Help us get on top of things like animal care and the house /gardens in Christchurch, New Zealand.

New Zealand

Favourited 475 times

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Feedback
98
Last activity
08/08/2020
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2021

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Description
Hi there, we are Nico & Pien, a young at heart middle aged couple.
22 years ago we emigrated from The Netherlands to New Zealand together with our 2 sons.
We live on a 50 acre farmlet about 45 km North West of Christchurch, together with 8 sheep, Sam the dog, 3 cats and a few chickens.
Most of the land is leased out these days but the house and gardens are a constant labour of love, as well as the vege garden, lots of fruit and nut trees, that need pruning, trimming and so on.
We grow 2500 Paeonies which need desbudding in October and cutting in November.
We both work part time in the hospital.
Workawayers are welcome to stay up to around 7 days
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
...
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What's this?
Help
We would love to hear from you if you like a challenge, have a good sense of humor and is willing to help us with gettting on top of things like gardening, weeding, cleaning . There is never a dull moment on our farmlet. The vege garden needs constant attention, trees trimming, cleaning the grounds from fallen branches, bonfires , fire wood stacking. It would be nice if some one else can cook a meal at times, or do some home baking.
In exchange for helping us we provide you with accomodation and the meals .
Think of fresh eggs and veges and the quiet peace full surroundings .
Please note we like to see a face when we are corresponding and also a profile.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Accommodation
We have 1 spare bedroom available with 2 single beds. Unless you want to put up a tent in the fruit garden.......
What else ...
We live North West from Christchurch in a small township. Please be aware there is no public transport here. The nearest shops are 11km, or 18km away.
There is a petrol station 5 km from us. It is only a good hour to Mount Hutt if you like skiing / snowboarding in winter. There are nice tramping routes in Oxford (11 km away). Hamner Springs might be a nice day trip as well. It is very nice quiet and relaxing (most of the times).
If needed we will pick you up and drop you off in Christchurch
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days

Photos

Moshe from Israël tackles the vege garden and weeks. October 2019

Lily from Israël desbudding Paeonies October 2019

Hisako from Japan. One of her favourite moments, feeding a petlamb July 2019

Best Friends Forever, Tess from Germany and Sam having a private conversation. April 2019

Caroline & Max from Germany dismantled,cleaned and putting the conservatory back together on a surprise stay. Nov 2018

Maike from Germany having a cuddle with some chicks, Nov 2018

Kenny from Taiwan giving a wee lamb a cuddle. Sept 2018

Show all photos

Great helping hands from Leonie & Paula from Germany and J from South Korea.paeony season November 2017

Carlijn from the Netherlands, a knight in shining armour at start of Paeonie season November 2017

Louise from Denmark filling her days with desbudding Paeonies. Oct/November 2017

Marie & Lorena from Germany preparing breakfast for the calves. September 2017

Audran from France doing his best with his tinkering skills. August 2017

Nayeong & Dong-uk from South Korea on their way with a bucket of milk to feed Lulu. March 2017

French team Charles & Tiffany giving the garage door a new life. February 2017

Feedback left by and about host (98)

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:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

04/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Lilian & Moshe) for host

Fantastic hosts, warm, welcoming, open minded, interesting, generous...we spent the most wonderful week with Nico and Pien. It was a real pleasure to work with them, learn new things and share life experiences. They have a beautiful cozy home and it is apparent everywhere - inside and outside - that everything is taken care of in the most loving… read more

(Excellent )

04/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Lilian & Moshe)

Dear Lily & Moshe,
What a great week we had while you stayed with us.
And how much has been achieved !!!
It is a pleasure to look at the garden beds in the vege garden, the fruit trees and the paeonies.
Thanks you very much for your work, nice conversations , and above all your company.

(Excellent )

01/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Hisako) for host

Dear Nico and Pien.
Thank you very much for wonderful a week.
It was my first workaway. I had no idea how's workaway is. Now i know its amazing system for give experience to travelers.
I've got amazing experience Which feed and touch lamb and calf. Driving tractor, saw the dog's work for sheep.
You two are always kind and fun, gave me best… read more

(Excellent )

31/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Hisako)

Dear Hisako,
It was a pleasure to be your first Workaway host. You fitted in well and there was always a smile on your face. You approached each task with enthousiasm and are a keen learner.
Thanks for all your help and have safe happy travels.
Cheers,
Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

10/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Theresa) for host

Dear Pien & Nico,
It has been a pleasure to be a volunteer for you both for the last week.
You both are super love warm-hearted persons, why it wasn't a big deal for me to fitted in well in your daily routine. From the first second, you made me feel that I am more then welcome in your home. As I've written in your Guestbook before, this the best… read more

(Excellent )

10/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Theresa)

Dear Tess, a big thank you for all you have done over the last week.
It was a pleasure to be a host for you.
You are an amazing brave young woman, not shy of getting your hands dirty, always smiling and nothing was to much.
You fitted in really well and we have the feeling you were at home and yourself.
All the best for your adventures which lay… read more

(Excellent )

28/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Maike)

Dear Maike,

First of all thank you for giving us lots of helping hands with our flower season. You worked very hard, always a smile on your face, willing to give a hand with preparing meals and loved to gather new experiences. Interested how things were done and why , loved new recipes.
It was a pleasure to be a host for you, you fitted in well… read more

(Excellent )

27/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Maike) for host

I would have given even more stars if I would be able to do that.
Pien and Nico were always happy to show me their way of living and farming. I had a nice fotoshooting with the chickens, know nearly everything about peonies (okay, not everything, but quite a lot) and how to produce fertilizer with tiger worms. Pien can cook amazing dishes and she… read more

(Excellent )

09/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Shizuka) for host

Dear Nico & pien.
I stayed there a week. It was just like a dream life.
there are living a lovely family. My work was usually pick up the waste flower after washed the buckets. It looked like a easy but little bit back was heart than I thought.
But after we drunk morning tea when after we worked about 2 hours.
I love that time an I enjoyed coffee… read more

(Excellent )

09/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Shizuka)

Dear Shizuka,

It has been a pleasure to be a host for you.
And what a week we had with very warm days and desbudding,desbudding ,then onto cleaning sooo many buckets and cutting fabric.
You fitted in really well, took everything in your stride and was keen to get to learn new tasks and experiences.
All the best for the rest of your stay in New… read more

(Excellent )

14/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (TENG-KAI) for host

Dear Nico & Pien
Thank you for a wonderful workaway experience! I truly enjoy every moment staying in your little paradise . Experiencing totally different life style makes me so relaxed.
Working with you and enjoying food with you are so nice.
A week time passed like a dream. Thank you for everything:)
Kenny

(Excellent )

13/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (TENG-KAI)

Hello Kenny,

A very big thank you for.....feeding lambs, cooking a meal, collecting eggs, carrying firewood, helping with fruitcage, omving fences, collecting hazelnuts, making a bonfire ,your stories and our discussions, telling us about Taiwan, you fitted in well and approached every task with enthousiasm.
All the best and who knows we might… read more

(Excellent )

08/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Diana & Weston)

Dear Two,

Thanks so much for your great help over the last week.
You both are enthousiastic, helpfull, settled in very well and nothing was to much.
We are keeping warm , the chooks are enjoying a clean chookhouse.....
The ratatouille you prepared will be a favourite on our menu list.
Enjoy the rest of your travels and all the best.
Please call… read more

(Excellent )

01/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (SUNGJAE) for host

It was more like a meditation to stand in the middle of the gorgeous peonies, chinese nation flower..

I was pretty lucky to get a big lift from picton after getting off the night ferry from wellington, and join this lovely nordic style farm.
I remember one dutch lady kept on asking me about hitchhiking when i just arrived(later on, she hitched to… read more

(Excellent )

04/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (SUNGJAE)

Hi J,

Thanks for helping us with our flower season which is always a stressful,busy time.
You fitted in well and had very interesting stories to tell.
Thanks for the meals you prepared ,I will try to make some as well.
All the best on your travels and we hope you wil find what you are looking for.

Cheers,
Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

10/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Carlijn) for host

I really enjoyed my time with Pien and Nico, it was exactly what I needed after a few weeks of travelling. They were busy with the flowers that had to be picked, and although the work could be a bit repetitive, it was always fair and doable with chats and Pien's delicious meals in between. The farm feels homely and their cats and dog are always up… read more

(Excellent )

26/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Carlijn)

Dear Carlijn,

Thank you sooooo much for coming here on short notice to help with harvesting Paeonies who were much earlier to be cut than normal.
Even if your stay was short, we enjoyed having you around .
You fitted in nicely and just got on with the flowers as was needed.
Thanks for your nice prepared meal.
All the best.

Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

04/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Paula)

Hello Paula,

It was a pleasure to be a host for you.
And wow did we get a few Paeonies.
It was a huge help you were there and we so enjoyed your company.
Thanks for the beautiful meals you prepared.
All the best for the rest of your travels and have a great kiwi Christmas.

Cheers,
Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

03/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Louise) for host

I had the best time staying with Nico and Pien! I felt so welcome and loved the feeling of having a home away from home, where my help was very appreciated.
Even though spending hours in the flower field wasn't the most exciting thing imaginable, I wasn't bored at any time. I loved how having coffee breaks was a very important part of the day -… read more

(Excellent )

02/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Louise)

Dear Louise,

It has been a pleasure to be a host for you for the last week.
You are an easy to please person, who fitted in well in our daily routine.
Even if desbudding paeonies gets a bit boring after a while you never complaint and just got on with it.
Thanks for sharing recipes, telling stories and give us a little bit of an in sight in your… read more

(Excellent )

20/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Marie & Lorena) for host

If you come to Pien and Nico you just feel like your at home. We fed the calves every morning, weeded weed, cuddeled with the dogs and enjoy every day amazing meals which Pien cooked for us. All in all we had a lovely time there.

(Excellent )

15/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Marie & Lorena)

Dear Marie & Lorena

Breakfast.....feeding the calves.....morning tea and a chat.....weeding.....lunchtime and a chat.......collecting hazelnuts,or some more weeding,baking cooking.......dinner and....dessert and a chat....zzzzz. Bedtime
Thanks for looking after the calves,cats chickens and all the weeding that you have done.
The road side looks… read more

(Excellent )

22/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (CAMILLE & Marie) for host

Dear Nico&Pien,

I didn't forget you but my last month in NZ was really intensive ! Thank you very much for welcoming me. It was a short stay but I felt at home soon the first day :) It was a pleasure to take care of your animals and to eat delicious meats !! Cheers. Marie.

(Very good )

11/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (CAMILLE & Marie)

Dear Marie,

Your stay was short, sharp and sweet due to the unpredictable weather.
Thank you for your help,conversations,laughs, yammy Madeleines.
It was nice to meet you and please do come in if you are passing by.
All the best for you in the future.

Cheers,
Nico & Pien

(Very good )

17/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Audran) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,
It has been a pleasure to meet you both, to help you and spend some good time with you during these 10 days.
I am pleased having been helpful for some tinkering, shooting and other things.
I spend some great time with you both, you are so friendly, and thank you again Pien for the delicious meals!
I hope all the best for you… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Audran)

Dear Audran,

It was a pleasure to be hosts for you over the last 8 days.
We were very pleased with your tinkering and computer skills.
Thanks for all your help,company ,stories.
All the best en enjoy the rest of your stay Down Under.

Cheers,
Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

13/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Charles & Tiffanie) for host

What to say...It was just perfect and far better than what we excepted for our 1st experience.
Pien and Nico were very careful and gave us different tasks so we could never get bored. They also make sure we had everything to complete our tasks.
But on top of it we had very very good time chatting and sharing life moment with them which we will… read more

(Excellent )

02/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Charles & Tiffanie)

Dear French team,

It was apleasure to hosting you.
You fitted in really well and to us it seemed you felt at home.
Thank you for all the finished tasks,like weeding and weeding and weeding ,painting, cleaning porch,feeding Loulou every morning and topping the paddock on the tractor.we enjoyed your company in those days.
All the best and… read more

(Excellent )

21/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Nayeon & Dong Uk) for host

Our experience at Nico and Pien's farm couldn't be better! It was wonderful farm stay for a week. We felt so comfortable and welcoming and Pien's food for every meal was awesome! We will not forget morning coffee time at veranda and evening coffee around fireplace over dessert and Enya music. It was sweet time! The work was inspiring and various… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Nayeon & Dong Uk)

Hello Nayeon & Dong-uk,

You are an inspirational couple who fitted in well .
Thank you for all the weeding, cleaning Paeonies paddock,helping with demolition of bathroom ,doing the dishes ,feeding Lulu twice a day ,getting Daisy in for milking etc etc.
You embraced every task with enthousiasm,gave every thing a try.
Thanks for the nice… read more

(Excellent )

20/01/2017

Left by Workawayer (Lou Anne & Damien) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,
Thank you very much for hosting us. We spent 10 amazing days with you. From the moment we walked in, we felt very welcomed. We enjoyed spending time outside, feeding Lulu, weeding, thinning the apples and trying to find the bulls with Nico ! We even experienced 4W drive thanks to you ! This has been a really nice experience… read more

(Excellent )

19/01/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lou Anne & Damien)

Dear Lou and Damien,

Merci beaucoup for all the helping hands over the last 9 days.
The hedge at the front and the hazelnut trees looks neat and tidy, apples can grow and we are waiting to have a big bonfire after your clearing of branches etc.
Lou you are an amazing baker and cook, thanks for the recipes.
Damien,thanks a lot for your IT… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Antonia)

Dear German A team,

Thank you very much for your company over the last 10 days.
You three worked as a well oiled team,with a good sense of humor .
Even when the flowers kept coming you kept smiling.
Your prepared lunch and tea were yummy.
Future host ,your house will be filled with laughter and chatting and a good job will be done if you… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Antonia) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,
We had an awesome stay with you. We felt very welcome and comfortable at your farm from the first day on. The "work" (picking peonies) was more a daily task which brought a lot of fun with it like guessing the amount of flowers, listening to the radio, being outside, looking at beautiful flowers. You are lovely, generous and… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Heiko)

Hello Heiko,
Short and sharp was your stay at our place.
Thanks for all the helping hands ,nice meal you prepared.
The painted stones are great ,we will think of you when we see them.
All the tasks we had for you were well done and the paeonie field is ready for cutting.
All the best for you.

Cheers,
Nico &Pien

(Excellent )

05/11/2016

Left by Workawayer (Heiko) for host

Dear Nico &Pien,
We had just 5 days together, way too short, but you can be sure I enjoyed every second.
So thank you for feeding me well Pien (homemade Nutella, do I have to say more?) and for letting me be part of your little farm or shall I say little oasis? I will miss all your lovely animals and the relaxed evenings with tea and the sweet… read more

(Excellent )

16/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Man Loo) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,

I think the overall experience is above excellent! I felt so warm and welcomed at your place. They are still so many things i wish I can learn from you. I love the different task and nice chating with both of you. You show a good example of how to live life and let the life live. Working in a farm is always interesting. And… read more

(Excellent )

16/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Man Loo)

Dear Lulu,

What a lovely ray of sunshine you are.
Always smiling,full of energy and finding a bright sight in everything.
Thank you so much for all your help,the lovely dishes you prepared,helping with the jigsaw,the lovely chats and above all looking so well after "little Lulu".
We are sure we will meet again.
All the best with the rest… read more

(Excellent )

29/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Charlotte & Jorrit) for host

Dear Nico & Pien,

Thank you for a great extended week at your home. We really felt at home and enjoyed both the variety of tasks and the nice evenings next to the fireplace! Pien, Hope you will finish the puzzles and Nico the fruitcage. We can recommend you to any workawayer! Thanks again for such a good time and hope to see you again somewhere… read more

(Excellent )

27/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Charlotte & Jorrit)

Dear dutch couple or should we say swedish.....

Thank you so much for all you have done for us.
We had a great time hosting you.
You two are well motivated and hard working,nothing is to much and you like a challenge or at least give it a go.
Thanks for the nice conversations,nice meals and above all your company.
Have a great year in New… read more

(Excellent )

25/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Jenny & Alicia ) for host

We had an absolutely brilliant time staying with Pien and Nico. They looked after us so well; plenty of coffee and tea breaks and so many delicious meals. We learnt lots about life on a farmlet and loved feeding the calves, riding the quad bike and doing some gardening. Very excited to grow our own veg and do lots of cooking when we get home with… read more

(Excellent )

24/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Jenny & Alicia )

Yeah,what can we say.....
It has been a great pleasure to host you.
You fitted in really well, nothing was to much and it looked that you two were really enjoying the tasks.
Thanks for all the help ,the laughs ,nice conversations and your company for 10 great days filled with your laughter.
Looking forward to filling the tunnelhouse and… read more

(Excellent )

13/06/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Boon Nie)

Dear Boon,

Or should we say queen of the nuts?
If it was not the hazelnuts then it was walnuts and even almonds.....
Thank you for your company,help,interesting conversations and big help with our daily chores like feeding pigs and chooks, getting cow in for milking , and of course collecting all the nuts.
It was a pleasure to be your… read more

(Excellent )

13/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Boon Nie) for host

Glad to stay with Nico and Pien for a week. It is my first farm stay in NZ. How cool to see them manage the household, farm job, garden and their part time job. So busy yet kinda relaxing. Awesome surrounding plants, birds, and animals. I get to herd the cattle, feed the pigs, milk the cow, collect nuts, crack the nuts... Plenty of tasks but not… read more

(Excellent )

03/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Klára) for host

Dear Nico and Pien, one word says everything - perfect.:) Thank you very much for letting me experience your dutchkiwi farm in Cantenbury. You are lovely people living in the lovely house. All the week I felt welcome and very comfortable. I approciate that I could choose work which I prefered. You know that I enjoyed the most collecting hazelnuts… read more

(Excellent )

01/06/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Klára)

Dear klara, the house seems a bit empty without your bubbly personality. It has been a pleasure to be a host for you. You fitted in easily and no task was to much.
Thanks for the lovely cooking and baking and not to forget all the jobs that are done or started and our interesting chats on the porch.
All the best and if you are in the… read more

(Excellent )

17/05/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Anežka & Jiří)

Dear Anezka and Jirka,

Thank you very much for staying with us.It was a pleasure to have you around,you fitted in very easily and to us it felt you were part of the household.
Many tasks have been tackled and we are sure we will be toasty warm this winter with all the fire wood that is waiting.
Also ,thanks for the nice meals you prepared,the… read more

(Excellent )

17/05/2016

Left by Workawayer (Anežka & Jiří) for host

Dear Pien and Nico,
we're sitting at the airport lounge, waiting for our plane to arrive and thinking about how lucky we are to have had a chance to spend our last days with you. The way you allowed us to join you in your daily lives for a while is something we will certainly remember and learn from.
We enjoyed helping you around with all the… read more

(Excellent )

21/03/2016

Left by Workawayer (Alex) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,

A huge thank you for giving me such a great first workaway experience. From the outset you made me feel very welcome and you were very friendly and patient throughout my stay, I felt very at home.

The work was fun and varied, no two days were the same and I learnt a lot. I had a great time driving the tractor and helping… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Alex)

Hi Alex,

It was a pleasure for us to give you your first workaway experience.
For us it worked out really well.
You enjoyed every task we had for you.
The fence line looks great ,as well as the hazelnuts.
You can add tractor driving to your skills as well as working wIth a grubber.
Thanks for that very nice meal and the yammy cookies you… read more

(Excellent )

08/02/2016

Left by Workawayer (Turid & Mats) for host

Dear Pien and Nico,
You made us feel so at home from the minute we arrived.
8 days flew by and we so enjoyed every single one of them.
Thank you for giving us an unforgettable week.
We enjoyed tasks of all sorts, we loved the good chats, the delicious meals and cakes :-) and the completely quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
Thanks a bunch for… read more

(Excellent )

08/02/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Turid & Mats)

Dear Turid and Mats,

How many times can you say THANK YOU.
It has been a pleasure to have you staying with us.
We have made good progress with all the projects we have.
And how nice it was not to have to worrie about cooking, it got all done for us.
you fitted in really well and just had a look on the List and got on with a new… read more

(Excellent )

21/01/2016

Left by Workawayer (Ruben) for host

Hi Nico and Pien. This was my first time as a volunteer in a farm and I have to say that I learnt lots of new things about calves, different kind of grass and of course, how to sand a door, which was a work I had never done!!
Thank you for your time, your conversation and your patient with me when I didn't know how to do something...

Take… read more

(Very good )

21/01/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Ruben)

hi Ruben,

Thank you for staying with us for the last week.
We enjoyed your company and all the conversations .
Hope your first workawayer experience was a good one.
Even if the weather was not that great for working outside,there are some jobs started like sanding doors inside,and the sawdust on some
parts of the garden and around the… read more

(Very good )

02/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)

Hello French team,

Merci beaucoup for all the hard work and also your French Culinair Cuisine.
You three worked as a well oiled team.
Even at the hot and long days while cutting the paeonies you kept on smiling.
We totally recommend you to future hosts.
All the best for the year to come for you.
Au revoir,

Nico & pien

(Excellent )

02/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Camille & Cyril)

Hello French team,

Merci beaucoup for all your hard work and also your beautiful French cuisine. You fitted in really well and worked as a well oiled team. Nothing was to much and even with the long long hot days while cutting the paeonies you kept on smiling. We will keep the game going for years to come.
All the best for your… read more

(Excellent )

14/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Seraina) for host

I can't say how much i enjoyed the 2 weeks that I could spent with Nico and Pien. It was great. Nico and Pien are so lovely people and they let me feel home from first moment on. Pien's cooking is so good. The work was a great mix and I learned a lot (driving tractor). I loved the time that I could spend with the lambs and with Heidi and Chip… read more

(Excellent )

08/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Seraina)

Hello you there,
Did the house seem empty this afternoon with you not there.
Thanks for staying and helping over the last 2 weeks.
You fitted in easily and it felt like you have lived here much longer.
Great the paeonies are dis budded, that is always a big job.
Your baking and cooked meals were beautiful.
You are a lovely energetic young… read more

(Excellent )

25/10/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Natalie)

Hi Natalie,we are hoping you are safe and sound. As you read in previous emails we were expecting you today.....
We understand plans can change ,but take the responsibility and just a minute to let your future hosts know-you are not coming anymore.we made arrangements and had to disappoint other workawayers as we were counting on… read more

(No show)

15/10/2015

Left by Workawayer (Maddie & Pat) for host

We stayed with Nico and Pien back in March and we had such a wonderful time. They are so friendly and welcoming. We learned a lot about life on the farm and loved getting to know their cuddly animals. They even took us to Christchurch so we could explore the city! They're really the best and we had a great first Workaway experience with them. Now… read more

(Very good )

01/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Maddie & Pat)

Hi Maddie and Pat, wow did you guys do a great job in that paeonie field. It looks so neat and tidy. Also a big thanks for your company ,your stories ,the meal you prepared and all the other bits and bobs you have been helping with. And do not worrie about the chocolate cake, practise makes perfect. Cheers, Nico &Pien

(Very good )

23/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Christine ) for host

I have enjoyed my stay with Nico and Pien a lot! For sure it's the place where I have learnt the most and done so many things that I liked and usually do at home!
Nico and Pien are two lovely people, I felt very welcome at the second I arrived. Pien cooked us really yummy dinner and dessert which has been very well appreciated! and I was really… read more

(Excellent )

22/09/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Christine )

Future workawayer host,

Do not miss out to be a host for this switched on French young woman !!!
Christine is a woman of many trades , eager to learn new things which she will pick up easily.
she helped us with feeding calves, fencing, building a yard, tractor driving, garden work, a good baker and cook and looking after pet lambs ,just to… read more

(Excellent )

17/09/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Claire)

Hi Claire,

You are such a little trooper.
Thanks for giving us helping hands .
We enjoy the spring cleaned lounge .
Good luck with your visa.

Cheers,
Nico &Pien

(Very good )

06/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (naoko) for host

I stayed with Nico&Pien for about 1 week. They are awesome! Everyday they asked whether I sleep well or not. And they gave me a chance to choose if I want to do. They always try to keep a balance between work and time to relax. So I enjoyed both of them. I'm really glad to stay with them, that experience was so comfortable and meaningful to me.… read more

(Excellent )

06/09/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (naoko)

Dear Naoko, what do we do without you ?
You were a pleasure to have around,you so fitted in well with us.
Nothing was to much for you,eager to learn new things,very dedicated to the jobs.
Thank you so much for everything ,your good sense of humor,nice meal you cooked ,all the laughs and good conversations,your English is much much better then… read more

(Excellent )

11/08/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Fernanda & Pieter-Jan)

Hi Nanda,
your stay with us brightened up the dull winter days from last week.
you were willing to do every task, once shown how to do things you got on with it.
very helpful and eager to learn.
the "babies" are missing you, and Sophie cannot settle in the evenings.
thanks for all your help ,good luck with the study and who knows we might… read more

(Very good )

10/08/2015

Left by Workawayer (Fernanda & Pieter-Jan) for host

My first experience on the farm could not be better. Pien and Nico are a fun loving couple! Always concerned with my well-being and making me feel at home. Pien is a great Cook, the food was always very good. The work is not so hard and I had time to relax and great conversations with them. I miss you two and I hope to see you soon, friends!

(Excellent )

24/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Reno & Josepha)

Dear Reno & Josi,
Thank you so much for all those extra hands you gave us.
The hazelnuts look great after your pruning project,you gave us the boost to get on with the other ones.will think of you when we have a bumper crop next year.
You fitted in easily and did not mind if things did not go as we had planned.
All the best with your… read more

(Excellent )

22/04/2015

Left by Workawayer (Reno & Josepha) for host

Save the best for last! Nico & Pien have been one of our last hosts in New Zealand and it was certainly one of our best stays! We just enjoyed our time with you so much because you are so positive, funny and welcoming people that everyone feels at home right from the beginning. The way you cared for us was just awesome and we loved the tasks you… read more

(Excellent )

24/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (Mia ) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,

During my travels in NZ I have often thought back on the week I spent at your place, for it was an absolute safe spot where I felt at home from the very first minutes!
I came to your place to get some dirt under my fingers and to experience the rural New Zealand, which I definitely did. I enjoyed the weeding, but you also… read more

(Excellent )

31/01/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Mia )

dear Mia,

Righty oh.... as I said this morning it has been a pleasure to have you around !!!!
You are easy going, very spontaneous ,eager to try new things and even don't get bored with pulling weeds.
So far... oki doki .....we have the feeling you're time here has been to short, but as they say life goes on.....
We learned from you as well… read more

(Excellent )

08/12/2014

Left by Workawayer (kyoko) for host

Dear Nico&pien
I had my last Goldie's yogurt...thinking about you and Goldie and my time on your farm.
thanks for gave me such a nice time. Never forget!!!

(Excellent )

04/12/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (kyoko)

Dear future sheep farmer, thank you so much for all your help over the last 2 weeks. you are a little trooper ,nothing is to much and everything gets embraced with a smile and enthusiasm. Hopefully next time we can make cheese ,but at present we are very pleased the flowers are done.
thank you for sharing your stories about Japan and your… read more

(Excellent )

07/12/2014

Left by Workawayer (Johannes Viktor) for host

Dear Nico and Pien,
You are such nice people. I had the most incredible time! I will really miss you and amongst others the nice morning tea at the porch. Pien, thank you for all the delicious food and homebaking! And of course for all the recipes!
Nico, I really enjoyed all the farm work we did, being there, fencing, you name it...
I had a lot of… read more

(Excellent )

06/12/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Johannes Viktor)

Dear Johannes or should we say champion paeony runner.thank you so very much for your company over the last couple of weeks.we really enjoyed having you here.you were an energetic "worker".keen to learn new things and it was never to much.and wow did we cut flowers, thousands and thousands.you are a good baker and cook,thanks for the nice… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Franziska) for host

Nico and Pien were for sure the best welcome to New Zealand we could possibly have had and one of our best workaways ever!
The work was not too exhausting, and the food was simply incredible!!
They let us chose our tasks and though the region is really nice their great sense of humor and hospitality made every day worth staying with them! we… read more

(Excellent )

05/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Franziska)

Don't miss out to host these 2 tornados.

Franzi and Caroline it has been a great pleasure to be a host for such lovely ,enthusiastic, young women with a great attitude towards work/helping out !!! We'll miss you. Big thank you for all you've done and your company. Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

05/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Caroline )

(Excellent )

07/09/2014

Left by Workawayer (Holly & Randy) for host

We had a wonderful stay with Nico and Pien. They were very flexible in allowing us to try our hand at whatever interested us the most. We had a great time working with the cattle, helping in the garden, and doing light construction. Pien is an excellent cook, and we especially enjoyed relaxing together during morning tea, and reflecting on the… read more

(Excellent )

26/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Holly & Randy)

Hi Holly and Randy.
It was a pleasure to us to have you around. You are an easy going ,hard working couple ,willing to do and try everything.
Thanks for your help here, the sharing of recipes, the bonfires ,weeding and all the other things. Special thanks for the creation of the Holly and Randy gate and tripods in the vege garden.
All the best… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Janell)

It was a pleasure to get to know Janell,a young woman, keen to help out and learn new experiences. Thanks for your help Janell ,your baking was superb. The chiffon cakes will be made very often. We will stay warm with all that fire wood stacked close to the house. Enjoy all your weetbix :) Nico & Pien

(Very good )

11/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Janell) for host

I had a fun and enjoyable time with Nico & Pien! They are warm and accommodating and I would highly recommend them to others. I treasure the time I had with them and the many experiences that I had such as preparing the sheds for the calves. Thank you Pien for the great food too! I am already missing the farm.

Cheers!
Janell

(Excellent )

06/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Anke) for host

Thank you Nico and Pien for the great time I had with you! The week flew by.
This is a great place to volunteer, Nico and Pien are very welcoming, friendly and fun to stay with, and have a lot of nice different things you can do there. I learned a lot about fun stuff like farming, milking the cows, taking care of their animals and making… read more

(Excellent )

27/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Anke)

Hi Anke,

Thank you very much for your gezelligheid,hard work, home made super biscuits, yummy lasagne. It was a pleasure to meet you and to get to know you a little bit. Follow your dreams. Safe travels .

Lieve groeten,Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

07/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (federico & cristian)

Hi guys,

We hope nothing serious has happened with you since the last time we heard from you. At present we feel disappointed cause you never showed up and you did not get back to us re. your intended stay.
We had to turn down Workawayers who wanted to come and help in the time you would be here.
But these thing happen.
Hope you are ok and… read more

(No show)

12/02/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Nina Vanessa & Elisabeth)

Hi Nina & Elisabeth,

A big thank you from Nico & me.
Yes, you can call yourselves "the weeding queens"
Without complaining or long faces you soldered on in the vege garden and other places.
Thanks also for the nice meal and biscuits you made.
It has been lovely to meet you and have you here for a week.
Enjoy the rest of New Zealand and… read more

(Excellent )

05/12/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Eloise)

Hi Eloise & Alfie,

Thank you so much for your help over the last week.
It was a pleasure to give you some new experiences.
8000 flowers picked and in the chiller,great effort.
Pleased you will remember us every time you see a paeony.
Your cooked meal and desert were a hit,thanks for that.
Enjoy the rest of exploring and traveling the… read more

(Excellent )

28/11/2013

Left by Workawayer (Eloise) for host

What an amazing time we had with Nico and Pien! We got to do so many fun jobs and learnt to do things that we'd never had a chance to try otherwise. I'll never be able to look at peonies again without thinking of you two! We had an amazing last week of New Zealand with this great, chilled out couple and would recommend staying with them to anyone!… read more

(Excellent )

20/11/2013

Left by Workawayer (Julius & Thessa) for host

We stayed with Nico and Pien for ten days and it was just great! We enjoyed every single day and learned a lot of new things, such as driving the car offroad, tractor driving, milking the cows and making cheese.
Pien is a great cook and her meals were always a delight, especially the cakes! The work was fun and we could choose what to do, so we… read more

(Excellent )

08/11/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Julius & Thessa)

To Thessa & Julius,

Thank you very much for helping us in the past 10 days.It was lovely to meet you both and you both have a great attitude to work.We love the painted flower stal and it will be a nice memory .Julius you have great tractor skills and Thessa we love your arty/craft skills.And again we were able to cross some things from our… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2013

Left by Workawayer (Robert) for host

We helped has hard and much as we could but there was still more to do!:) The time we spend at the farm was a pleasure. Nico and Pien are easygoing and gave us the opportunity to learn how to handle the animals, but think twice if you would like to help out with the dehorning or not!:) nevertheless, i would do it again.

Thank you.
Sebastian… read more

(Excellent )

23/09/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Robert)

Hi Robert and Sebastian

It has been amazing all the hard work you have done for us regarding the clean-up after the storm and the tree trimming. We enjoyed having you staying at our place and hopefully you will remember some of the experiences in your further workaway travel.
We hope you will have a great time with your other hosts and with… read more

(Excellent )

16/09/2013

Left by Workawayer (Marie) for host

Dear Nico & Pien.
I had a more than excellent time with you and i am sure that i will always remember you, the calves, the cats (give my lovely fat cat a biiiiiiiiig kiss from me), the cows (good luck with your pregnancy), the chooks and their rooster, sam and all the weeds i have killed.
Your friends told me that i will miss you soon and yes… read more

(Excellent )

15/09/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Marie)

Dear Marie,

What a lovely ray of sunshine you are!!!!!!
We so enjoyed having you around with your own view towards life.
Also the eagerness to learn new skills and what is happening with the animals and why.
We certainly remember you every time we see our sign by the gate or in other small things around the place ,a saying or an add on… read more

(Excellent )

06/08/2013

Left by Workawayer (Louise & Matthew) for host

Dear Nico & Pien,
We had a brilliant two weeks helping you. We both got to undertake so many new experiences that we will always remember. Working with you has been a highlight of our travels so far. You are very laid back and a pleasure to spend time with. Pien you are a very good cook and we will take home a few new recipes thanks to you.… read more

(Excellent )

03/08/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Louise & Matthew)

Dear Lou & Matt,
What an amazing hard working couple you are.
We enjoyed every minut from having you around.
As you know a lot has been crossed of our list.
To lou a big thank you for taking initiative , it is so nice to come home after work and find things have been taking care of.
Also to Matt for milking the housecow.
Happy travels and… read more

(Excellent )

18/06/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Kimberley)

What a great experience with our first workawayer. Kimberley stayed with us for one week and was a bubbly, young ,hard working person,no job to big for her.Fitted in well with this young at hearth couple.
Great to see some things are getting crossed of our list.
Thank you Kimberley,safe travels and you are always welcome.Nico & Pien

(Excellent )

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