A small white house with solar panels sits among tall, green pine trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by grass and peaceful nature.
A wooden house under construction shows exposed frames, tools, workbenches, and building materials scattered. Sunlight streams in, with mountains and vehicles visible outside.
A pile of freshly cut pine branches stacked against a vertical wooden fence, with two upright sticks supporting the heap on a gravelly ground.
A beautiful landscape features green mountains, a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, trees, and grassy fields. Two small structures sit quietly in the foreground.
A lush, green forest stretches across rolling hills under a dramatic cloudy sky. Distant mountains fade into the horizon, with scattered sunlight highlighting the landscape.
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Join our off-grid family in Far North, New Zealand

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We’re a small family living on a remote pine forest block, slowly shaping Joywood into a place for simple, low-impact off-grid living. Our days are a mix of building, maintaining our off-grid systems and spending plenty of time outdoors. Nothing here is rushed — we work with what’s available and adapt as we go.

    Life here is very simple. We live fully off-grid, with minimal infrastructure, and much of our time is spent outside. This experience suits people who are comfortable with basic living, happy to get their hands dirty, and able to contribute to physical, practical work.

    We’re not experts or a construction crew. What we offer is a genuine, hands-on experience of off-grid life — helping with building projects, general maintenance, and everyday systems like rainwater collection, solar power, and keeping things running smoothly.

    Alongside the practical work, we value slowing down and being present. We spend time forest bathing, practice yoga and follow meditation practices which we are happy to share for those who are interested — always optional.

    Workawayers who join us become part of daily life here. We will work together for 4 hours each day, share simple vegetarian meals, and respect each other’s need for space and rest. There are very few conveniences nearby, so this is best suited to people who enjoy being in the wilderness, living simply, and have a positive, flexible attitude.

    If you’re curious about off-grid living, natural building, and spending time immersed in a quiet forest setting — and you’re happy to contribute practically — we’d love to hear from you.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Babysitting and creative play
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Workawayers experience off-grid life, practical building, and a slower pace, alongside open conversations with a very multicultural family, shared meals, and optional practices like meditation, spirituality and forest bathing.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    The work may include painting, general handy work, landscaping, and practical building tasks. You’ll be involved in helping us shape the land, learning how to create off-grid systems such as water solutions, and supporting the building of simple dwellings. This is part of crafting the landscape itself, and we aim for it to be deeply rewarding.
    In exchange for 16-20 hours per week, you will receive free basic off-grid accommodation and food, along with hands-on learning and practical experience. Any experience with children would be an added bonus :)

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Workawayers stay in a secure, private off-grid cabin for single occupancy, located away from the main house. The cabin includes a bed and mattress, with basic solar power for lighting.

    Facilities are outdoors and rustic, including an outdoor shower and compost toilet. This setup is suited to someone comfortable with basic facilities and spending lots of time outdoors.

    One cooked meal is provided each day. There is also a simple outdoor camping-style setup available for preparing additional food.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    In your time off, there is plenty of space to rest, walk in the forest, read, journal, or simply enjoy being immersed in nature. The area is very quiet and secluded, with limited conveniences nearby. Having your own transport is helpful, but not essential if you’re comfortable staying mostly on site.

    Our household follows a simple, mindful way of living. We eat vegetarian food, and we don’t smoke or drink alcohol on the property. We also live in a way that respects all living beings, so this is not a place for hunting or killing animals.

    We value respect, kindness, and clear communication, and we aim to create a calm, supportive environment for everyone living here. This experience suits someone who feels comfortable with this lifestyle and enjoys living simply and intentionally.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Wi-Fi is limited and works best during daylight hours when we have the most solar power. Evenings are generally quiet and offline. This setup can suit digital nomads with flexible schedules who are comfortable planning work around daylight and power availability.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have plenty of space for campers or motorhomes, set within hectares of quiet pine forest. Parking is secluded and peaceful, offering a very private experience immersed in nature. Facilities are simple and shared with the main off-grid setup, and this suits people who enjoy remote, low-impact living.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 339188436874

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Photos

A wooden house under construction shows exposed frames, tools, workbenches, and building materials scattered. Sunlight streams in, with mountains and vehicles visible outside.
A pile of freshly cut pine branches stacked against a vertical wooden fence, with two upright sticks supporting the heap on a gravelly ground.
A beautiful landscape features green mountains, a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, trees, and grassy fields. Two small structures sit quietly in the foreground.
A lush, green forest stretches across rolling hills under a dramatic cloudy sky. Distant mountains fade into the horizon, with scattered sunlight highlighting the landscape.
A small white house with solar panels sits among tall, green pine trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by grass and peaceful nature.

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