Help create a permaculture food forest & be part of our family in Ōhau, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  We are a warm, creative, slightly chaotic family who loves nature, good food, being outdoors, and meeting people from around the world. We host Workawayers because we enjoy sharing our home, ideas, skills, and garden — and because we love the cultural exchange that naturally grows from living and working together.
  
  Just before Christmas we’re moving into our new home in Ōhau which is in Horowhenua, just north of the Kāpiti Coast: a nearly 1-hectare lifestyle block with paddock, trees, and huge potential. Our dream is to turn it into a permaculture-inspired food forest for our family and friends (not a business!). It’s a big, exciting project and we’d love you to be part of it.
  
  Alongside the garden work, you’ll also be part of our relaxed, near screen-free family rhythm and help spend afternoons with our 6-year-old daughter, who loves games, art, stories, and outdoor play.
  
  You’ll join us for family dinners every evening, take part in outings if you’d like, and enjoy plenty of time to relax in our two lounges or explore the area. This isn’t a hostel or a commercial farm where you live separate from the family — it’s a social, friendly home where you’ll be welcomed as part of our little community.
  Nau mai, haere mai!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Languages

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Technology

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With us, you’ll experience:
  
  --> daily life in a Kiwi-Taiwanese–German family
  
  --> a warm, social home with shared meals and conversation
  
  --> exposure to German, English, Te Reo, and sometimes Mandarin
  
  --> the beginnings of a real food forest
  
  --> homeschooling activities, nature play, and creative learning
  
  --> local outings (beach days, forest walks, geocaching, museum trips)
  
  -->the chance to meet other Workawayers from around the world
  
  You’re free to join us in our activities — or to head out and do your own thing. Both are completely fine.

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  Au Pair Help

  This host is looking for Au pair help.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We have two main types of help, and most Workawayers do a blend of both depending on what they enjoy. You are welcome to focus more on one type of work if that suits you better — just let us know.
  
  1. Afternoons with Our Daughter
  
  ~playing, crafting, building, reading
  
  ~outdoor adventures, creativity, imagination
  
  ~speaking with her in English, German, Mandarin, or Te Reo Māori (any is fine)
  
  ~giving her your attention while one parent is always home as backup
  
  She is curious, energetic, loving, and very excited to learn new things.
  
  2.Garden & Household Help
  
  Our lifestyle block is currently a mix of paddock and established ornamental trees. We are transforming it into a permaculture-based food forest, and there is plenty to do:
  
  ~digging and preparing garden beds
  
  ~identifying existing plants
  
  ~watering young trees and newly planted areas
  
  ~planting, weeding, mulching
  
  ~seasonal tasks (preserving food, processing firewood)
  
  ~cooking or sharing favourite recipes
  
  ~household tasks such as cleaning windows, cupboards, tidying areas
  
  ~enjoying the garden while working alongside us or other Workawayers
  
  Experience in gardening or permaculture is welcome but not required. Enthusiasm is enough.
  
  
  -->Hours & Schedule<--
  
  We ask for 25 hours per week, but we’re completely flexible about when these hours happen.
  
  We generally do not do early mornings — sleep-ins are welcome.
  
  Most help happens late morning through afternoon, ending with doing the dishes together.
  
  Tasks can be split as you wish (more garden, more childcare, or a mix).
  
  We plan each day according to the weather, our daughter’s routine, and your preferences.
  
  We value communication and flexibility — if you prefer certain types of work, tell us.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
  Maori: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Our family language is English, but there is a good mix of the other languages to find in our every day life, too!
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  Accommodation

  We have two guest bedrooms, each able to sleep two people but we never place strangers together.
  
  You will have your own private room — unless you arrive with a friend, partner, or family member and choose to share. This is our family home after all, not a hostel, so your personal space matters to us.
  
  You will also have access to:
  
  --> two lounges (one upstairs, one downstairs)
  
  --> plenty of books, jigsaws and board games (please note we do not own a TV)
  
  --> several quiet spaces indoors and outdoors
  
  --> a large garden and wide open paddock (which slowly transforms into a food forest)
  
  There is lots of room to spread out, relax, and enjoy privacy whenever you want.

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  What else ...

  We have no pets and are non-smokers, and we prefer non-smoking Workawayers.
  
  Sometimes we host up to four Workawayers (if they arrive in pairs or groups or as a family).
  Sometimes you will be the only one. Both create beautiful experiences.
  
  If a family with children is staying, we won’t host additional Workawayers at the same time, to keep things comfortable for everyone.
  
  We prioritise kindness, communication, shared meals, and a relaxed atmosphere.
  
  We’d love to welcome you into our home — whether you’re a gardener, a creative spirit, a nature-lover, or someone who simply enjoys being part of a warm, lively family.
  
  
  
  Life is chaotic but we make a point of sharing at a minimum dinner as a family, and we cover the cost of all meals for our Workawayers.
  
  Since we are on a septic tank we will also provide septic suitable shampoo, shower gel etc.
  
  Our location strikes the perfect balance of nature and accessibility:
  
  About an hour’s drive from both Wellington and Palmerston North.
  
  InterCity buses stop in Levin — another convenient arrival option.
  
  We are surrounded by stunning landscapes:
  
  ༄.°Beautiful beaches just 10 minutes away
  
  ༄.°Tararua Ranges offering incredible tramping and hiking opportunities
  
  ༄.°Kāpiti and Mana Islands, must-visit wildlife reserves showcasing some of New Zealand’s most spectacular ecosystems
  
  We warmly welcome families (including single parents) and individuals from all backgrounds. As LGBTQIA+ allies, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  We have plenty areas to sit (or stand) while working at a PC and have a 4G connection.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Our driveway is definitely big enough to park up a motorhome, campervan or cars.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We do not have pets but would potentially consider hosting someone with a pet, this needs to be discussed in advance though.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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