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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Mar 2025
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Details
Description
Our vision is a world where communities of people are deeply connected to nature and each other, life is sustainable, and food is healthy. We promote regenerative organic practices and sustainable living, though sharing and knowledge and resources and providing facilities for community connection.
The Sustainable Living Centre works to create a local food hub, regenerative market garden, garden allotments, supply garden resources, offers education programmes and info hub, community events, venue hire, pop up cafes, volunteer opportunities, and aim to support community enterprises.
It began as Golden Bay Community Gardens in 1986 to serve the community in organic food production, education and community building. We lease over one hectare of Maori freehold land, owned by its customary owners. It is part of a larger original papakainga, which encompassed the Tākaka area. We acknowledge the Owners of this land, the direct descendants of Rameka Te Ketu and Meri Mataiawa, who belong to the iwi of Ngati Tama.
*Where we are*
We are situated in Tākaka, very close to the centre of this small but very buzzing and diverse town in beautiful Mohua/Golden Bay. The scenery in Golden Bay is one of the most spectacular in Aotearoa/New Zealand as its so diverse. From golden sand beaches and turquoise waters to mighty mountains with spectacular walking tracks through the high terrain in the Southern Alps, to the wild and vast natural landscape of the Golden Bay west coast with its endless sand dunes and wild life. The ocean is warm in summer and the rivers with their scenic swimming holes very refreshing and clean. It is truly paradise! We are a positive and passionate bunch of people dedicated to making life better for all being on the planet. We love to give you local knowledge to find the best places, events and festivals in Mohua/Golden Bay. There is always an event, festival or gathering happening, so there's plenty to explore and do. We also have a great network and connections with other volunteer exchange hosts and communities to find other places to stay after your stay with us if you want to stay longer in Golden Bay.
*Forms and stuff:*
Please read our policies before signing up for our program, we are a drug and alcohol-free zone due to being a family-focussed educational centre.
We will review how things are going (for you and for us) after one week, and if it's not working out we may ask you to leave (we hope not!).
*Cancelling your stay:*
We understand that things change when you're travelling, but we really love to know this well in-advance. We hope that you give us about 2-weeks notice if you are planning on changing your dates.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
*What we will give you:*
Knowledge - Each week we aim to give you some dedicated teaching time. This will (hopefully) cover:
Propagation - how to sow seeds effectively & water.
Foraging in Aotearoa - Healthy weeds to eat and use in the garden.
Composting - how to build and flip composts
Feeding the soil - JMS, foliar feeds, Comfrey & nettle teas
OR Preserving - if available - kimchi/relishes/pickles/drying herbs/drying fruit.
OR Earthbuilding - if tutor is available - working on Earthbuildings.
Access to bikes - We have a few bikes to get to town (~5mins cycle) and to the nearby beaches (~25mins).
Help
20hrs focussed and enthusiastic work - Although we are a community garden, we also function as a commercial market garden and so need some things to be done quickly and efficiently. We love to teach, and understand that you are learning as you go; but we hope that you will give as much as you can.
One weekend of your stay - We ask that once during your stay you commit to checking the seedling watering, and re-stocking the stall. This only takes an hour each day, and we will reduce your hours in the week to make up for this.
Functions and events - Most Summer stays will involve a Community Event, we would love you to help make these happen and will give you time off, or delicious treats, to make sure that the energy exchange feels fair.
In Spring you can expect to be getting beds ready to sow, propagate and plant seedlings, and (of course) weeding.
In Summer, you can expect to be tending plants, sowing salads, weeding, and lots of watering.
In Autumn you can expect to be getting beds ready to sow, propagate and plant seedlings, and a large amount of harvesting from our Orchard.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation is in either our Earthbuilding or Cabins. Or you may choose to stay in your van.The Earth building is a shared attic above our volunteer lounge space (with fire place and books etc.).
The cabins are two single accommodations (without electricity), and look out onto our beautiful gardens.
Our life is based on maximizing time in the outdoors, and you do walk between our facilities.
We have a basic kitchen with a fridge, cooker and oven; and some food processing equipment.
We have a washing machine on-site.
And, WiFi!
Food - we have a budget that will be shared between the volunteers for dry goods. Our freezer is stocked with harvest from last year, and as fruit and veg come into season you will have access to fantastic regeneratively-grown food. We encourage slowing down, by buying pulses and spending time to make nourishing food. You will be cooking your own meals, and we will share a community lunch once a week.
What else ...
If you don't have your own transport, you can arrive in Mohua/Golden Bay with the local Golden Bay Coachlines busses. It's an easy walk into Takaka township.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (7)
If you are looking for the woofer's heaven, don't think twice and come put your hands in the soil of the Community Garden of Tākaka!
Surrounded by the most vibrant, smart, playful and alive people, you will see yourself blooming like a little flower. The managers are putting a lot of trust on their volunteers and communication… read more
During my time there, I planted tomatoes, sunflowers, and herbs. I also helped build tomato trellises, made compost, learned about JMS (a super cool fertiliser), and helped out at one… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
If you are looking for the woofer's heaven, don't think twice and come put your hands in the soil of the Community Garden of Tākaka!
Surrounded by the most vibrant, smart, playful and alive people, you will see yourself blooming like a little flower. The managers are putting a lot of trust on their volunteers and communication… read more
During my time there, I planted tomatoes, sunflowers, and herbs. I also helped build tomato trellises, made compost, learned about JMS (a super cool fertiliser), and helped out at one… read more
The work was varied, fair, fun and well organised thanks to Rosie, Rachel, Martine and team. As a novice, I felt really encouraged and included. Examples of work included: harvesting and planted… read more
Rosie, Rachel, Colin, Martina, Murray... such a wonderful team and souls.
We work couple of days with Rachel and the rest of our three weeks with Rosie. Every morning we started talking about something interesting, not just about the job. And then we started working many… read more
I had a fantastic time, and it was one of my favourite parts of my trip in NZ.
The volunteering -
Was 8 - pm1 when I was there, and very enjoyable. There was variation in what tasks you did (Harvest days Mon and Thurs was my favourite, as was weeding!), and the garden coordinators… read more
From the moment I arrived I felt welcome, comfortable and at home. Each member of the team as well as all the local people who have plots on the land were so friendly, generous and open.
It felt so meaningful to be part of such a valuable community space!
The… read more
