Helping hand's needed with my native tree nursery in the Tararuas area, New Zealand

New Zealand

Favourited 166 times

Host rating
Feedback
52
Last activity
08/08/2020
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least a week

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Description
My name's Rosemary and upon retirement, I decided to set up a Native Plant Nursery in Mangatainoka, Tararuas. I've always enjoyed the bush and it's smell, especially in wet weather! I love tramping in the bush and be surrounded by nature. This has been a lifetime passion for me, that’s why I greatly enjoy creating and growing plants as I have seen over my lifetime.

My main Project is to grow native trees, shrubs and hedging plants which are suitable for environmental protection purposes and it is supported by a government initiative to protect our lands and waterways from erosion and pollution. Well-vegetated protection areas also important to suppress brush weeds, enhance habitat and contributes to the local landscape.

Note: my daughter has started living with me to help us out during these next few months as I recover from a shoulder injury. Don't worry as we are still happy to host you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I have a good knowledge of New Zealand native bush and eco system, as well as animal health. I can tell you which tramping trails to choose and am happy to go with you!
Help
The project at the moment is to get our plants ready for a wet winter. For that, we have the following things to do.

Repotting, manuring, planting plants in farmland and along water ways, tidying pots and organizing them in the shade houses so they can get optimum water which involves moderate lifting (potted trays).

Occasionally I require help with maintenance work on my shade and tunnel houses water system. I’m looking for handy people with common sense and always open to learn new things.

P.s. People with drivers licence are very welcome.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
There's a guest room with a double bed.
What else ...
The Tui Brewery is found in town, an abundance of local tramping tracks of which I have got a book in the area. A train leaves from the next village going through to Wellington, I have a car and can pick you up from the train or bus station at Woodville or Masterton or Palmerston.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 4-5 days a week

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Feedback left by and about host (52)

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)

16/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Solenn & Camille) for host

We spent a amazing week at Rosemary's place. She is a lovely person and we felt like at home. She cooked us her famous carrot cake, a banana cake and a pudding !
The work was interresting. We worked the morning during the week and not at all the week-end. We were happy to help her and learnt about native trees.
We highly recommand her !

(Excellent )

29/01/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Jacob)

Jacob was a real treasure to have around. His work was efficient , well done and reliable. He was comfortable with everything he did and around the house. Was so lucky to have him here with me. Really clean and tidy. Thank you Jacob.

(Excellent )

27/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (Casper) for host

As far as first experiences go, my time with Rosemary has been nothing short of amazing. I ended up staying way longer than expected because I enjoyed Rosemary's company and the work her tree nursery has to offer. She introduced me to her family and friends, all of which are interesting people. I would highly recommend Rosemary's tree nursery to… read more

(Excellent )

06/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Casper)

Casper has been absolutely awesome while being here. He's commitment to work is enthusiastic and diligent. The jobs he has been set are done at a high standard. He likes his own space and works well on his own which allows me to do other projects. He has accomplished a huge amount of work like chainsawing a shed full of firewood for next season.… read more

(Excellent )

20/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Michael) for host

It took me a bit longer to write this review, but finally, here it is.

I stayed with Rosie more than 8 incredible weeks.

We had lots of fun and interesting conversations about plants and the history of New Zealand during our lunches and dinners. And don't worry there was always plenty of yummy food and she is baking the best carrot cake I had… read more

(Excellent )

28/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Michael)

Micheal has been truly a blessing to have here . Really enthusiastic about helping with everything to do with the plant nursery, potting, planting, clearing around trees, and most of all setting up financial systems to get my nursery up and running. He brought all his work experience of sales and marketing from Germany and has made a positive… read more

(Excellent )

09/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Victor & Claire) for host

We had such a very good time with rosemary. We loved her personality and we felt at home very fast. We shared a lot and had a good conversations.
Work is fair and place is nice.
Thanks you rosemary for you welcome and sharing with us.
We wish you the best :)

(Excellent )

07/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Victor & Claire)

What a wounderful couple. We worked most of the week putting sawdust around hundreds of trees preparing for the summer dryness. It was hard work especially in the thunder and rain. They were always willing workers and very enjoyable couple, their personality s were always caring and respectful. I am so thankful of their help. I wish them all the… read more

(Excellent )

07/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Émile)

Emile was a delightful young chap, willing to work, caring and cheeky. He did alot of potting, repaired my shade house after a tractor did Abit of demolition. He learnt quick and did an excellent job. He participate d with every chore and tuff jobs. I really enjoyed his personal it. Wish him all the best in his touring.

(Excellent )

06/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Émile) for host

Rosy is a funny lady haha she say what she think , she likes when the work is well done and she does amazing toasted sandwiches! Most of the job is about repoting plants and taking care of the fields (it's not really hard) . There's 2 bedrooms , I tested both of them and they are good haha Rosy showed me a lot of NZ movies , tought me a lot about… read more

(Excellent )

20/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Kaweeporn)

Omsin was an amazing person with such a lovely personality and was so kind and considerate. I was truly blessed to have her here with me. She was an extremely hard worker, confident and alot of common Sense. Highly recommended. I wish her the best in her future plans.

(Excellent )

16/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandre)

We struggled understanding at times. His life skills were very limited but he tried very hard and became confident during his stay. Very nice boy with excellent manners and keen at all times to be helpful. I enjoyed him and his help. I wish him all the best for his journey.

(Excellent )

11/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host

Rosemary is such a lovely person and a amazing cook. I loved her food so much. It was always funny to work with her. Thank you for this two weeks Rosemary.

(Excellent )

05/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Julia)

Loved Julia. So nice always smiling giggling and laughing. Such a joy to have around. Very confident hard working and socialable. She can return any time.

(Excellent )

24/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lara) for host

I can understand people who are not quite happy at this homestay, because she has got a, I would say, special personality- anyway I really liked it there! :) Rosemary says what she thinks and is who she is. Deal with it or stay away.
I spend 2 weeks in her native tree nursery and mostly all I did is building (I loved helping her with her shade… read more

(Excellent )

10/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Lara)

Whow what an amazing young girl. she was such a confident organized and efficient volunteer. She built a shade house for my plants with such precision, nothing will fail due to it's construction. She had alot of wonderful personality and was clean and tidy. Couldn't have wished for a more helpful person. Thanks

(Excellent )

10/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra )

Alex was a lovely girl and she helped really hard. I really appreciate her efforts and her lovely jolly personality. She helped to build a large shade house for the native plants as well as weed 100's of pots. I really enjoyed her company.

(Excellent )

04/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Cécile) for host

Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed

(Negative )

28/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ania ) for host

Staying with Rosemary in Mangatainoka was a lovely time! Due to very dry summer most of the work with native plants was watering although I did help with plant propagating once, which was great. Apart from fair amount of work I really enjoyed socializing with Rosemary's friends and discovering Polish history. Hikes in the area are worth walking! I… read more

(Excellent )

01/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Ania )

Ania was a super lovely lady. We really enjoyed our search and history of all the Polish children that came to Pahiatua during the last world war. She was lovely company and such a willing worker. We did lots of little jobs and had alot of fun with people she met while she was tramping. Wish her the best for the future.

(Excellent )

26/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (julien) for host

I really enjoyed my stay with Rosemary. I stayed 3 weeks and it was a great experience. Thanks to her, I improved my skills in english (it's not yet perfect but it's better). I learnt many things about plants, native trees, animals,.. And the conversations were very pleasant. She is very kind and always happy. Too, she's a really great cooker and… read more

(Excellent )

01/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Eric)

Amazing guy. He was so helpful and so willing. Thoroughly enjoy his company. Wished he could stay longer. Good luck in your future.

(Excellent )

13/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host

I spent almost 3 weeks at Rosie's tree nursery. During my stay there were water restrictions in place, so the bigger part of work consisted of watering the plants with a hose. Apart from that we propagated cuttings and potted trees. There were chooks to feed and some chores in the house to do. Before Christmas Rosie decided to leave her place in… read more

(Very good )

03/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)

Maria is an amazing women. She is super organized and works continually doing all those little jobs inside and out of the home to maintain an ordered environment. I felt so confident with her abilities that I went for a little holiday to spend time with my family before Xmas. I came home and found everything perfect. She watered all the 20000+… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host

My stay with Rosemary was a very pleasant experience. I learned a lot about native trees, did some beautiful walks and had a lot of fun. The sense of community in the neighborhood is amazing and I really enjoyed meeting Rosemary's friends and other workawayers. I had a lot of excellent food and interesting conversation. Thanks a lot for everything!

(Excellent )

03/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Julia)

Julia is a fantastic girl with so many talents. She did some art work of all my native trees for my web page and it was so detailed and amazing. She also did computer work that will help me alot with my plant nursery business. She was a lovely kind person and was always ready to help with chores and projects at any time. I thoroughly enjoyed her… read more

(Excellent )

19/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Adrienne & Enrico ) for host

Rosemary has a somewhat rough character. if you are sensitive, you should avoid the visit. she expects a lot, but gives no clear instructions. We found it a bit difficult to know when we are doing something right. it would be good to learn gardening vocabulary before because she expects it. We were a little disappointed with the rating because we… read more

(Good )

15/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Adrienne & Enrico )

Enrico tried very hard to construct a shelter for the plants to protect them from our unseasonal very hot weather. It's working splendedly and I'm very appreciative for his efforts. We had quite a challenge with language skills and understandings and culture. They were clean and tidy in the house. Adrienne had little skills with horticultural… read more

(Good )

15/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Wanja-Sina)

Wanna was a lovely girl who appeared at times shy and abit out of her depth at times. Her language skills were moderate but she took her lead from another workaway and they worked hard together. She was a neat and tidy person and contributed well around the house. I appreciated her hard work and pleasant personality.

(Very good )

15/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Annabell)

Annabelle was a delightful young lady that worked well, communicated well and was pleasant to have around. Her language skills were excellent and she appeared to have a understandings of horticultural practises. I wish her well for her future.

(Excellent )

14/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)

Pierre is a truly a wonderful gentleman. He worked above and beyond . He was so willing. We had alot of fun and his English improved daily. He showed alot of interest in my native plant nursery and able to identify many trees in nzs native bush. I wish him well in his trip around nz

(Excellent )

12/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pierre) for host

My stay with Rosemary was an absolute pleasure. She is a perfect host, really kind and funny. Her house is nice and she is a very good cook. I loved working with her, it was very interesting to discover her native trees and all her different plants. Thank you very much for everything Rosemary !

(Excellent )

09/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Katharina)

Kathi was lovely kind and considerate person. It rained so much while she was here we didn't get to do much gardening or nursery work. What we did get done was very much appreciated. My grand children enjoyed her also.thanks for the video of singing in the rain. Chuckle! Hope I meet you again

(Excellent )

29/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Katharina) for host

I stayed one week at Rosi's place and had a wonderfull time. I realy enjoyed our conversatons in the evening about NZ. If you have some questions about NZ, you have to ask Rosi :) Her house and the beautiful garden is such a nice, real place to stay. I felt very welcome.
Thank you Rosi for your lovely host, the good food and btw: I ate muscles… read more

(Excellent )

29/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

Anna was an amazing girl. She had alot of common Sense and worked brilliant ly. Was truly blown away at her dedication, and hard work she did on the farm and planting trees in some quiet undesirable circumstances.(rain and cow Pooh) . She has a lovely personality and it was a pleasure to have her with me. I cannot praise her enough. She's truly a… read more

(Excellent )

28/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

Had a wonderful time at Rosemary's! Bakes the most amazing cakes (espically the coconut one) cooked really nice vegertian food! Showed me NZ films and the work is fair :) would love to visit again when I'm back in NZ

(Excellent )

12/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Josep Mª )

Pep was such a lovely gentleman sings lovely and is really enjoyable to have around. He looked after me when I was sick and I was so grateful. He worked well potting in the freezing cold. Weather was so miserable when he stayed here and definitely not conjuicive to work, but he continued to. It was a very pleasant experience for myself and… read more

(Excellent )

22/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Lena & guillaume) for host

Thank you very much Rosemary for this woofing and your welcoming it was fantastic and very funny! Thanks to learn us special bad words of New Zealand :wink: (you are an egg).
It was a pleasure to stay in your home and to eat ice cream hockey pockey!
It was very interesting to discover your job and native trees. You have beautiful glass… read more

(Excellent )

14/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lena & guillaume)

Thanks Lena and Gillian for all your fantastic help during your stay here. I feel very fortunate to have had you here to help me with the planting of trees and digging the drain and everything else you worked on over your stay here. How are you eggs!! And of course the little egg!!. Weather has been brilliant here at long last, fine clear and… read more

(Excellent )

13/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Ilana)

I had so much fun with llama. She was a amazing worker full of life and enthusiasm. She was so inspiring and we were able to complete so many jobs. She was very tidy around the house. I have no hesitation to recommend her to any person wishing to hire her. Such a breathe of fresh air.

(Excellent )

11/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Ilana) for host

I enjoyed my stay with Rosemary immensely. We not only got lots of potting, planting, watering of beautiful native trees done but we re-fortified her chicken coupe. I really enjoyed watching and discussing many beautiful films in the evenings by the fire. Rosie's passion for her work enjoyment of life was really inspiring.

Her cooking was to die… read more

(Excellent )

04/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Merel) for host

I had a great time with Rosemary. She is a lot of fun. The work is defenitely fair and I felt appreciated for being there and helping her. She cooks really nice meals and I enjoyed watching rugby and movies with her. I will miss her (and her dog 'nut Meg')!

(Excellent )

29/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Merel)

Loved having her. Had such a bright disposition and tried very hard at every task resented to her. Enjoyed having her.

(Excellent )

03/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Rosie)

Rosie was a lovely lady to have around. I went away for a couple of days and my home and business was in really good hands. She learnt most procedures with my plant nursery very quickly and worked very efficient ly. I felt very lucky to have her here. Thanks Rosemary

(Excellent )

03/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Rosie) for host

I had a great time at Rosemarys.
We potted plants, went for a walk to gather seeds, prepared plants for propagating.
She's a wonderful host, really thoughtful and generous. She is also fantastic company, with stories to keep you entertained for hours as well as being a delightful cook.

(Excellent )

05/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (Daisy & Patrick) for host

We stayed at Rosemary's for a week and half and had a lovely time there. The nursery is incredibly impressive and it was really interesting learning all the processes involved. The work was very fair and was mainly spent repotting plants! Also, Rosemary cooked some delicious vegan food using lots of fresh produce from the garden :) Thanks for a… read more

(Excellent )

04/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Daisy & Patrick)

Daisy and paddy were genuinely nice people and a pleasure to have around. They were hard workers that did a very good job. I highly recommend them for workaways and home sitter's

(Excellent )

16/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Antoine)

What a super nice gentleman. Always willing to work. Every job was well done. What a fantastic cook. Couldn't have asked for a better work away. Thanks Antoine

(Excellent )

14/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Antoine) for host

Rosie is the best host I've had so far ! She's kind, generous and a lot of fun !
It has been a pleasure helping around and planting with her for a few weeks and I couldn't hope for better start for my New Zealand trip.
Plus the food is really good :)

I hope everything turn out well for you

(Excellent )

13/02/2017

Left by Workawayer (yoshiyuki) for host

It was wonderful week spending the time with her! We went to auction which is opened only once a year. That was amazing. I studied many things about native plants in Rosemary's nursery. The people around her are also very nice and friendly. Besides, she is a great cook! We baked sultana cake. I love it! I will definitely bake it for my parents… read more

(Excellent )

12/02/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (yoshiyuki)

Lovely young man. Really hard worker ,keen to try everything. So tidy and clean. An absolute pleasure to have around.

(Excellent )

27/01/2017

Left by Workawayer (Fia & Deborah) for host

Dear Rosie!
We spent some awesome days with you and had a lot of fun pottering around in your garden. It was amazing how hard you've been working for your business and we really hope you get played off this year! Hopefully the upcoming workawayers will be of good help for you and you'll have just as much fun together as we did.
See you… read more

(Excellent )

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