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4 Jun 2026
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Description
I am a potter, gardener and a student in Te Reo Māori. We live on a large section on the edge of Ōtautahi Christchurch which backs onto the Port Hills. I live with my husband Hugh who is an urban designer, an elderly cat, chook and a sheep. I grow most of our vegetables and fruit in our garden. We love that we can bike (15 minutes) into the city to go and see music, shows or visit a gallery, go for a mountain bike ride up on the hill or bike to Sumner via the summit road for a swim from our door. We are an hour and a half drive from the ski fields and multi day hiking options and 20 mins from the beach. We both enjoy open water swimming but in summer we mostly swim in our pool. We have two elderly mothers, adult kids and a grandchild that visit often.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Pets
Sustainability
Plant care
Gardening
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Sailing / Boating
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cycling
Camping
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We love cooking and sharing food. We often have family and friends over for meals. I enjoy sharing gardening knowledge, and speaking Te Reo. We both worked with Councils and the Department of Conservation and have lots of information we can share about our city, local recreation opportunities, and environmental projects. We try to live sustainably; growing food, composting, recycling, biking and using public transport when we can. We love travelling and have biked and walked in Europe, Asia, South America and the pacific. We can speak a little Spanish, Italian snd French and love to test our memories. We enjoy meeting people from other countries and hearing about where they live, local cuisine and how they live. Really open to learning from others in the garden or other skills they may have as well.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Mostly work will involve gardening- weeding, moving compost and soil around and planting trees. We have some landscaping work to create more vegetable gardens and orchard space and a community vege plot to create. There may also be some paint/ oil preparation and painting. I will be working alongside most of the time.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Maori: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We have a studio with a double bed separate from the house. This has a bathroom , cooking facilities and washing machine. We will provide tea and coffee and a basic breakfast that people can help themselves to in the studio. You will share lunch and dinner in our house. You will also be able to prepare food or reheat meals in the studio. We eat all food but happy to prepare vegetarian or vegan food. Gluten Free folk may have to provide some of their own basics depending on what we have in the cupboards.
What else ...
We have many options for walking and biking on our doorstep both along the river and on Port Hills. Our local bus stops take you into the city, to the top of Huntsbury hill, to Lyttelton or the airport and are 10 minutes walk away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I’m pretty flexible. Good communication about availability will be key to a great experience for everyone.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Nina
Photos
