Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
13
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, we are a friendly, busy farming family with 3 kids aged 16, 13 & 3 yrs. We farm Sheep & Cattle on our 416 ha of land nestled near the Ruahine Ranges in the Manawatu region of New Zealand. Our family pets are 3 gorgeous Miniature Schnauzers and two fat cats, plus there are 5 working farm dogs - we love our animals!
We are currently undertaking several projects of landscaping, planting and renovations alongside our busy daily lives working on our farm, tending to animals and running a family. We are looking for a practical, active, easy-going couple or two people travelling together who are willing and able to help us.
A rich, educational Farmstay experience and lovely, cosy separate accommodation with own ensuite bathroom and all meals will be provided in exchange for your help.
Close by are glow worm caves, horsetrekking, rafting, cycling and mountain bike tracks. We are located on the Manawatu Scenic Route, not too far from parks, bushwalks, rivers and fishing. Only 2 - 3 hours drive from either Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Taupo. Ruapehu Ski fields and Tongariro Crossing 2 hours away.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will provide as many farm experiences as possible showing how we care for our animals and land in a sustainable way. The possibilities to learn here are endless!
Our location also provides a great base to travel to many other adventures in your free time (own transport essential).
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for a practical, friendly, active and healthy couple or two people travelling together who are willing and able to help us with planting, gardening and landscaping projects, general work and maintenance. Help may also be needed with painting and renovations we are planning. Ideally, we would love people willing to also assist with farm duties. This would involve working with animals - sheep, cattle, dogs etc. which would provide a rich, educational Farmstay experience.
Occasionally childcare and household tasks would be required to allow Fiona to work outside of the home. We would expect 4-5 hours per day 5 days per week in exchange for accommodation and meals. If you love to cook this is also something that would be most appreciated!
If you have a good knowledge of computers/internet and office/filing systems then you may be able to teach us and perhaps help us organise our small home office - often neglected due to busyness elsewhere!
There is always something to be done on a farm and general help needed on an ongoing basis - so if you think there is something here you would like to do during your travels in New Zealand then please get in touch! We enjoy being hosts, sharing our lives and learning together. Due to our rural location your own transport is essential if you wish to go exploring in your free time.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
For your stay we have lovely, newly refurbished separate accommodation. It is nice & cosy with one queen bed plus set of bunks complete with your own en-suite bathroom. TV/DVD and wifi available. This is close to the main house where you are welcome to share our home, family life and have your meals.
Help with cooking and cleaning up would be expected and appreciated. If you are vegetarian or vegan please be aware that we are farmers and meat eaters! If you have any special dietary requirements we will endeavour to accommodate this and perhaps learn from you too.
What else ...
There is plenty to see and do from here! Our rural location offers peace and tranquility yet is a handy base to travel from, however your own transport is essential. Our nearest main centres are Feilding and Palmerston North which offer bus services, rail and airport.
Close by are glow worm caves, horsetrekking, rafting, cycling and mountain bike tracks. We are located on the Manawatu Scenic Route, not too far from beaches, parks, bushwalks, rivers and fishing. Only 2 - 3 hours drive from either Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Taupo. Ruapehu Ski fields and Tongariro Crossing 2 hours away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (9)
We got involved in all sorts of stuff and no 2 days were the same which we liked - activities included learning about and helping out with the sheep & cattle (e.g. mustering, weighing, shearing, drenching), gardening, cooking, baking,… 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)
We got involved in all sorts of stuff and no 2 days were the same which we liked - activities included learning about and helping out with the sheep & cattle (e.g. mustering, weighing, shearing, drenching), gardening, cooking, baking,… read more
Adrien
We can highly recommend it as we couldn't have asked for a better workaway eyperience. The family is very lovely and kind, we felt welcomed since the first second. We slept in a cosy flat next to the main house but shared every meal with the whole family. Fiona is an amazing cook!
Blair took us… read more
We feel so lucky… read more
The work was not hard, it was focussed on taking care of the beautiful gardens and working with the animals of the farm.
I lived in a small and comfortable cottage perfectly equipped with a huge king size bed.
Blair and Fiona were great hosts. Blair explained me how… read more
