Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I am Max and I am known as the Global Grandad. I have been taking in tourists for four years and I provide accommodation in exchange for help around the place.
I am a retired secondary school teacher and still relief teach from time to time. Fishing is my lifetime hobby and I have often taken tourists fishing too.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Taranaki has a lot to offer travellers, especially those who enjoy the outdoors. There are lots of skills you can learn here towards maintaining a property. The region is a favourite for hikers, cyclists, surfers and adventurers. This is a great place to learn some skills and life experience.
Cheers! Global Grandad Max.
Help
Garden help is a priority so would suit outdoors people. Typical tasks around here are mowing the lawn (the majority is accessible with a ride-on mower), weed control and general upkeep. Large property, parts of it have been cleared in recent years to make the upkeep easier.
It is expected that you leave the upstairs tidy when you leave - remaking the bed (spare sheets are in drawers), bringing sheets down, clean the bathroom. Check your vehicle for cats when you leave as they have a habit of packing themselves in cars and vans.
There is so much to see, do and learn here. You get out of it what you put into it.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
The property:
Large house on the edge of town.
Off-street parking for cars, campervans, space for a caravan.
Downstairs are the kitchen, dining room, lounge, laundry and my room and bathroom. Laundry has washing machine and dryer, ask me to show you how to use them when you need them. There are also drying racks and and an outside washing line.
Your space:
Visitors stay upstairs (see photos). Fantastic views to sea.
There is a full bathroom for use upstairs for guests.
Food arrangements:
Those on special diets (vegetarian, vegan, allergy/ intolerance) can be catered for, feel free to discuss, I'm sure we can come to an agreement everyone is happy with.
What else ...
There are three bicycles available, different sizes, also a tow-bar mounted bike rack. There are lots of cycle trails, city and country, to explore.
New Plymouth has a historic town centre and is only ten minutes' drive away. It has art trails for those interested, plus op-shopping, cafes, an indoor mall and events such as Womad, Americarna and the festival of lights if you come at the right time of the year. City buses run to the lower part of the hill and have bike racks.
Mount Taranaki, known by locals as 'The Mountain', is the feature of the region and offers long and short bush walks, skiing/ snowboarding at the right time of year, and a cafe.
Van repairs and maintenance are available locally, for example WOF, tyres, automotive electrical, self-contained certification, replacement parts. Fuel station just down the hill. 'The Valley' shopping complex about 2km away, includes a supermarket and a hardware store.
In general I am happy to host tourists from anywhere abroad, who holds a working holiday visa, can be a part of the household and can cook at least one signature dish from their home country. Recipes are written down in the global cookbook and must be written in English.
Room and full board in exchange for fifteen hours a week, flexible days/ times around weather and your chosen activities. If the work is harder, less hours are expected.
Tourists must be okay with cats. Do not bring pets or children. Okay if single, couple, or friends travelling together. Smokers okay, outside only. I smoke out on my porch. Social drinking okay, non-drinking okay.
Would prefer a basic understanding of English for communicating. Genuine, honest and responsible tourists who are keen to give any task a go are welcome to stay.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of parking space. Also suit caravan.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
Jasmin and Thomas stayed at my villa in Taranaki and house sat my cats and looked after my villa!
The communication was excellent and they they both completed agreed work tasks plus extras I needed doing but not on there list!
There attitude and attention to detail within and without the villa has been exemplary and of a… 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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Jasmin and Thomas stayed at my villa in Taranaki and house sat my cats and looked after my villa!
The communication was excellent and they they both completed agreed work tasks plus extras I needed doing but not on there list!
There attitude and attention to detail within and without the villa has been exemplary and of a… read more
