Profile information
Host rating
Not yet rated
Feedback
-
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
Hi! I'm Lauren, a Kiwi artist who works in the film industry, and my husband Mirko is a German web developer.
At the moment I’m taking time off work, and Mirko often works remotely from home—so as your hosts, we’ll usually be around and available to get to know you, offer tips on what to do in the area, and share our favourite spots in the Wellington region.
We both love cooking and sharing good meals, and there’s always a fresh loaf of Mirko’s homemade sourdough in the kitchen. We also enjoy playing board games on rainy nights and love welcoming new people into our home.
Our Project:
We’re looking for help with gardening and backyard landscaping.
Our current focus is building a brick and pebble path, planting out the surrounding area, and moving materials (like buckets of pebbles) from the street to the backyard via steps or a sloping path. It’s physical work, but satisfying, and we’d be grateful for help from someone who’s practical and enjoys being outdoors.
Our Place:
We live in a beautiful, character-filled home in a quiet, green neighbourhood close to Petone. We’re lucky to be near native bush walks, the ocean, local cafes, and the train station, so it’s easy to explore the wider Wellington region from here.
What to See and Do Nearby:
Nature & Walks
Hutt River Trail
Belmont Regional Park
Percy Scenic Reserve
Pencarrow Lighthouse (bike hire available)
Tararua Forest Park (overnight hut options)
Putangirua Pinnacles (a Lord of the Rings filming location)
Culture & History:
Dowse Art Museum (my favourite gallery that often has events)
Petone Settlers Museum
Truby King House & Gardens
The Glebe historic house
Petone’s Jackson Street (cafés, shops, heritage vibe)
Day Trips:
Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary in Wellington
Matiu/Somes Island or Kapiti Island (accessible by ferry)
Eastbourne coast walk or cycle
Martinborough wine village and weekend market
Castlepoint beach & lighthouse
Cape Palliser and seal colony
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We love meeting people from different backgrounds and believe that cultural exchange is one of the best parts of hosting. We’re happy to share what we know about New Zealand culture, local history, and my experience working in the film industry and arts. We’re also a bilingual household—Mirko's mother-tongue is German and mine is English. I have been learning German so there are great opportunities for language exchange if you're interested in improving your skills.
As hosts, we enjoy spending time with travellers, whether that’s sharing meals, chatting over coffee, going for a walk, or playing board games in the evening. We like to make our guests feel welcome and part of the household, and we’re always happy to offer tips for exploring the area or help plan a local adventure.
In return, we love learning about other cultures, ways of life, and different perspectives. Hosting is a way for us to stay connected with the wider world and bring fresh energy into our home.
You would have your own room if you need your own space to relax. It is a large room with a desk and space to set up a yoga mat.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for someone mainly help with physical tasks in the garden such as digging holes, carrying up gravel for drainage, planting. I will be working with you and we will have builders working on a sleepout and deck that might need some help and a landscaper laying a brick path.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We both speak fluent English, Mirko speaks fluent German and I speak intermediate German and happy to practice it.
Accommodation
Yes, we offer a private bedroom with a comfortable sofa bed, and we provide all the bedding. The room is large and has a desk, a wardrobe, and enough space to roll out a yoga mat or just relax. It’s warm and cosy with central heating, making it a great place to unwind.
You’ll also have access to our shared bathroom, kitchen, lounge, and sunny deck. We want you to feel at home and welcome to use the shared spaces as part of the household.
What else ...
If you come with a car there is free parking on the street, if you come by public transport I can pick you up. There is a train station 15min walk away which takes you into Wellington City in 20mins. In the local area there is Petone which has a beach and lots of cafes. Walks and hikes. The Dowse Gallery is 5mins away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is unlimited internet and a desk in your room
Space for parking camper vans
There is an off-street car pad you can park on
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Photos
