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Eco-earth house in the bush, protecting endemic fauna and flora in Northland, New Zealand

Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Kia ora, travellers!
    Haere mai - welcome - to my whare (home) in beautiful Honeymoon Valley, surrounded by native rainforest, birds and insects. We built this eco-earth house using local clay from right under our feet. This land used to be just grass, but after 30 years of caring for this whenua, it now has mature trees, orchards, and organic gardens. Life here is peaceful and quiet, perfect for enjoying nature

    I am part of the local landcare group, helping protect our native forest, birds, lizards, and insects. We trap predators and remove invasive weeds. You could help with organic/permaculture gardening: vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit trees, chickens, mowing, brush-cutting, compost-making, maintenance and fixing things (basic carpentry, painting), sewing, cleaning, chopping firewood. I bake bread. I make apple cider vinegar, bottle fruit, jam, chutney, sauerkraut, and collect seeds.

    My place fits independent and mature helpers who love working outside and don't mind getting their hands dirty. I work at our local kura (school), so some hours of the day you will be home alone (sometimes with other helpers, or with family). For 4-5 hours of help per day, I provide accommodation and three meals. Please bring your own snacks and G/F or other special food you need.

    On days you go sightseeing, you can have breakfast at my house, and you will provide your own lunch and dinner. We have some good rural cafes, restaurants, and bakeries in our small community that are worth visiting. Opportunities to go sightseeing and to relax are, e.g. 'The famous 'Bush Fairy Dairy' 7 km from my house, beautiful beaches in Doubtless Bay, 20km; Cape Reinga, 130km, and many more places. If you have no car, I can take you to and pick you up from Taipa.

    Honeymoon Valley is perfect for exploring bush and bird life. The river is great for swimming. You can borrow my bikes, visit my kura, and learn about Maori culture. You can use my keyboard, guitar, ukulele, and djembe. I love singing and dancing, and fitness. I love nature, films, literature and art.
    Ngā mihi nui
    Gerlinde

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Culture
    Plant care
    History
    Books
    Languages
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Performing arts
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Fitness
    Mountain
    Dancing
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Language (French, German, English, Te Reo Māori), organic and permaculture gardening, sustainability, landcare, recycling.
    School visits.

  • Help

    Help

    Gardeners, landscapers, builders, carpenters, painters, artists, fitness and health helpers.
    I cook regular, healthy, organic food. BUT not VEGAN or GF - bring some food with you.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Maori: Beginner

    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 bedroom in my house

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    I have bikes you can borrow.
    Visits to my kura (school ) and learn about Māori culture
    Visiting events, beaches, etc

  • 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

    350 km North of Auckland: take the bus to Taipa, or drive State Highway 1 and 10. Parking for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 188351881472

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