Ex-guesthouse and kiwi family near Whataroa, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of four who own an old guesthouse, on the beautiful wild West Coast of New Zealand. We are located an hour’s drive south of Hokitika, and 30 minutes drive north of Franz Josef Glacier. If you love nature, hiking, fishing, hunting, exploring.. you’ll love it here.
  
  We will host couples or friends travelling together - it’s not ideal being solo as the family is busy and you could be lonely. We’re not hosting solo males.
  
  Our home is a large building on a very large property, and it’s hard to keep up with it on our own, especially as we have “real” jobs now too.
  
  We have a few projects happening this summer that we would love some help with.
  
  A storm blew away part of our shed, so we’re looking for people with good fitness and strength to dig holes, help carry timber and roofing materials, and participate with the rebuild.
  
  The gardens are very overgrown - anyone who can prune and dig and remove weeds are super welcome. There is also wood to split and stack, grass to cut..
  
  Inside the house, we have some painting help in some awkward spots, cleaning/organising/decluttering…
  
  We’re also looking for responsible housesitters over the Christmas and New Year period.
  
  We offer a lovely warm home and good company, we love meeting people and making new friends. We have a very energetic Labrador who would love you to take him swimming and walking down by the river (next to our property) and a rescued cat who is afraid of everyone but may improve with time.
  
  You’ll need your own car to make the most of the area - we’re some kilometres from the nearest town (though right on the main highway) and our place can feel quite isolated without transport.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  If you want to experience life with a very relaxed rural kiwi family, we fit that bill! We love to share our skills and learn from you, give you advice on local attractions, hikes, or you can just simply relax or read a book.

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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 ask for 3-4 hours help per day, five days per week, as well as participating in our family's normal daily housework. I’m not the time police, we work around your plans so you can make the most of your time here.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We provide a private room with your own bathroom, wifi, and your main meals. You provide your own snacks. If you do have a specific diet (vegan/veg/allergies) you'll need to bring your own proteins and specialty foods to hold you over for a few days, until we know more about you and can order what you need. There are no grocery stores here.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Miles Beguiles Epsilon Blast Railgun E (7 months)

  Miles is a rescue cat who is afraid of humans but is also the most excellent cat who does excellent cat things. He cannot ever go outdoors, he is a predator and we must protect our wildlife.

  

  Ashley Oswald (4 years)

  Ash is a black Labrador Retriever, he is bred to be a working dog instead of a pet, so he has a lot of energy and needs firm boundaries. He is also a big cutie who loves belly rubs and all of your attention. He is allowed indoors when supervised, and you must say “big stretch” when he has a big stretch. It’s the dog law.

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