Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Oct 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
I am an animal loving lifestyle blocker/homesteader living on a cute 2-acre property in beautiful Manakau in the Horowhenua (not Auckland). I live with my 15-year-old son and a menagerie of pets and farm animals - including miniature donkeys, sheep, chooks, dogs and cats.
We have lush bushwalks in the Tararua Ranges on our back doorstep, and beautiful beaches and surf just a few minutes' drive away. There's a swimming hole in the Waikawa river just 1km up the road, and a spa pool at the house if you prefer your swims warmer. Just 10 minutes from Ōtaki or Levin, so all the conveniences of town are a short drive away.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I would be happy to show you around the area and tell you as much as I know about the region. I can teach you about lifestyle blocking and caring for farm animals and give you a taste of a kiwi way of life.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for both help around the property and house/pet sitting. Help around the property is general gardening and property maintenance work - mowing lawns, weeding, garden maintenance and planting, water blasting, odd jobs. Some help with animals might be required, mostly fun things like brushing the mini donkeys or helping to round up the sheep. This is a small property, so there would only be 2-3 hours work a day maximum.
For house/pet sitting, you will be required to feed and look after all the animals while we are away. This includes walking the dogs (3) daily.
Kāhu (15 years old) is learning to surf, so if you’re a surfer it would be great if you could go out with him and give him some lessons. I can provide transport to the beach.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Maori: Beginner
Accommodation
Accommodation is a bright sunny double bedroom with queen bed and large wardrobes available. This room has its own doors to the spa pool and the back lawn.
As I am only requiring around 2 -3 hours work a day (up to 5 days) I won't be providing meals every day. You will have full access to the kitchen and BBQ to make all your own meals, and I will make dinner for us about twice a week. Meals will usually be meat based, often including our own home grown Belted Galloway beef.
No fee will be charged.
What else ...
On your weekends and days off we will be happy for you to join in with what we are doing if we are going somewhere fun or interesting, or if you just want to hang out and socialize with us you will be very welcome.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of room for parking and turning a camper or motor home.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets are welcome as long as they are proven reliable around other dogs, cats, chickens and livestock.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Bea, Betsy, Chloe and calves
Our cute Belted Galloway cows live on a neighbours property. They are super friendly and love cuddles and hay.
Chickens everywhere
Dozens of chooks in every shape and size and colour.
Lambie and Olive
Pet sheep who love to scoff treats and have a good bum scratch
Nina and Morty
Nina the grey farm cat who loves a pat and Morty the hermit who hides and has no interest in new friends
Abbee, Willow and Frankie
Two terriers and a failed hunting dog who will hog the fire in winter and shake sea water all over you after swimming in summer.
Ruffin, Dolly and Marvin
Cheeky and cuddly miniature donkeys who will be your best friends for carrots
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
Kate is such a kind person, we talked and shared a lot of great stories. She showed us many places around and recommended plenty of others as well.
We are so grateful to have met her, her… read more
They are both fantastic with animals, the dogs and the donkeys particularly loved all the attention they lavished on them.
Tom and Clarice are extremely good cooks and took us on a… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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)
Kate is such a kind person, we talked and shared a lot of great stories. She showed us many places around and recommended plenty of others as well.
We are so grateful to have met her, her… read more
They are both fantastic with animals, the dogs and the donkeys particularly loved all the attention they lavished on them.
Tom and Clarice are extremely good cooks and took us on a… read more
They both are very welcoming and made me feel at home right from the start. The house is super cozy and Kate's always up for a chat about all the topics of life. Highly recommend accompanying her to the beach with the doggos.… read more
