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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, protecting our native forest, birds, lizards, and insects. We trap predators and remove invasive weeds. You can help with Landcare work and organic/permaculture gardening: vegetables, 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.

    The current to-do list includes building a roof in front of the chicken coop and another in front of a shed, to keep the rain out, from recycled material, roofing iron and bamboo and mostly no power tools.

    My place is very quiet and relaxing. It suits mature helpers who love working independently and don't mind getting their hands dirty. I am happy host travellers past the Holiday-Working-Visa age. I work at our local kura (school). Some hours of your day you will be home alone (or with other helpers, or family). For 4-5 hours of help per day, you get accommodation and meals. If you need gluten-free, extra snacks, or special diet food, please bring some with you.

    Opportunities to go sightseeing and to relax are, e.g. 'The famous 'Bush Fairy Dairy' 7 km from my house; beautiful Doubtless Bay beaches 20 km; Kaitaia 40 km; Cape Reinga 130 km, and many more places. If you have no car, I can take you to and pick you up from Taipa. On your days off, you can have breakfast at my house. We have local cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and markets in our small community that are worth visiting for a meal.

    Honeymoon Valley is perfect for exploring bush and bird life. The river is great for swimming. You can borrow a bike, visit my kura, and learn about Maori culture. If you play music: I have a keyboard, guitar, ukulele, and djembe. I do not play music, but I love singing, dancing, and fitness. I love stories, films, literature, art, and most of all - nature.

    Ngā mihi nui
    Gerlinde

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Culture
    Plant care
    History
    Books
    Languages
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Performing arts
    Yoga / Wellness
    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 (German, English, French, Te Reo Māori), organic and permaculture gardening, sustainability, Conservation - Land Care, recycling.
    School visits.

  • Help

    Help

    Gardeners, landscapers, builders, carpenters, painters, artists, fitness and health helpers.
    I cook healthy, organic food. 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 a bike 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

Host ref number: 188351881472

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