Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 Oct 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
54
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
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Details
Description
Hi, I'm Janice. I live with my husband, Derek, in our semi-rural harbourside home. Our daughter and grandchildren live nearby, and you may also see them. A special feature of our home is the natural setting with seashore, birdlife and forest all around. We are 15 minutes from Whangarei city and have a swimming beach at our boundary and many beaches nearby. We are a fun, active, mature couple that loves animals and the outdoors. We need help with running our household and in the gardens, which includes laying hens. I like to think of our place as an urban farm.
We are currently renovating the kitchen and living area. There are also small tasks related to the renovation that we would appreciate help with. We also need help in the gardens.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Music
Animals
Plant care
Photography
Gardening
Books
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Camping
Nature
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
>Extensive film/book library covering NZ nature, culture and history
>Gardening techniques with a focus on natural processes
>Caring for our hens
>Join us for meals
>Cooking techniques
>Hosts offer a variety of day trips (transport within reason)
>Spend time in the natural environment and enjoy the harbour and beach at our boundary.
Help
Helpers enjoy accommodation and meals in exchange for 5hrs work per day. We offer volunteers a one to two-week stay with five days working and two days free.
We are in the middle of replacing the flooring and kitchen in our house. We want help with carrying and laying out the flooring, hanging curtains, moving furniture, putting items away and much more. We are using a small, make-shift kitchen at the moment.
We are also looking for help in the garden, mainly weeding.
We also expect our helpers to do their share of cooking and dishes on top of their volunteer work. Also, we ask that you clean the studio before you depart. This involves stripping the beds and putting on the washing machine, vacuuming and washing the floors, cleaning the bathroom and putting rubbish in the outside bin.
I would also like people who are handy with a camera and can help document our area on social media.
The children may work alongside you, but the responsibility for their supervision will be that of a family member.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I have been learning French with very little progress.
Accommodation
You will have your own room in our house.
No smoking or vaping on or outside of our property due to fire risk and poor role modelling.
No drunken or intoxicated behaviour.
What else ...
Please note: a working holiday visa is required for all Workawayers who are not New Zealand or Australian citizens. Please see the working holiday section on the website for NZ immigration.govt.nz.
Our location is semi-rural with no public transport. However, we are happy to collect volunteers from Whangarei. There is walking, swimming and fishing at our doorstep.
Sun hats and sunblock are essential for working outside in the summer months. Also, there are bees and wasps in the garden. We do have a standard antihistamine in the first aid kit.
Gardening gloves are required for garden work, which we can supply.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Ask me about my travel focused socials
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of room to park a van
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
The chooks (1 year)
2 x Laying Hens
Host ref number: 145196367485
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+15
Feedback (22)
25 Oct 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Patrizia)
Patrizia and Julia are willing helpers. I hosted them for a week, and they completed gardening, cleaning and DIY tasks with enthusiasm and to a high standard. They are also good cooks and great company. Happy travels!
(Excellent
)
31 May 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Élodie & Quentin Romain)
Élodie and Quentin are fantastic helpers that I am happy to recommend to other hosts. They are skilled across many areas and are great cooks to boot. I enjoyed their company and wish them an enjoyable stay in New Zealand.
(Excellent
)
7 Aug 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Paulo Vinicius)
Paulo is gaining experience in gardening and running a household. He is a pleasure to host and quickly takes on board instructions and feed back. Paulo weeded an out of control garden bed to a high standard even taking on heavier work such as transplanting a hydrangea. He also cleaned a lot of windows for us and helped with the kitchen chores.
(Excellent
)
7 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Paulo Vinicius) for host
Janice and her entire family are very attentive, welcoming, and funny. It was a pleasure for me to spend a week with you. They took me to some tourist spots in the city during my stay and were very flexible with the tasks. The house is very elegant and beautiful, and it was great to have a private space for myself. Everything was very organized… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+15
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:
(4.8)
25 Oct 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Patrizia)
Patrizia and Julia are willing helpers. I hosted them for a week, and they completed gardening, cleaning and DIY tasks with enthusiasm and to a high standard. They are also good cooks and great company. Happy travels!
(Excellent)
31 May 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Élodie & Quentin Romain)
Élodie and Quentin are fantastic helpers that I am happy to recommend to other hosts. They are skilled across many areas and are great cooks to boot. I enjoyed their company and wish them an enjoyable stay in New Zealand.
(Excellent)
7 Aug 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Paulo Vinicius)
Paulo is gaining experience in gardening and running a household. He is a pleasure to host and quickly takes on board instructions and feed back. Paulo weeded an out of control garden bed to a high standard even taking on heavier work such as transplanting a hydrangea. He also cleaned a lot of windows for us and helped with the kitchen chores.
(Excellent)
7 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Paulo Vinicius) for host
Janice and her entire family are very attentive, welcoming, and funny. It was a pleasure for me to spend a week with you. They took me to some tourist spots in the city during my stay and were very flexible with the tasks. The house is very elegant and beautiful, and it was great to have a private space for myself. Everything was very organized… read more
15 May 2024
Left by Workawayer (Héloïse & Elie) for host
Our week at Janice's place was great, she's a really kind person, very active and always in a good mood. Also, she took us to the farmers market on Saturday morning to buy fresh vegetables for cooking! In general, there is always someone for having a talk in the house and to explain you something about the kiwi lifestyle.
We stayed in our own… read more
We stayed in our own… read more
15 May 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Héloïse & Elie)
Firstly, Heloise and Elie are friendly and helpful by nature with great English. Heloise and Elie have in-depth knowledge of website design and coding. I shared my accommodation website wish list which they transformed into reality. They worked in well with the family cooking and doing household chores. The yard also looks a lot tidier after their… read more
(Excellent)
22 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Olive) for host
I had a great stay at Janice and Derek's! The house is very pleasant to live in, the garden and the chickens and the little lovely dog Rosie.
Thank you for your welcome, the work was very pleasant. I had a little trouble understanding with your strong accent haha but it was very great !
Thank you for your welcome, the work was very pleasant. I had a little trouble understanding with your strong accent haha but it was very great !
22 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Olive)
Eva is a pleasure to host. She is efficient with house keeping tasks and in the garden, always offering to lend a hand. She has knowledge of plants and gardening techniques. Eva patently helped me improve my French and patently worked around our language differences. She enjoys wine but isn't a snob and tried some of our budget offerings. Thanks… read more
(Excellent)
13 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Sophie Emilie) for host
This was my first workaway experience and I couldn't be luckier! I felt welcomed and appreciated by the family. If I wanted to have a nice chat, there was always someone to talk to. I learnt quite a lot about New Zealand here! Janice has amazing background knowledge. But I also had enough space and time for myself.
The family also took me to an… read more
The family also took me to an… read more
13 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie Emilie)
We thoroughly enjoyed hosting Sophie. She is a good time keeper, worked in well with our family and other volunteers. She also worked to a high standard completing tasks in the garden and house keeping inside. It is worth noting the Sophie is an exceptional cook. Thanks Sophie.
(Excellent)
9 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Malou)
We thoroughly enjoyed hosting Malou. I particularly enjoyed sharing the tasks in the kitchen and seeing the transformation in the garden. Malou helps well with other people or independently. Thanks heaps Malou.
(Excellent)
31 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Philip) for host
My stay with Janice and her family was amazing. They have a beautiful house right at the coast with the beach only a two minute walk away and were really welcoming from the beginning on, I really felt like a part of their family.
The work was really fair, mostly gardening and helping around the house, like stacking wood or carrying some gravel… read more
The work was really fair, mostly gardening and helping around the house, like stacking wood or carrying some gravel… read more
31 Oct 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Philip)
I enjoyed hosting Philip as he is a considerate and efficient helper. He worked outside weeding the garden and on a landscaping project that required carrying gravel and spreading it on a path. He also helped stacking our firewood. Inside he helped with general housekeeping and doing his share of meals. Philip also used his creative skills to take… read more
(Excellent)
14 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Arianne)
Arianne is good company and a great helper. She was a willing and independent helper in the house. For our bnb, she managed the room change overs and cooking, to a high standard. She also was charming and engaging with our guests.
Adianne also worked wonders, weeding and harvesting, in the garden.
Thank you for your hard work.
Adianne also worked wonders, weeding and harvesting, in the garden.
Thank you for your hard work.
(Excellent)
14 Feb 2019
Left by Workawayer (Arianne) for host
Janice and Derek were super hosts who made me feel so welcome over the 10 days I spent with them. There was always something to do and it was awesome to get creative in the kitchen with all the abundant produce they grow. I learnt so much about the area, how to successfully run a lifestyle block and I had some really interesting, memorable… read more
29 Aug 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Carla & Magdalena)
We enjoyed our week with Carla. She is an independent worker who takes pride in doing a good job. Like many of my lovely volunteers Carla happily joins in with house hold and local activities in a considerate and patent manner.
(Excellent)
25 Aug 2018
Left by Workawayer (Carla & Magdalena) for host
I had a nice week in Ngaruawahia with Janice and Derek. Both of them are very friendly and kind. The work wasn’t hard, I did a lot of weeding and planting.
Janice showed me around whenever it is possible, also they offer you many interesting books or movies.
I wish them just the best
Janice showed me around whenever it is possible, also they offer you many interesting books or movies.
I wish them just the best
16 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Rianne)
Thanks to Reianne's efficiency the house and the garden look great. Reianne works independently to a high standard. She is also good company and interested in sharing her knowledge and finding out about the world .
(Excellent)
11 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Emily)
Emily is one of our stand out volunteers because she brings both positive energy and skill to her work. Time keeping and organisation is definitely part of Emily's skill set.
Following Emily's short stay I have an improved henpecked cottage brand. Awesome! She polished my social media profile by editing/ improving the blog posts on my website,… read more
Following Emily's short stay I have an improved henpecked cottage brand. Awesome! She polished my social media profile by editing/ improving the blog posts on my website,… read more
(Excellent)
11 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Emily) for host
I love(!!) Janice & Derek. They are two of the warmest New Zealanders I've ever met. Although I only stayed three nights instead of the customary four, Janice was extremely flexible regarding work hours and I felt I was able to contribute enough help during my stay. I primarily worked in the garden (weeding two vegetable beds and one raised/netted… read more
16 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Nadine)
Nadine was fun to host and really helped with my bed & breakfast accommodation business. She took responsibility for a breakfast service and she helped with with a three course dinner service. She also independently took on a number of cleaner jobs in the house. I was very happy with her work.
(Excellent)
17 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Sarina)
I enjoyed Sarina's out going personality. She worked independently in the garden and cleaning the kitchen. I hope you enjoy your time in New Zealand.
(Excellent)
15 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (Sarina) for host
I had a great time in there.
The help was not hard, meals were delicious, room and bathroom were clean. Animals are so cute and friendly even the chickens!
They were so kind when I was sick and took me water fall and the beach. I can enjoy and spend a special time in their house.
Thanks a lot for having me.
Wish you all the best!!
The help was not hard, meals were delicious, room and bathroom were clean. Animals are so cute and friendly even the chickens!
They were so kind when I was sick and took me water fall and the beach. I can enjoy and spend a special time in their house.
Thanks a lot for having me.
Wish you all the best!!
8 Feb 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Jimmy)
Thanks Jimmy.
Great work. It's nice to be able to see through the windows clearly again.
I hope you English continues to improve. It was a pleasure talking with you.
Regards
Janice and Derek.
Great work. It's nice to be able to see through the windows clearly again.
I hope you English continues to improve. It was a pleasure talking with you.
Regards
Janice and Derek.
(Excellent)
28 Oct 2015
Left by Workawayer (Josephine & Carolin) for host
Janice and Derek were super nice and welcoming hosts, we had great food and amazing self-baked cookies. They are super flexible with the work hours and took us on an amazing tour trough the region. We've had a great long weekend! Thanks you for that!
Josephine & Cara
Josephine & Cara
27 Oct 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Josephine & Carolin)
Hello Josephine and Caro
I really enjoyed your company over the week-end.
Great work in the garden. I will be checking to see what pops up in the next few days. My kitchen is well organised and gleaming.
Happy Travels
Best Regards
Janice :)
I really enjoyed your company over the week-end.
Great work in the garden. I will be checking to see what pops up in the next few days. My kitchen is well organised and gleaming.
Happy Travels
Best Regards
Janice :)
(Excellent)
21 Jul 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Robert)
Roberts tiling and painting skills are at a high level. Thanks very much for tiling the splash back in our kitchen and painting the walls in the bedroom. Robert also is a friendly and polite house guest. Regards Janice.
(Excellent)
25 Feb 2015
Left by Workawayer (Kristian & Rasmus) for host
Thank you for having us. We really enjoyed our stay at your place, and definitely recommend you to everyone else who wants to workaway.
Even though we only spend 4 nights, we really feel that we got to see a lot:)
Kristian and Rasmus
Even though we only spend 4 nights, we really feel that we got to see a lot:)
Kristian and Rasmus
3 Feb 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Kristian & Rasmus)
Thanks Rasmus & Kristian. Great independent workers who are prepared to go the extra mile. We enjoyed your company and hearing about Denmark. Cheers Janice.
(Excellent)
25 Jan 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Alice & Hugo)
Thanks Alice & Hugo
Great work cleaning inside the house and weeding in the garden. Thanks for cooking a great French meal. Derek and I really enjoyed your company.
Great work cleaning inside the house and weeding in the garden. Thanks for cooking a great French meal. Derek and I really enjoyed your company.
(Excellent)
14 Jan 2015
Left by Workawayer (Alice & Hugo) for host
We spent a very nice big week-end with Dereck and Janice, the day at the beach and walking was great! Dereck is also a good cooker, thanks for the scons discovery!
We enjoyed a lot our first workaway experience so we will continue this kind of experience.
Thank you again for everything!
We enjoyed a lot our first workaway experience so we will continue this kind of experience.
Thank you again for everything!
28 Nov 2014
Left by Workawayer (Jana & Lea) for host
Dear Janice and Derek,
we really enjoyed our short, but great time on your small farm. You are so nice hosts and we are so thankful that you took us to Mt Maungatautari and showed us the beauty of Waikato in so different ways! Besides, your dinner was so delicious and we felt like a part of your family. Also, building a fence was a really good… read more
we really enjoyed our short, but great time on your small farm. You are so nice hosts and we are so thankful that you took us to Mt Maungatautari and showed us the beauty of Waikato in so different ways! Besides, your dinner was so delicious and we felt like a part of your family. Also, building a fence was a really good… read more
26 Nov 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Jana & Lea)
Jana & Lea are excellent workers. You two did a fine job of following instructions and building a fence including boring post holes with a hand operated auger. Thanks for organising an evening meal and baking. If you come to stay with us again we'd to spend some time preparing meals together with the pair of you. I would like to answer YOUR… read more
(Excellent)
11 Oct 2014
Left by Workawayer (Baptiste & Vicky) for host
It was a very good weekend ! The work wasn't difficult. Janice and Derek are very good cooker !!
7 Oct 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Baptiste & Vicky)
Bonjour Vicky & Baptiste
The couple with energy to spare
Keen to help everywhere
Jobs done inside and out
I certainly can see where they've been about
From Janice
The couple with energy to spare
Keen to help everywhere
Jobs done inside and out
I certainly can see where they've been about
From Janice
(Excellent)
26 Aug 2014
Left by Workawayer (Yuen Lam) for host
Great to stay with Janice & Derek for an exciting Kiwi weekend! Thank you so much for the afternoon adventure in bush and also the starry night and glowing worms/marine life discovery haha! Both of them are very friendly and good cook!! Thank you and hopefully we will see again =))
25 Aug 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Yuen Lam)
Lam
The careful worker
Delightful guest
cleaning & weeding
until our place is gleaming
The careful worker
Delightful guest
cleaning & weeding
until our place is gleaming
(Excellent)
8 Aug 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Melina & Matthew)
Melina & Matt – Our Team Oz
Talented
Hard Working
Friendly
And
Fun
Talented
Hard Working
Friendly
And
Fun
(Excellent)
28 Apr 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Marta & Arkadiusz)
Marta & Ark, thanks for all the hard work. Your very efficient and great fun to be with. Highly recommended to other hosts. Safe travels. Janice
(Excellent)
6 Apr 2014
Left by Workawayer (Jimena) for host
Thanks Janice and Derek :)
Both of them are awesome people, incredibly kind, and I'm very glad I stayed with them for a few days (almost a week!). They are very fun to talk to, and Derek even took me to the beach and the hot pools in his motorbike.
If he asks if you want for a ride in the motorbike, don't chicken out! You'll miss an awesome… read more
Both of them are awesome people, incredibly kind, and I'm very glad I stayed with them for a few days (almost a week!). They are very fun to talk to, and Derek even took me to the beach and the hot pools in his motorbike.
If he asks if you want for a ride in the motorbike, don't chicken out! You'll miss an awesome… read more
5 Apr 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Jimena)
We enjoyed Jimena's bubbly personality. She is a good worker who is happy to help out with house work. She also gave good instruction in using photoshop and blog posting. Happy travels Jimena.
(Excellent)
5 Mar 2014
Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host
I had a great time with Janice and Derek at their lovely small farm in a gorgeous landscape with a fantastic view. Veggies from the garden, self-created recipes, intetesting conversations about culture and history of New Zealand and its people - Thanks for this all!
3 Mar 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Martina)
I really enjoyed Martina's company for the week-end. Martina works independently in the garden to get the job done to a high standard. Thanks Martina and happy travels
(Excellent)
10 Dec 2013
Left by Workawayer (Joe & Oriana) for host
We had a great time staying with Derek and Janice. Helping them out with their lifestyle block was a lot of fun. They are very keen on getting to know people. Janice shared a wealth of Kiwi history with us and Derek has a broad knowledge of native plants. Delicious food was provided; Derek's tea snacks were especially tasty.
8 Dec 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Joe & Oriana)
Joe and Oriana set to work weeding and manicuring our section in a very business-like fashion. They bring a level of experience and skill to the job. Oriana has an extensive knowledge of plants. They are tidy and well-mannered company. We had some great discussions about sustainable gardening and farming practice.
(Excellent)
11 Sep 2013
Left by Workawayer (AfricaRPraxedes) for host
Thanks Derek and Janice for host me. It was a pleasure in your company.
My trip was wonderfull.
My trip was wonderfull.
1 Jul 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (AfricaRPraxedes)
Thanks Africa. I now have a beautiful vegetable patch. I enjoyed getting to know you over the week-end. Happy Travels.
(Excellent)
11 Jul 2013
Left by Workawayer (Marie & Hugo) for host
We spent very good time at Janice and Dereck's home.
They are very welcoming and good host!
We were happy to gardening and learn how to build a fence.
Thank you very much!
They are very welcoming and good host!
We were happy to gardening and learn how to build a fence.
Thank you very much!
8 Jul 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Marie & Hugo)
Thanks Marie & Hugo.
I hope you enjoyed building the fence and working in the garden. Thanks for going beyound what was asked and doing the extra cleaning. Happy Travels. Janice.
I hope you enjoyed building the fence and working in the garden. Thanks for going beyound what was asked and doing the extra cleaning. Happy Travels. Janice.
(Excellent)
5 May 2013
Left by Workawayer (Rebecca) for host
I had a lovely time staying with Janice and Derek (and the dogs!). They make you feel right at home, and will happily show you around the area. Thanks for the nice time, and the delicious food!
5 May 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Rebecca)
Thanks Rebecca you did a wonder job in the house. It's a pleasure to host you and I really enjoyed the hike we took together . Happy travels. Janice.
(Excellent)
29 Apr 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Simon)
Simon is a conscientious self-starting Workawayer. Derek and I enjoyed his company and wish him well in the future. Regards Janice.
(Excellent)
25 Feb 2013
Left by Workawayer (AnneSophieMahlke) for host
I had such a good time staying with Janice and Derek for the weekend. They made me feel like home and even took me to raglan for half day.
Such a pleasure to hosted by you.
Wish you all the best!
Sophie
Such a pleasure to hosted by you.
Wish you all the best!
Sophie
24 Feb 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (AnneSophieMahlke)
Sophie is very social and is a pleasure to host.
She did a wonderful job spring cleaning the kitchen. She also was keen to join us on a number of outings.
Thanks for your help and happy travels.
Janice
She did a wonderful job spring cleaning the kitchen. She also was keen to join us on a number of outings.
Thanks for your help and happy travels.
Janice
(Excellent)
