Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Feb 2025
Reply rate
80.0 %
Usually responds within 7 days
Feedback
11
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are a mature couple of former academics (he: Architecture / Urban Design, she: Social Sciences), who have left the city to pursue our dream of a slower, quieter life, more connected to nature. We've moved to a one acre property in Cornwallis in the beautiful Waitakere Ranges, about 40 minutes from the Auckland CBD and 15 minutes from Titirangi village. We're learning how to grow food, and live more sustainably, with less.
The property is a mix of bush and cleared land, about an 8 minute walk to a lovely swimming beach. It's quiet and peaceful with amazing birdlife. There is a small house and two cabins (one is for sleeping and one we use as an office).
We moved here in January 2021 and there's lots to do! We are looking for people to help around the property eg clearing vegetation, pruning, vegetable growing, etc. If you have gardening and/or building/DIY skills that would be great. Tasks are negotiable according to skill, experience, and personal preference. We have a cabin in the orchard with a double bed, chair, drawers, heater and a composting toilet. It's completely private up there. Guests come down to the house for meals and bathroom facilities. Would suit a single person or a couple. We have unlimited wifi. We also have chickens and a little dog called Suzi who is pretty adorable. From Cornwallis you can easily explore the beautiful wild West Coast beaches of Piha, Karekare and Whātipu as well as the walking tracks of the Waitākere Ranges. Please note: some of the tracks are closed to let trees heal from Kauri Dieback, but they are slowly being reopened.
We're looking for mature people with "green" values who appreciate quiet and the beauty of the natural world and want to stay for about a week. On a daily basis, we propose that guests help us with tasks for about 4 hours in the morning and have the rest of the day/evening free to do whatever they wish. We provide accommodation (including linen, towels), meals, power and wifi. The nearest shops are in Titirangi (about 15 minutes drive), with a supermarket, cafes, an art gallery, library, post office. There is a dairy in Woodlands Park which is about 10 mins away or the Huia Store (a cafe) is 5 mins drive. Workaway guests are welcome to borrow our car though ideally you'd have your own car.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are both academics: he architecture and urban design, she social sciences. Happy to help with English. Can also provide climate change education. Visitors love the many bush walks and stunning beaches in the Waitakere Ranges.
Help
We need help managing the property eg planting vege gardens, weeding, pruning fruit trees, building retaining walls and so on. If you have gardening and/or building / DIY skills, that would be perfect. We provide a cabin in the orchard with a comfortable double bed, storage and wifi. Our idea is that our helper would do about 4 hours work in the morning and then they're free to do whatever they like in the afternoons and evenings.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Serbo-Croatian: Fluent
Accommodation
A double bed in a cabin in the orchard. Completely separate from main house and private. There is a composting toilet. Helpers will join us for meals in the main house.
What else ...
There is no public transport to Cornwallis so a car is recommended.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wifi is strong and reliable
Space for parking camper vans
A small-medium van would be fine
Can possibly accept pets
Negotiable
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (5)
We had a great time staying and would love to come back one day!
We did all sorts of gardening like planting weeding, mowing ect and felt really appreciated. There is good vibes all around, the cabin is cozy and we got lots of delicious food, even some cake!
Not forgetting Susi, the cutest little dog :)
As stated in their profile, I would work 4 hours a day leaving time for me to explore the area in the afternoons.
What an amazing place they live in. It’s like a small tropical paradise. If you’re interested in… read more
Photos
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We had a great time staying and would love to come back one day!
We did all sorts of gardening like planting weeding, mowing ect and felt really appreciated. There is good vibes all around, the cabin is cozy and we got lots of delicious food, even some cake!
Not forgetting Susi, the cutest little dog :)
As stated in their profile, I would work 4 hours a day leaving time for me to explore the area in the afternoons.
What an amazing place they live in. It’s like a small tropical paradise. If you’re interested in… read more
They worked hard on the task which was to finish and extend a set of outdoor steps. It involved weeding, digging, measuring,… read more
The work was accurately described- we spent 4 hours 5 days a week building outdoor stairs. Someone was always close by to help and provide guidance and encouragement. In the afternoon, we had time to… read more
They were… read more
Amy went above and beyond and took on the project as if it was her own house,… read more
