Enjoy a relaxing stay in the centre of New Zealand, with easy access to the rest of the country.

New Zealand

Favourited 298 times

Host rating
Feedback
10
Last activity
11/11/2020
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
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Availability

2021

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What's this?

Details

Description
Robyn and I are in our 60s - Robyn is a nurse, and I am a teacher. We have two adult daughters who are now living in Australia.

We have a large house, with a large section and great areas for entertaining. We are within easy walking distance of all amenities, and only 3 kms from our lovely local beach. I am into my music, photography, computers and cooking, and Robyn loves walking, reading and is interested in alternative health.

We're pretty relaxed and easy-going people. Our home is not one of those places where everything is always perfectly neat and tidy - we prefer comfort to fuss.

We would really like Workaways who aren't too fussy about food. We enjoy our cooking and eating, and we enjoy a wide variety of foods and styles. We eat a lot of vegetarian and seafood and spicy Asian food. We also enjoy a bit of red meat on occasion. It would make things a lot easier if those staying with us were happy to eat whatever we happen to be eating. :-)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We have a large section that needs quite a bit of maintenance from time to time. There is firewood to be split and stacked for next winter, decks to be cleaned, gardens to be weeded and mulched, trees to be pruned. And there's always basic housework and cleaning to be done around the place.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a private area that is separate from the main house, which includes 2 double bedrooms and a lounge area. This used to be our daughters' living space when they were teenagers, so it's not all that up-market, but it's warm, comfortable and spacious.

The lounge has its own widescreen TV and blu-ray play and full wireless internet access is available throughout the house.

Out in the back yard we have a lovely barbecue and entertainment area that is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal and a few drinks.
What else ...
This would probably suit a couple of friends travelling together, as there is plenty of space to share, and the workload could be shared too. Also, female volunteers might feel more comfortable that way.

If you enjoy food - of ALL types - you should enjoy your stay here. :-)
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Me (Simon)

A private lounge for guests to relax in.

Here's the other spare bedroom.

Here's one of the rooms available

Another shot of our beautiful beach.

Part of our back yard. The barbecue area is just out of frame.

Show all photos

Our beautiful beach

Here's Robyn.

Feedback left by and about host (10)

25/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Erin) for host

I spend a wonderful week and a few days with Robyn and Simon. They were welcoming from the start and amazing hosts! Luckily during my stay the weather was pretty nice so I spend much of my time in the garden getting it ready for the summer! I also did a few jobs in and around the house on the unfortunate day it rained! Robyn and Simon took great… read more

(Excellent )

12/01/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Maximilian)

It was a pleasure having Max to stay. He fitted in well with us and with all the family. He was great company and enjoyed participating in our family events.
Max worked hard and was willing to undertake whatever tasks were required of him.
We would recommend Max to other workaway hosts.

(Excellent )

03/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Maximilian) for host

I had the pleasure to stay with Simon and Robyn for a week over Christmas. It was a spontaneous stay and I loved every second of it. I was treated like family and even got small presents on Christmas morning. I got to know many members of their family.

I helped with different things and they always made sure that it’s not too hard.
Lunch and… read more

(Excellent )

19/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lara) for host

I spend a wonderful, pretty relaxed week in Paraparaumu. (Means not that there is no work to do...)
As I came to Robyn and Simon thy welcomed me warm-hearted and it was one of the best hosts I've had in NZ. They were always open for good conversations and their flexibility of giving working hours and spare time was awesome! Furthermore I have to… read more

(Excellent )

26/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Ascension & Fuensanta) for host

We spent a week enjoying the company of Robin and Simon. They are excellent hoster, the house is very well distributed so that the workaway has its own space and privacy .The house is very well located, you can walk to the town and the beautiful beach.
Thanks Simon for putting so much care into the meals!
We appreciate the details for us.We do… read more

(Excellent )

14/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Audrey) for host

I stayed 3 weeks with Robyn and Simon. 2 weeks were spent helping around the house inside (general chores involving cleaning) and outside(gardening, getting the patio ready for summer, raking leaves, etc.) and 1 week housesitting for them. They are extraordinary hosts who gave me the warmest of welcomes with a great beach house to my own to live… read more

(Excellent )

12/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Audrey)

Thanks for a wonderful couple of weeks, Audrey. :-)

For any potential hosts: Robyn and I can thoroughly recommend Audrey. She's a hard, versatile and conscientious volunteer (we had to insist she take a break at times), and very enjoyable company. During her time with us, she cleaned up our garden, water-blasted our back deck area (which is a BIG… read more

(Excellent )

14/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (Mille & Akita) for host

Our stay at Robyn and Simon's were our first workaway experience, and it couldn't have been any better!
Robyn and Simon are very fun, warm and welcoming people and we felt right at home.
They took us out on day trips and made sure we had a great time in Paraparaumu. Our time with Mary was great, she is fun and sweet, and it didn't feel like… read more

(Excellent )

10/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Mille & Akita)

Robyn and I are very grateful for the time Mille and Akita spent with us. Not only were they wonderful in helping to care for my elderly mother (who utterly adored them) and general household tasks, they were also really great fun and good company to have around the home. They really became a part of our family during the short time they were… read more

(Excellent )

10/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Katja & Frederik)

Katja and Frederik came to stay with us at short notice after another Workawayer pulled out at short notice due to illness. We couldn't have been happier at the way things turned out. These two friendly and outgoing young people fitted in with us from the moment they arrived.

One of the main areas we were wanting help in was in caring for my 92… read more

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 191665882775

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