Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
10
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Urgent help and learning placement available during September / October 2025 for a volunteer with some experience in using basic hand tools and light weight garden equipment (training provided).
Learn about no dig gardening and the main principles used in the planting design. Creating a microbiome on a sandy section means learning about compost and mulching and be prepared to help out in general, including spring cleaning the garage on rainy days and helping with routine tasks.
The property is an 8500sq m life style block close to Waitarere Beach, in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Waitarere is just over 1.25hours North of Wellington at the Northern end of the Kapiti Coast. The beach is a short bike ride or walk away a real bonus for people into fitness and the out doors as well as artists and photographers.
The garden is a work in progress, though now is fully landscaped. We focus on edible, medicinal, bee / insect / bird attracting, ground cover and drought tolerant plants . With edibles in particular, I use organic or self-saved and germinated seed. The soil is very sandy, so it has taken 9 years to be fully functioning with a fruiting orchard and 4 different vegetable patches. At different times of the year, we eat mostly what's grown on the property.
All dietary requirements met, mostly vegetarian. Not suitable for big meat eaters, but occasional chicken or fish is fine.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Self development
Vegetarian or vegan
Culture
Sustainability
Technology
Gardening
Music
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There's always seasonal projects such as plant / seed germination, harvesting, fermenting, preserving food etc.
I am also a master knitter and very happy to teach people these homesteading skills, as well as what I have learned about no-dig gardening and gardening on sand. I'm also happy to coach in the English language.
Help
There are always seasonal projects, regular weeding, pruning, mulching and mowing.
September 2025, I currently need help to cut back flax as well as locate and re-plant self sown native trees and shrubs that have sprung up out of the mulch. I also need help with spreading spring mulch and seed sewing / planting.
Volunteers are given clear instructions or taught how to carry out the tasks.
Help with regular house cleaning and cooking is appreciated.
Not suited to big meat eaters.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
My modern, architecturally designed home is filled with art, and music. It's very peaceful: the ideal place to chill and unwind. You'll have very comfortable accommodation - there's 1 x double and 1 queen sized bedroom, sole use of main bathroom. Washing machine. Wifi / high speed broad band.
What else ...
The property is a lifestyle block (8500sq. m) As there is no local public transport, ideally people should have their own transport. However, pick up and drop off to local bus and train services can be negotiated.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There's a desk in the spare room. I have a comprehensive business book library too.
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of parking. Tesla charger.
Can possibly accept pets
By prior arrangement - this is a rural area, so owners must have good control of their pets at all times.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (6)
She was very intelligent, experienced, and gave me a lot of advice. Thanks to her, I went through personal growth steps.
Also, she was a great cook and I enjoyed every thing she cooked.
Thank you Lizzie for having me.
He is clean and tidy around the house, helping with meal cleanup and dishes and generally very willing to do whatever is asked of him - he is keen to please.
From a work perspective this meant he asked for… read more
Lizzie is very accommodating and incredibly friendly. You can talk to her about anything! The tasks to be done are very clear, with all the necessary equipment provided.
Don’t hesitate to stay… read more
The work here is mostly gardening of some sort - weeding, hedge trimming, fertilizing, cutting flax,… read more
They are very personable, keen to learn, hard working and very quiet, helpful and respectful around the house. They willingly undertook a wide range of small and some larger jobs, ranging from general weeding, to providing a superb car valet, and undertaking the huge job of washing seasonal pollen off… 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:
(4.8)
She was very intelligent, experienced, and gave me a lot of advice. Thanks to her, I went through personal growth steps.
Also, she was a great cook and I enjoyed every thing she cooked.
Thank you Lizzie for having me.
He is clean and tidy around the house, helping with meal cleanup and dishes and generally very willing to do whatever is asked of him - he is keen to please.
From a work perspective this meant he asked for… read more
Lizzie is very accommodating and incredibly friendly. You can talk to her about anything! The tasks to be done are very clear, with all the necessary equipment provided.
Don’t hesitate to stay… read more
The work here is mostly gardening of some sort - weeding, hedge trimming, fertilizing, cutting flax,… read more
They are very personable, keen to learn, hard working and very quiet, helpful and respectful around the house. They willingly undertook a wide range of small and some larger jobs, ranging from general weeding, to providing a superb car valet, and undertaking the huge job of washing seasonal pollen off… read more
She is a person with love and taught me no dig farming. We did yoga together, shared delicious foods(she cooks amazing and loves travel so share each culture), watched movies, and laughed a lot every day.
Only a week though I felt like home here.
I’d like to come back… read more
She is smart, hard working, listens to instructions well and has been a great help weeding the vege gardens, and making a new no dig vege patch (Morag Gamble method). When it rained, Youmi was very happy to help with some house work and here too she did a good job.
Most of all though, as… read more
I stayed with her for 1,5weeks and helped take care of the garden, remove weeds, build a new "growbox" for the kumara, build a kind of section with woodchips enclosed with tree trunks.
Lizzie was very welcoming from the very beginning and very caring throughout. Her cooking was… read more
