Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
14 Sep 2026
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Reply rate
95.8 %
Usually responds within 13 days
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Feedback
46
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Email verified
Badges (4)
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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
Join us in our ecovillage in Ōamaru, the coolest, funkiest town in Aotearoa, New Zealand
We are currently seeking WorkAwayers with some building experience to help with a tiny house build from mid-October to mid-December.
We are a small ecovillage just south of Oamaru--the coolest, funkiest town in New Zealand! There is a blossoming community of artists, musicians, and people with projects here.
We are over four years into our dream of establishing an ecovillage! Sophia works from home as a consultant, carver and homesteader. Ra is the manager at our local community gardens, as well as a teacher of African inspired drum and dance classes. They completed a 10 month Permaculture Design Course in 2020 and continue implementing permaculture projects. Daniel is a jack of all trades and talented builder with a knack for repurposing materials and innovative solutions. We have 4 family pets: Figo and Fia are sausage dogs, Poly-tician and Mbada are cuddly cats. Sometimes we have flatmates living here too.
We are looking for epic homesteaders to help with renovation projects around the house, gardening, painting, cooking and odd jobs. We are always working on something different, so things never get boring! Building and carpentry skills are always helpful. Creative people and artists are always welcome too-- we can find a project to suit your skill set! Work varies by the day. Work is primarily building, painting, gardening, composting, weeding, harvesting vegetables, beer brewing, cooking, preserving, and odd jobs.
We can promise you enriching conversation, hilarious and playful banter and an engaging experience. We are seeking people who are creative, problem-solvers, and enjoy playful exchange and a bit of hard work.
Accommodation is in a spare room or caravan at the ecovillage--11 kms south of Ōamaru. We have animals, so if you are allergic BEWARE! We have unlimited WIFI internet available for you to use.
We usually share mainly vegetarian meals in the evening. We will provide breakfast & lunch also. We adore and appreciate amazing chefs!
We can provide accommodation & meals in exchange for 4-5 hours of work every day.
Languages: English, Maori, Spanish, Italian & basic French -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Interests
Culture
Charity work
Farming
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Carpentry
Gardening
Languages
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Animals
Nature
Beach
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Mountain
Dancing
Cycling
Adventure sports -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We can share skills in gardening, permaculture knowledge, Māori language, and good conversations!
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Help
We are looking for epic helpers for renovation projects around the ecovillage including gardening, painting, cooking, renovations, DIY and odd tasks. We are always working on something different, so things never get boring! Building skills are a bonus but happy to share what I know if you're keen to learn.
Creative people and artists are always welcome too-- we can find a project to suit your skill set! Daily duties include watering the garden and often cooking. Everything else just varies by the day. Work is primarily building, painting, gardening, composting, weeding, harvesting vegetables, building projects, cooking, and odd jobs. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Maori: Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I'm learning French and keen to practice my conversational skills. Happy to share my working knowledge of English, Spanish, Māori, and Italian. -
Accommodation
The house is well insulated and comfy. You will have your own room. You can come and go as you please. We have animals, so if you are allergic BEWARE!
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What else ...
We live at an ecovillage just 11kms south of Oamaru--the coolest, funkiest town in New Zealand! There is a blossoming community of artists, musicians, and people with projects here. We are well known for our Victorian architecture and local colonies of penguins.
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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?
Two
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My animals / pets
Polly & Mbada
Figo & Fia
two miniature long-haired dachshunds (sausage dogs)
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (18)
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:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We didn't get to meet all the shareholders of this beautiful project, but struck gold staying with Sophia and her cutie little monsters (noice saussie dogs). Along with the work this is really a space for learning and cultural exchange, plus … read more
We loved how Sophia made us part of the local life in Oamaru, which is a very nice and quite town, but active at the same time.
During our two … read more
I also had the pleasure of meeting 2 other volunteers, Alex and Nau, with whom I created a lovely bond with.
Together we … read more
The residents, Sophia, Ra and Daniel, are more than welcoming. They welcomed me with happiness, fun and love. As they travelled in the past, they listen and understand travellers needs. They helped me for my administration, for meeting interesting people and finding a job as well ! They are also … read more
Exactly what you would look for when it comes to have the perfect combination between work, amazing people, awesome projects full of sense, and culture sharing !
3 weeks that passed too fast, learning a bunch of stuff from all fields, sharing precious moments with Sophia, Ra, and Daniel who were always so … read more
😎 and friendly people !?
this Is THE PLACE TO BE !!
Sophia, Ra and Daniel are Amazing people ! Very friendly, interesting ! We shared some good talk around a fire 🔥, Always smiling ☺️ very easy going people. Besides they have a lot of skills to share !
I will miss this place A LOT !!
I … read more
Thank you for everything, all the best and I'll see you again when I'm next down south!
Much love,
Maya
The place is beautiful, close to the funky town and live in a tiny house was a great experience.
We felt like we were at home and belong to the family.
Sophia gave us her confidence and was so keen to share with us not just work (special mention for Catan evening and Penny Farthing)
Thank you so much, was … read more
