Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 12 days
Feedback
15
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
My husband and I are managing a 700 cow dairy farm in Mawheraiti which is between the small towns of Reefton and Ikamatua on the South Island! Reefton, on the Lewis Pass road and near Victoria Conservation Park (NZ largest) is well worth a stop, being the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have elecric streetlights and famous for it's gold mining!
We emigrated from South Africa nearly 22 years ago to make a new life for ourselves in New Zealand and could not be any happier! We have always had a special love for the outdoors and animals, so it made perfect sense to become farmers where we can enjoy the land, sun (and rain) and gorgeous scenery. We have a talking Galah Parrot, 3 cats, 2 horses, and 2 friendly, rambunctious working dogs (Australian Cattle Dogs).
Please read our profile carefully before you commit due to the location of our farm being out of town in a rural community with NO public transport! It would be advisable to have your own car if you prefer to have your independence to explore the area in more detail.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Experience true Kiwi hospitality, see how we farm and live on the other side of the world.
Good conversation, with loads of laughs! Meet like strangers and leave as friends!
Help
Tasks shared are quite varied and may include a little housekeeping/cooking/gardening, DIY, tidying and farm work as needed.
However, if you are a skilled builder, digger driver, gardener or tradesperson, then we also have some small projects that may be of interest to you. We own an "Off Grid" tiny home/caravan on bare land in the historic town of Blackball, very popular with mountain bikers and trekkers wanting to tackle the stunning Paparoa Ranges. We are still developing our little home and gardens with plans to build a green house, sheds etc, so that one day we can be totally self sufficient in our retirement.
These tasks would definitely suit someone looking for a bit of an adventure whether it be learning something new whilst being part of a family, or using your skills, having some alone time whilst soaking in the views or exploring the area.
Our biggest expectation from guests would be to respect our homes, and animals as they are part of our family, but we also want you to feel comfortable and enjoy your stay!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Our Farm stay is a spacious four bedroom lockwood home with a shared bathroom (with choice of a bath or shower). We have a log fire in winter to keep us all cosy and warm. There is a large sundeck with panoramic views over lush green paddocks and nearby mountains (snow capped in winter). Our farm is surrounded by protected rain forest, which you can access including the chrystal clear rivers with natural swimming holes. It truly is a natural paradise! During the non-busy season, Richard may take you hunting for wild deer or pigs which roam freely over the back of the farm. We process our own meat, sausages and biltong (beef jerky). There are also trout and eels in the rivers.
There is free use of unlimited internet. We do not supply breakfast, alcohol or cold beverages apart from normal tea, coffee, and of course milk. It's a help yourself lunch and a provided/shared dinner.
What else ...
You will need to have your own transport. Applicants must be drug free, clean and tidy.
NB: You must provide us with a copy of your HOLIDAY WORKING VISA prior to your arrival as this is a requirement by New Zealand Immigration Law and there will be no exceptions. You are NOT ALLOWED to work or do any volunteer work on just a holiday visa, so please make sure you have the correct visas before you make accommodation arrangements. There are some countries that are not listed on the NZ Immigration website as been allowed to obtain these visas so please check with immigration NZ.
We look forward to welcoming new visitors to our country!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
The tasks are different every day, not too difficult and it is clear what is expected.
By the end we didn't want to leave (literally, because we did extend our stay… 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)
The tasks are different every day, not too difficult and it is clear what is expected.
By the end we didn't want to leave (literally, because we did extend our stay… read more
Thanks so much that I could… read more
Not only was the accomodation all good for us, but the work was varied and interesting. We got challenged… read more
