Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
14 Sep 2025
Feedback
11
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
I am a mature woman, a former academic (Social Sciences), who has left the city to pursue my dream of a slower, quieter life, more connected to nature. I live on a one acre property in Cornwallis/Karangahape in the beautiful Waitakere Ranges, about 40 minutes from the Auckland CBD and 15 minutes from Titirangi village. I'm 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 three cabins (one is for sleeping, one is used as an office, and has just been built is not finished).
There's lots to do around the property! I am looking for people to help manage the property eg clearing vegetation, pruning, vegetable growing, etc. If you have gardening, landscaping and/or building/DIY skills that would be great. Tasks are negotiable according to skill, experience, and personal preference. The sleeping cabin is 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. There is unlimited wifi in the house, it's not always reliable in the cabin. My little dog Suzi is pretty adorable and you may fall in love. From Cornwallis you can 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. As well as our local beach, there is a river for swimming and waterfall in Huia, which is 10 minutes drive. Huia also has a cafe and serves fresh fish and chips.
I'm 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. Guests help with tasks for about 4 hours in the morning and have the rest of the day/evening free to do whatever they wish. I 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 ideally have their own car for getting around, but you can catch a bus to Titirangi and I am happy to collect people from there and drop them back.
I eat mostly plant-based wholefood, and cook vegan meals, so if you want to eat meat, eggs and dairy, you'd need to bring them. You're welcome to help with cooking if you enjoy it!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Interests
Movies & TV
Politics / Social justice
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Performing arts
Books
Music
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
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
I need help maintaining the property eg planting vege gardens, weeding, cutting firewood, pruning fruit trees, planting small shrubs. There are also small landscaping projects eg building steps and paths. If you have gardening and/or building / DIY skills, that would be perfect.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Workaway guests sleep in a comfortable double bed in the cabin in the orchard. Completely separate from main house and private. There is a composting toilet. Guests come to the main house for meals and to use the bathroom.
What else ...
There is no public transport to Cornwallis so a car is recommended but not essential.
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
My animals / pets
Suzi
Suzi is a sweetheart, she's incredibly loyal and is equally happy snoozing with me on the sofa and running on the beach.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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)
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
