Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
13 Sep 2026
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Reply rate
87.5 %
Usually responds within 5 days
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Feedback
23
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Email verified
Badges (2)
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Details
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Description
We bought our property just over four years ago - it's a 2.5 acre section with a large overgrown garden. We soon realised how much work it is to get the garden back to the standard that we would love! We live a 10 minute drive from Rangiora and 35 minutes from Christchurch. There is no public transport from our house (and it is difficult to walk to the nearest township as there is no footpath and it is a 100km/h road) but we are happy to help with pick up/drop off from Christchurch or Rangiora (depending on schedules).
It’s myself (40), my husband (44) and my parents in law (in their 70’s). We have two dogs - a chocolate lab (Truffles) who is a bit naughty and likes to jump and a Japanese spitz (Lily). We also have a 'wild' cat called Neko. When I say that Truffles is naughty - she likes to eat everything so we request you keep your bedroom and bathroom door closed so she can’t browse your belongings! With Truffles around, say goodbye to personal space as she will want to be with you all the time 😊
We both work full time so we are away from the property Monday-Friday roughly 6:00am-5:00pm. My parents in law are generally home most days. The house is two storey and you would have your own room (double bed or king single) and generally the sole use of a bathroom (dependent on how many Workaway’ers we have staying). The house was built in the 1990's and is single glazed so it can get cold. The power in this area is very expensive so we request that you are conscious with your power use (such as avoiding excessively long showers, not using washing machine during peak times etc).
The grounds would have been amazing in their day - but they have been let go and have gone a bit wild. The tasks could involve shovelling mulch/wood chip, cutting kindling/firewood, cutting trees/tree suckers/branches (from ground level not needing a ladder), weeding, digging holes to plant more trees and general clearing of overgrown stuff (weeds, ivy, blackberry bramble, wild rose etc), mowing lawns. If raining, we will suggest indoor tasks such as cooking, cleaning, organising etc. We eat a lot of vegan/vegetarian meals with occasional meat meals.
You might be working by yourself all day. We do try vary the tasks and will generally provide a task list to complete over your stay to try minimise the repetition of tasks.
As long as you complete your house, we can often be flexible on days/times that you work - sometimes there might be times where you can work extra in a day and then take that time off on another day.
Please message if you have any questions :) -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live close enough to Christchurch yet also live rurally meaning the best of both worlds - city and country. We love to learn about different cultures, languages and ways of living.
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Help
Hours expected: 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Gardening, gardening and more gardening! We are looking for someone who is able to dig, shovel, plant, use basic gardening tools. Cooking would also be a bonus! -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Beginner -
Accommodation
Two story house, own bedroom. Bathroom may be shared with any other Workaway’s. Happy to share cooking with us providing most meals.
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A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Truffles
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (22)
Penne always made sure we were comfortable with the work and thoughtfully … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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)
Penne always made sure we were comfortable with the work and thoughtfully … read more
I felt very welcomed by the whole family. Penne showed me around their beautiful house and property and everyone was always happy to answer me any questions I had.
I enjoyed to have done varied tasks throughout my stay. From wedding to chopping trees and taking wooden … read more
I stayed here for three weeks.
I'm really glad that my first Workaway experience was here.
They welcomed me warmly and were always kind throughout my stay.
Watching Japanese dramas together is a memory I will treasure.
The three dogs and one Neko were so friendly and always made me feel relaxed and … read more
I really enjoyed every day, they are all so lovely, kind and open-minded people.
I felt, like being a part of the family-life. I’m grateful about our evenings we spent together talking about all the world and watching series and films together, about playing rummykub … read more
The work was easy to manage!
After work in my free time I was able to relax in the wonderful garden. I highly recommend staying with them as especially the dogs were very cute. Thank you for the wonderful two weeks.
We ate some very good vegan food, especially at tea time and appreciated cooking sweeties for the family :)
The property is huge and beautiful. We were lucky … read more
I have stayed two times, I stayed about three weeks the first time. The second time is about two weeks.
I could stay so comfortable and relax. I was every day happy.
Their dogs are so cute. I throw the ball every day for truffle.
If I go to next time in NZ, I will definitely go to them's house and … read more
I stayed for almost two weeks but i would have happily stayed for much longer. Penne, Blair, Linda and Rob are just genuinely nice and happy people and staying here simply means having an absolutely great time. The work is fairly easy and pretty fun, the food is just … read more
They helped me when I had difficulty finding a host because of the bad time of the year.
I was not a good English speaker, but they spoke politely and patiently, and explained their work to me.
As the couple were away on work during the day, they explained the job to me first, but left me to … read more
As a part of a family they just fitted in and was a joy to have around. They were able to joke around and have a laugh yet also focus on any requested tasks.
I would recommend them for any further Workaways. Best wishes on your next … read more
Everybody treats you like you would be a part of the family.
We had amazing talks and funny times with Blair and Rob, but everybody is just awesome.
The work with rob around the property is just fun, we made a lot of jokes and had a good time.
The food is really really good.
Truffels (the dog) is so nice, and it's so … read more
I'm stoked to see you again. Thank you so much! ありがとう！
The job is not difficult and they are really open minded for the hours of working.
Robb did many jokes, but you can be sure that he’s the best joker of NZ, for sure 👌🏻. He makes me so laughing!
Little message for you guys:
Thank you so much for … read more
Work was good and I appreciated a lot to be involved in … read more
