Two friends or a couple welcome to help on the stunningly beautiful Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  It's a good idea to check out Aotea (Great Barrier Island) where we live and how to get here before you apply. If you are going to stay for more than a couple of weeks do talk to us about helping with ferry fares
  
  We (husband and wife) live in a large architecturally designed house on 4 hectares of land overlooking Tryphena Harbour
  We have a large garden - both ornamental and vegetables from which we eat. While not totally organic we try to use organic techniques to grow our food
  We always have masses of projects going on, as we attempt to be as self sufficient as possible - without losing out on the luxuries of life. Our projects include gardening, chickens, wormfarms, building, more gardening etc etc
  Aotea (Great Barrier Island) has no reticulated power or water. So we have 16 solar panels, which provide most of our power. Our water is from a spring (imagine water that has been filtered for thousands of years with no chemical addatives) or rainwater.
  Our water is heated by the sun, and when this isn't hot enough we have a wetback to warm it. Heating is with a fire. But this been said we have all the modern appliances - to make life as easy as possible.
  We always have lots of projects But this year what we are concentrating on is:
  The garden - both vegetables and ornamental. While not 100% organic we use organic principals to grow the food we eat. So tasks include:
  seed raising, planting, weeding, pruning, mulching and harvesting. It also includes fertilising which involves waste from the chook pen and other goodies
  Collecting and preparing firewood
  Building a walkway, and making a track (Already done )
  Building a fence out of mainly foraged materials.
  Weedeating and general pruning work (only for those experienced)
  Painting the exterior of our glass house (it has wood framed second hand windows)
  Gardening, gardening and more gardening
  Looking after the chickens ,
  Bread making (we teach you how) And possibly pickle, cordial and jam making (depending on the season)
  Composting - including collecting seaweed etc
  And of course general housework and window cleaning
  
  We are looking for self motivated, hard working, physically fit, responsible and energetic people who like a variety of work and who appreciate healthy living, good conversation, interesting ideas, a bit of crazy humour, scenic beauty and physical activity. Volunteers need to be able to work independently, as although we are mostly around, we are often busy with our own work. Therefore we are more suited to people who have lived away from home for a few years - so age 20+ rather than your first experience away from home.
  
  We are non-smokers and prefer you are too.
  
  Comfortable accommodation, good food, and beautiful surroundings are what we offer in return for your assistance around the property.
  
  Look forward to hearing from you
  
  I also appreciate if you let us know if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies. Living on an island it can be really hard to cater for these.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live very close to nature in a very comfortable way and while living with us we will give you tips on doing the same
  Due to being off grid we necessarily live fairly sustainably and when you are with us you too will need to learn to live like this. ie Minimizing water and power useage
  We have a large garden - both ornamental and vegetables from which we eat. While not totally organic we try to use organic techniques to grow our food

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We always have lots of projects, but in 2025 we are concentrating on:
  
  Gardening - weeding,mulching,pruning,feeding, watering, planting and harvesting, collecting seaweed from the beach
  Assistance with tree felling and cutting firewood
  Pickles and jams etc
  Painting _ exterior
  Cleaning
  Looking after the chickens and our newly re-homed dog
  Gardening, composting, planting and general garden maintenance
  And always lots of other stuff
  
  We are negotiable on how we work the hours of work so you have time to explore our wonderful island. What we prefer is that you assist us for 5 hours a day 5 days a week, but as I said we are negotiable on that
  
  We are looking for people who can think for themselves and think they could assist with any of the above projects
  A reasonable level of maturity and independent thinking is needed

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  In the house (very comfortable - but we are there)
  or seperate caravan accommodation

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  What else ...

  We are negotiable on hours and conditions - if we are right for each other - and our mutual needs and wants.
  What has suited us in the past is you work during the week days and then have the weekend off to explore, go surfing or whatever

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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