want to learn about New Zealand birds and plants, organic gardening and sustainability, or who want quiet, reflective time after their work is done.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have many books about New Zealand plants and birds and knowledge about wetlands and their importance but also can talk about New Zealand history, literature, and poetry. We do preserving of fruit, berries and vegetables and focus on eating and cooking seasonally from the property. We are constantly exploring how to become more sustainable - you may have great ideas to help with that - and really enjoy learning about new approaches to cooking. We keep a well stocked spice and sauce cupboard and grow a range of fresh herbs.
Help
We are looking for help with general property maintenance: firewood work (cutting, stacking, moving), wetland development (weeding and replanting), domestic vegetable garden and orchard work, as well as domestic chores such as house maintenance (window washing, repainting, home handy person repairs). We sometimes require DIY skills for small retaining walls, chicken coops, potting shed areas.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a private, stand alone cottage with a renovated bathroom, a gas stovetop and microwave cooking facilities, which located beside the main house. It has one double bed and a sofa bed as well as a table and chairs and decks with views into the orchard and beyond. We provide food for you to make your own breakfasts - and you can tell us what you like - and provide a hot meal with us in the house at night. Lunch is usually provided but sometimes you may need to make your own if we are both out at midday. There is wireless internet access in the cottage.
What else ...
In your time off on weekdays, there is no easy off-property transport other than your own feet. In the weekends we can take visits to the local market, the local beach, or short local forest walks.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The internet connection at the property is wireless and can occasionally be weaker at times of local peak demand. There is no fibre cabling in this area yet.
Space for parking camper vans
There is a flat parking pad halfway up the drive where a reasonably large camper can be parked. It is some distance from the cottage and full ablutions and power can only be supplied via an outdoor extension cord in dry weather.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
It was a joy to share such wonderful food, conversation and laughter. The cottage was so cosy, and we really valued having our own space, especially after such a long time travelling.
We had everything we could have wanted; the work was varied, engaging… read more
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)
It was a joy to share such wonderful food, conversation and laughter. The cottage was so cosy, and we really valued having our own space, especially after such a long time travelling.
We had everything we could have wanted; the work was varied, engaging… read more
We only can highly recommend this beautiful workaway.
The most lovely people,
the most delicious food,
the most cosy house,
the most impressive garden with an amazing view.
All together made us feel like we are in paradise. We had so many heart warming conversations and learned so much about NZ, the nature,… read more
I stayed in their wonderful little cottage and helped out three days in the garden.
They have included me in their daily activities and were happy to answer any questions I had. It was lovely having fascinating conversations about their work, life and the workings of New Zealand.
The… read more
The house is just beautiful, with a gorgeous garden… read more
Wonderful person, beautiful space!
