updated  

Experience island life and show our garden some much needed love not far from Auckland, New Zealand

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a couple of travel junkies who live on Kawau Island, just north of Auckland in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf.

    We love the island for its peace and serenity, the great bush walks, the seas surrounding, the native bird life and small community feel.

    We tend to get distracted easily, so weekends that were planned for sorting out the garden often end up being spent lazing about on the deck with a good book and a glass of wine.

    So...we need help with our property, mainly landscaping, digging ditches, moving rocks, chopping up wood for winter, and weeding. You will need a degree of strength.

    Please note Kawau Island is close to Auckland (about 45 minutes by car, and then it takes around twenty minutes in our boat or a little longer on a water taxi). However, it does not have much in the way of infrastructure, which is why we like it so much. There are no shops, banks, or anything very much except lots of nature, beaches and sea and some very nice locals.

    About ten minutes in a canoe or small inflatable boat across the bay from our wharf will bring you to the Kawau Boat Club, a lovely bar and bistro restaurant (their Kawau Burgers are legendary!)

    We can accommodate one person or a couple and would love to hear from you if you like the sound of our wee island.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    If you love nature, birdlife and living in a small community on an island then Kawau Island is for you. It is only an hour's drive from Auckland and then a short boat trip.
    You will have the use of a canoe or small inflatable dinghy if you want to explore the island from the sea and there are some excellent walking tracks right at our door. We can take you fishing if you want.

  • Help

    Help

    Anyone who enjoys gardening in a beautiful environment. Most of the work is weeding, trimming trees or bushes, landscaping - a bit of digging drains, planting and basically tidying up our section.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Italian: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Small but cute independent cottage behind our house, with a simple kitchen or you can use the BBQ (with views over the Bay) or our larger kitchen. We have also just built you a private bathroom 2 steps from your door

    If we are there we will provide meals or leave you with enough food for the week. We usually have fresh salad greens growing for you to help yourself to.

    You can also canoe or row across the small bay to the Boat Club where there is an excellent bar and bistro and very friendly locals.

    If you want to hang out with us whilst we are there that is great and we would welcome the opportunity to show you the island. However if you just want to chill on your own then that is fine too. This was a weekend house for us until covid came along and after the first lockdown here, we decided to make it our permanent home.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is plenty to do on Kawau Island, from walks to canoeing around the various bays or visiting the Kawau Boat Club, just a short trip across the bay by canoe, about ten minutes.
    The water taxis run regularly if you want to get to the mainland, and we have fishing gear if you want to try your hand at catching your dinner.
    There are some lovely beaches close to us for swimming, also.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We work from home - Pippa full-time and me part-time. We have satellite internet to ensure reliability.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 453684711632

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (4)



Photos

The image shows a selfie of a man and woman standing close together, both wearing sunglasses, with a white window frame and wall behind them.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water, lush greenery, and a few buildings, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a blue sky with clouds.
The image depicts a serene forested area with several houses, showcasing a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness.
The image depicts a serene outdoor scene featuring a wooden walkway, lush greenery, and a building with a white door, set against a picturesque backdrop of a body of water.
A cozy sunlit room features a cream sofa, armchair, bookshelf, garment rack, floral rug, and large window overlooking a green, wooded outdoor view. Relaxing atmosphere.
This cozy bedroom features a wooden bed with striped bedding, white walls, a window, bird artwork, a wooden “P” decoration, and a side table.
A cozy kitchen with red cabinets, sunlight streaming through large windows, various utensils on a metal countertop, plants outside, and eclectic decorations and framed artwork.
The image depicts a serene coastal scene, featuring a pier, boats, and houses, surrounded by lush greenery and a tranquil body of water.
The image depicts a serene forest path, flanked by towering trees and lush greenery, with sunlight filtering through the foliage, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The image depicts a large, two-story white house with a wraparound porch, surrounded by trees and a white picket fence, set against a clear blue sky.
The image shows two photos of a bird with brown feathers, one standing on the ground and the other in a bowl, both in an outdoor setting.

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:
(5.0)






Join us at our Buddhist retreat center near Thames, New Zealand
Fun family welcomes friendly helpers in Geraldine, New Zealand