Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 21 days
Feedback
19
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Hi fellow travelers,
I use both the Helpx and Workaway platform
I'm Dan, and I would like to welcome a mature friendly and reliable helper to help me look after my precious four
legged friends, chickens and sheep.
I am looking for a mature friendly person that I can trust with my animals. You will be active and involved with
day to day life as a Kiwi. After your easy jobs, you have the opportunity to meet my friends, go exploring, help
me with food shopping etc.
About Me.......
I am a airport rescue firefighter and Builder(carpenter).
I am also a founding member of a NZ native tree restoration group. Its early days however, Its turning in a huge project.
I also sometimes rescue unwanted dogs and puppies.
I am a easy going guy with a great sense of humor and very friendly. I have lots of interests including hiking, camping, motorcycling, fishing on my boat, world travel and good conversation. I love having fun and love adventures
I have some spare motorcycle gear if you wish to come for a motorcycle ride and and explore. I am very safe. I love
the sense of freedom on a motorcycle.
I am open, honest and respectful of all cultures and life choices. I also love to travel and go overseas a Lot. I have been
to USA, Rarotonga, Easter island, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, and Italy.
I have a sensitive side to me, I will listen to your views and if you like we can discuss everything and anything over a bowl
of hokey pokey ice cream. I also have a ambitious business side. I work hard so i can play hard.
I am always joking and kidding around so it helps if you are a little crazy however if your shy It's ok, I can do all of the talking :)
I enjoy going out to dance sometimes, there is a local pub that has my kind of music and your welcome to come along.
You are on holiday so why not let your hair down!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In exchange for your help you will stay in a safe, comfortable and warm home.
I know lots of cheap or free fun activities that we can do together or on your own. You will have the opportunity to interact
with my friends and discover some of the "hidden gems" of Hawkes Bay that you can only do here. I am fully involved in making sure you have the best experience.
Help
Hi Workawayer
You will expect to help around 4 hours per day. Instructions are always very clear so you will know what to do.
You even get a instruction guide.
Most travelers say between 4 and 10 days. This is negotiable however this gives you enough time to explore and
Spend time with me and the dogs and this allows me to have some " Dan time" afterwards
The Dogs need to be walked in the Orchard every day and you will need to feed them some mornings and nights
depending on my work shift.
I need someone who is ok and self motivated enough to work on their own while I am at work.
Depending on my shift schedule, you will need be up at 7am to tend to the dogs while I am on my morning shift.
You will also make sure the dogs always have water as it gets very hot here. You may also help me with painting,
gardening, cooking, cleaning and helping me with projects. work is varied and is not too challenging or difficult
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis 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
You will stay in a safe, comfortable and warm home with meals we plan together.
I do my best to stay away from processed foods
Your own bedroom has a very comfortable bed. Your privacy is respected and you will have lots of opportunity to have
your own space.
I will provide food for breakfast, lunch and dinner however You will need to provide your own alcohol and treats. There is normally fruit around
What else ...
Hi I have many excellent references from another cultural exchange website, These are their own words.
From: Finland Date: June 6, 2019
What a fantastic stay I had at Dan's place! (Ended up overstaying by almost two weeks.) He is a great host - open-minded, attentive, fun to be around - and easy to make friends with. Get ready for lots of jokes and general goofiness!
Dan really cares about his helpers and will make sure you're happy and comfortable.
Work with the dogs was fun and rewarding: Walking, feeding and playing with them and learning some pack leader skills.
Dan was a very patient and supportive teacher. The dogs, Henry, Bear and Ben are adorable and very cuddly!
Other jobs, all of them easy, included making and stacking firewood (we made a good log splitting team!), garden work, housework and cooking. Dan also cooks delicious meals.
The rest of the time was just fantastic! We hung out a lot and had numerous interesting conversations, totally forgetting
the passing of time a couple of times. :D
Dan is full of ideas and knows some really cool spots to visit in Hawke's Bay. There may also be some surprises awaiting!
It's worth taking the bicycle out for a ride even though the hills are big and sometimes a bit steep; there is an amazing
view down into the valley not too far from the house.
It was awesome to meet some of Dan's friends and to see authentic Kiwi life. I'll always remember our pizza and singalong party, and watching sheep get their hooves cleaned! Unforgettable memories!
I am looking forward to meeting you Dan and the barkin' buddies again. Thank you heaps for having me! This was definitely among the best experiences I've had.
From: Japan Date: April 13, 2019
I stayed with Dan 4 days.
He is always kind,with nice smile:)
We talked a lot about each personality, life, culture, travel ...etc with joking. He is so funny! We had so much fun we
forgot about the time!
Dogs are so friendly and adorable!
You respect their personality. and then, they feel more comfortable. but no worries, you can become friends with them
soon.
I wanna take them to Japan haha
Job was easy. I took dogs walk to park in the morning, feeding. this is dairy and good for my health too.
weeding, painting the wall, clean the house, car wash... job can be change everyday.
His house is so clean, calm with beautiful rose garden.
He cooked very well and also you can enjoy cooking in big kitchen.
I slept in king size bed. it's so comfy.
Everything was so nice!
It was great to meet you Dan. I appreciate to everything. I wanna high recommend that you meet him:)
From: France Date: September 5, 2018
Dan is an amazing person. We were suppose to stay for two weeks, but at the end we stayed two months as we find
a job around.
He is a really a nice and positive guy. More than a helpx host, he became a friend.
We felt really good here, like a second home.
For 4 hours per day (sometimes less) we did gardening, walking and taking care of the dogs, some cleaning... And
everything always in a good mood.
He have lots of great stories to tell, you can not get bored with him !
We get a lots of nice conversations about all subjects, what is really great. We can talked about everything, in the
respect of everyone opinion.
We won't forget Dan and the dogs !! We will see us again, in NZ or in Europe :)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Feedback (10)
Dan's pretty laid back in terms of the help required and looks at jobs which… read more
As it turned out, we unexpectedly found work close to Dan’s place, and he kindly offered us… read more
Petra and Michaela make an exceptional team, complementing each other's strengths. They were… read more
The work is well explained and easy to complete. Was fun to take care of dogs, sheep and chicken. I also did some gardening tasks such as mowing the lawn and do some weeding. I enjoyed cooking, doing the groceries and taking care of the house every day.
Dan is a really good host… read more
Emilie got a full-time job on orchids and still managed to help me with the… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
Dan's pretty laid back in terms of the help required and looks at jobs which… read more
As it turned out, we unexpectedly found work close to Dan’s place, and he kindly offered us… read more
Petra and Michaela make an exceptional team, complementing each other's strengths. They were… read more
The work is well explained and easy to complete. Was fun to take care of dogs, sheep and chicken. I also did some gardening tasks such as mowing the lawn and do some weeding. I enjoyed cooking, doing the groceries and taking care of the house every day.
Dan is a really good host… read more
Emilie got a full-time job on orchids and still managed to help me with the… read more
Dan provided such a patient and welcoming atmosphere, with everything you need to make your stay comfortable.
The work was very reasonable and rewarding - I mean, you can't complain when you're working with dogs!
Dan has many many stories that I recommend you squeeze out of him! Spontaneous,… read more
The dogs and I will miss her. She is so funny and is full of great information. She brightens up each day.
Judith worked well and with a big smile on her face each day. My friends liked her as well
I loved Judith's British humor, you… read more
She walked them daily as well as feeding them and the unpleasant task of poo patrols. She spends a lot a time with them and they seem more excited to see her than… read more
I can't complain about anything and I had a great time.
I got well instructed about the regular maintenance and dog caring jobs as well as additional jobs. There's a schedule for the tasks he wants to get done on a regular base and a white board for the rest. I… read more
Good experience
PS: I love the dogs
Any host will benefit from Franzi's positive attitude and great work ethics. Everyone likes her and she fits into any situation.… read more
Andrea is a honest, awesome worker and great with my dogs(no easy task). Andrea walked them daily as well as
feeding them.
Andrea kept the house clean and tidy . She was interactive and are honestly interested in conversations.
Andrea joined in on activities with enthusiasm. It's so good… read more
The dogs and I will miss her so much. She is so funny and is full of life. She brightens up each day.
Charlotte worked tirelessly at a very job without complaining with a big smile on her face each day and went more than the extra… read more
I helped with taking care of… read more
