Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
91.5 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
4
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
We are a well established charitable organization that has been operating for 37 plus years in beautiful Mohua/Golden Bay. The centre is dedicated to building resilience and sustainability through regenerative organic food production, education, events and our Local Food Shop. Welcoming volunteers into this special place in our park-like gardens has always been an important part of the success of our project. As we are a whānau/family and health focussed environment, the Sustainable Living Centre is an alcohol free and smoke free place.
Volunteering and Education:
Our centre provides education through the volunteer program, workshops and courses. Our volunteer program offers an exchange program ( 4 weeks minimum and long term options) where food and stay are exchanged for 20 hours of supporting the centre's growing program and events.
Events:
As a volunteer you will also be part of our seasonal events.
Winter: Winter solstice & Matariki (Māori New Year) and cozy doco/movie nights by the fire.
Spring: Sustainable Golden Bay Hui (2 day national interactive event around future sustainability) and the Spring Merriment Festival.
Summer: Pop up fundraising cafe's and eco tour series.
Autumn: The Harvest Festival and workshop series.
We are situated in Takaka, 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 all the local knowledge to find the best places, events and festivals in Mohua/Golden Bay. There is always an event, festival or gathering happening. So 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.
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
Mohua/Golden Bay is a region well known for it sustainable alternative approach to life and making a living. We are at the centre of this sustainable culture. Anyone with an interest in this topic will get something out of it that you can take home with you, whether it be regards regenerative growing or building and living in a resilient community etc...
Help
Most of the help requested will be in our gardens and orchards supporting our garden coordinators Rosie and Racheal. Besides that, there is also support needed for natural building projects on the land, food prep and serving at events and for our fundraiser pop up cafes through the summer months as well as cleaning the community facilities (two earth buildings and the ablution block). All of these jobs require a reasonable level of fitness and strength, hence we are looking for people who are keen to get stuck in a job with full dedication and energy.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Accommodation
Our centre has areas on the land where volunteers can park their van or pitch their tents. We also have an option for volunteers to stay in one of our earth buildings if the volunteer doesn't have a van or a tent. The Earth building is a shared lounge space with fire place and we do have a basic kitchen area for volunteers and staff to use. The kitchen has a fridge, cooker and oven. We also have some food processing equipment. There are toilets and a basic shower with hot water and washing machine in the ablution block. There is wifi available.
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
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 4 days a week
Feedback (4)
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
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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
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
