Developing land for a retreat centre in Northland, New Zealand

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We have a variety of projects according to the time of year. We shall be doing building, setting up water and solar systems, vege gardening, tidying old shelter belts and tree care over summer.

    Please note we are developing a Retreat Center. We are best suited to people on a pathway of their own spiritual and self development. People who are self aware, open to new ideas and self expressed.

    Chris and Julia live in a 160 acre Eco-village. We have traveled extensively and still do. Julia is a homeopath, ecstatic dance teacher, Shaman and ran a community centre (Kalikalos in Greece in the NZ winter). Chris is currently developing our land but is also a professional yacht skipper, ex organic farm advisor, ex Greenpeace captain and charity CEO. Both of us have done lots of personal development. We like to have a good level of communication with guests and appreciate spending time with people who are curious and engaged in their own self-development.

    Our proposed Retreat Centre land is 10 mins from our ecovillage. It has amazing views of the ocean and is close to some of the best beaches in the country, including Sandy Bay, which is a good surf beach, where you can hire boards and get lessons. Our tasks are varied so if you want more details ask when you book.

    By default we need help 5 hours a day, 5 days a week but also offer 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, which gives longer afternoons off to go to the beach :) Guests can do extra hours in the week so they get the whole weekend off.

    Because we are very concerned about electromagnetic radiation (Julia campaigns against 5g) we use Ethernet cables for internet and do not use WiFi. We have 1 Ethernet to USB adapter to loan but they seem a bit unreliable. You may prefer to bring your own adapter if you use a Mac. Phone data reception is pretty good :)

    Because our kitchen is very small and a bit chaotic in the mornings we have set up our guest accommodation for self-catering breakfasts. We supply the basics: milk, yogurt, bread, spreads, porridge, fruit, raisins, seeds and nuts for muesli and eggs if the chickens are being co-operative. If you have special needs for breakfast please BYO. We eat mainly dairy free vegan but have fish once a week most weeks.

    Minimum stay is 1 week, please and longer preferred. We have nice accommodation for 2 and can take 3 but can take more people if you have a van or tent.

    This is a good place for people converting vans for their trips as we have a good little workshop and a range of tools.

    We currently have 2 horses.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We are especially interested in hosting people who have a genuine interest in the concept of community living and developing a Community Retreat Centre.

  • Help

    Help

    All sorts, gardening and general smallholding chores, building, maybe some cleaning or painting if we can't do tasks outside. Check our profile for updates.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    This 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

    Accommodation

    A sleep-out, which has kitchen facilities for breakfasts. A double mattress and 3 singles are available and we move them around according to who is here. The accommodation is mixed.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We love having people to help us but sometimes we are very busy so we like people who can look after themselves and show initiative.
    Chris is an activist, especially about climate change, human rights and sustainable development. Julia is more spiritually focused. We both try hard to make a positive difference in the world.
    We live on the most gorgeous bit of coast in NZ. It's 3.8k to Matapouri beach and we have a couple of bikes for guests.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have space at our Eco-village and our Retreat Center for 1-2 vans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 1579722754a5

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Accuracy of profile: (4.9)

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