Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
5 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
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Details
Description
We are a 1 mama, 2 x 4 1/2 year old twin boy, 1 dog family looking for some help on our 8 acre slice of paradise in the beautiful Rangitikei. (not to mention a flock of chickens and recent new chicks).
The land we reside on was once a working small farm and homestead. The family that lived here before us have now all grown up and moved away. When they were here the land, plants and animals on it were well looked after based on organic living in tune with nature and permaculture principles. Fast forward six years and minus one house, we are now living on the land off grid, looking to get it back into the same condition from those previous days.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live on the outskirts of a small town in the lower central part of the North Island accessible within 2-3 hours to several major cities including Wellington, Napier and New Plymouth. Whanganui is only 30 mins and also Palmerston North. Our rural Rangitikei New Zealand is beautiful countryside, rolling hills, bush areas, reasonably flat and not far from the sea either. Also, the central plateau and Lake Taupo less than 2 hours away. We would be a great base for anyone who intends to see more of the sights and experiences our island has to offer.
I have travelled a lot myself and lived/worked overseas including doing what workawayers do (also couchsurfing and hosting when I lived in Napier!), although having children has put all that kind of spontaneity to a halt I'm cool with that - by offering the opportunity to stay at my place for those of you who are looking for some private, sometimes quiet chill time while getting a few jobs done here and there, I would be very happy to have you here to share stories, meals, music etc etc, as this is how I love to travel and experience new countries myself.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Since the last owners were here about 6 years ago, the land has become considerably overgrown so work is required to get on top the blackberry, prune numerous fruit trees, mulch prunings, extend and maintain orchards and bush area, maintain veggie gardens, vamp up the chicken coop and continue with jobs to get the rain water tanks sorted. Some building work is also on the cards, including replacing the roof of the cob hut. These are but a selection of the jobs that are required to be sorted here but I think you might get the picture. Slowly but surely I am chipping away at it all, and I do get some help from friends or the neighbours occasionally but I won't get far without a little help from some new travelling friends.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: 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
I have a fully self contained caravan you can reside in - warm and dry, although there are other areas to sleep in, they are not always completely dry if it rains and the mosquitos can be a problem so the caravan is the best place to be! I have all bedding available if you want to use it. There is also a heater in the caravan if it gets cold overnight. It has solar and also gas for heating water, cooking or cups of tea if you need in your own space.
The immediate living vicinity I have established includes double garage with plenty of tools at hand, 1 year old yurt, very rustic kitchen built from recycled windows and doors, shower/bathroom cubicle with a gas califont to heat water. We are off grid for electricity here (solar) and there is additional solar in the caravan.
2 x compostable toilets, although there is a toilet in the caravan too.
The 'outdoor kitchen' is also available to use. When I am home I cook! I am happy to supply mainly vegan food to you, although I am not strictly vegan I sometimes have fish and wild meat, I do not eat or buy cheese or milk, make my own nut milk and I tend to stick to gluten free options. We have about 20 chickens, and do get eggs, but this can be hit and miss as the girls are free range and are especially good at hiding their eggs!
I have my kids with me half the time and cook home cooked meals all the time. Also, fridge and cupboards will be available for you to help yourself whenever you need to. I love sharing meals with people from different cultures and very open to trying new foods/recipes.
What else ...
I have mentioned a few things already you can do with your time off, as we are centrally located to many desirable locations. Our town is small and pretty quiet, but you can easily find opportunities to mix with the locals if that is what you want to do (and that can be pretty hilarious and eye opening in a new country right?!) We have two supermarkets and consistently the cheapest petrol/diesel in the North Island. You would need your own transport ideally but buses are an option here aswell. Easy to get around on a bike too!
I work three days a week a good distance from home, so I am not always here to be working alongside. You would be on your own a bit and able to chip away at your own pace without anyone breathing down your neck! When I am here, my kids are also first priority and I hardly manage (during the school term, I am a teacher) to do more work on top of the regular maintenance/cleaning tasks. So please, come and give me a hand, have fun while you are doing it, chill and relax in a beautiful and very private location close to all amentities. (It really is the best of both worlds I think).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
I have a dog that loves to play with other dogs, although she is full of energy and can be too much for some dogs. She is medium sized staffy crossed with some kind of crazy butterfly chasing, bee munching, 0 -100 in 2 seconds flat dog. Juni is also deaf, loves human attention and thinks the world revolves around her. Gentle nature, great with kids, lots of fun but still a bit of a jumper!
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
