Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Jul 2025
Reply rate
91.7 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
13
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
There are three family households living on our organic lifestyle block in Tahekeroa 40 minutes north of Auckland City. I live alone in my house though my two young grandchildren and their parents who live just 5 minutes down the road are frequent visitors. My mokos (grandchildren) often stay the night with me. We are surrounded by native bush and farmland. We have large vegetable, herb and flower gardens, chickens a cat and an orchard and woodland to maintain as well as regenerating native bush. I work onsite in my workshop manufacturing herbal products made from many of the plants I grow. I also work at our local marae in my health clinic using homeopathy and rongoā Maori using our native plants as remedies. I love to share about our Māori culture and language.
There are occasionally working bees at the marae which would involve being welcomed on through the powhiri/whakatau process if this was of interest.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am an active member of our local marae and am a speaker of the maori language. There can be opportunities to have an authentic cultural experience depending on what is happening at the marae. I like to share our kiwi culture as well, I will usually spend a day or two depending on the length of their stay, taking my guests (if they don't have their own transport) to some of our beaches or bush tramping walk if this is of interest...I love cooking and eating our own home grown produce...when the seasons permit.
Help
We always have tasks to do in the gardens particulary, weeding, weed-eating, pruning, mulching, stacking, chopping firewood etc. The main pressing projects I am needing help with currently are maintaining the orchard and gardens, firewood and clearing invasive weeds etc from regenerating native bush.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Maori: Intermediate
Accommodation
Sleeping arrangements are a separate, private cozy hut with one double bed. The internet does not reach to the sleepout but movies etc can be downloaded in the house to watch in the sleepout.
What else ...
The closest public transport is from Silverdale/Orewa, which is 20 minutes distant. There are many fabulous beaches and regional parks all along the East coast including Whangaparoa peninsula, Waiwera, Orewa, Wenderholm etc. Puhoi historic village is at the other end of our road. Having your own vehicle would be best to enable local sightseeing. We have had wwoofers and workawayers visiting for many years now and they have all enjoyed the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere here. We do work hard but we also take time to relax and enjoy our time off.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Feedback (9)
Trisha & her family are some of the warmest, kindest and most engaging people you will ever meet. Over 40 years Trisha has transformed her lifestyle block into an oasis of beautiful trees, tasty food & healing plants. The sleepout is super comfortable with a "retreat" feel to it; the whole… read more
Photos
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)
Trisha & her family are some of the warmest, kindest and most engaging people you will ever meet. Over 40 years Trisha has transformed her lifestyle block into an oasis of beautiful trees, tasty food & healing plants. The sleepout is super comfortable with a "retreat" feel to it; the whole… read more
i enjoyed every moment with them and learned so much ! (About Maori Culture, knife making, baking delicious treats, and so on).
Thank you for letting me see a part of your family life.
Gabriel
The work was not hard, and Trisha always very flexible. They made a great food and I ate… read more
We had the opportunity to… read more
