Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
4 Sep 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
26
Email verified
Badges (3)
Give the gift of Workaway
read more
Details
Description
We are a hard working couple in 60's who will treat you as friends. Just us and our beautiful small dog. We have travelled the world doing volunteer work ourselves and it has been an amazing experience. We love people from all walks of life. We owned a small hotel in the past and Jay was an emt ambulance officer as a volunteer for 10 years. We have now retired to Auckland and have a few projects coming up with our home. WE find it is best that we all work together for the whole day and then you have a whole day off, or however we do it. We provide meals on the days that you work and are happy to provide food for you to cook for all of us on a shared meal. Very quiet house and location.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Meeting the coolest dog in the world, who does tricks. Genuine friendly couple who enjoy meeting other people.
Help
Hi. We are looking for someone to help with a garage and garden project and painting a fence.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
guest bedroom and your own bathroom
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Great internet and Office and fabulous new warm home
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Charlie
Charlie is 11 1/2 and loves a very quiet , peaceful home, like ourselves.
Host ref number: 458913946199
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+6
Feedback (13)
24 Aug 2025
Left by Workawayer (Manuel & Angela) for host
We spent one week with Jay and John and it was really nice experience! We helped them painting a fence at their wonderful house in Long Bay. They were very friendly with us and we shared some great dinners. Highly recommended it, thank you so much!
20 Aug 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Manuel & Angela)
Wow!!! What a super sweet couple. A pleasure to have in our home. They helped us paint a fence and move heaps of soil and stones. They are both very hard working and respectful of our space. If they are available...grab them :)
(Excellent
)
8 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Evie & Scott)
What a super sweet couple. We are so glad we had them to stay. Nothing was a bother and they went above and beyond with helping and cleaning their room and bathroom. They were fantastic with our wee dog Charlie and we had some lovely evenings at dinner sharing ideas. We wish them both all the best with the future. It’s so refreshing to meet such a… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Evie & Scott) for host
We loved staying with Jay, John and Charlie. They were amazing hosts and we really enjoyed spending time with them and sharing stories. Their house is beautiful and clean. We helped with gardening and staining fences, they were flexible and we’d highly recommend them. Thanks again guys :)
8 Oct 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Hayley & Felix)
Hayley and Felix are a delight. We enjoyed their company. Hayley is great with computers and websites and Felix loves a project. We had some great evenings with them. We wish them well on their future travels around New Zealand.
(Excellent
)
6 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Hayley & Felix) for host
We had a wonderful time staying with Jay & John and genuinely hope to keep in touch with this wonderful couple. They were incredibly generous and flexible throughout our stay as well as excellent communicators which makes a world of difference!
Tasks ranged and were suited to our proficiencies and everyones schedules *tide dependent ;-) and we… read more
Tasks ranged and were suited to our proficiencies and everyones schedules *tide dependent ;-) and we… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+6
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:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.9)
24 Aug 2025
Left by Workawayer (Manuel & Angela) for host
We spent one week with Jay and John and it was really nice experience! We helped them painting a fence at their wonderful house in Long Bay. They were very friendly with us and we shared some great dinners. Highly recommended it, thank you so much!
20 Aug 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Manuel & Angela)
Wow!!! What a super sweet couple. A pleasure to have in our home. They helped us paint a fence and move heaps of soil and stones. They are both very hard working and respectful of our space. If they are available...grab them :)
(Excellent)
8 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Evie & Scott)
What a super sweet couple. We are so glad we had them to stay. Nothing was a bother and they went above and beyond with helping and cleaning their room and bathroom. They were fantastic with our wee dog Charlie and we had some lovely evenings at dinner sharing ideas. We wish them both all the best with the future. It’s so refreshing to meet such a… read more
(Excellent)
8 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Evie & Scott) for host
We loved staying with Jay, John and Charlie. They were amazing hosts and we really enjoyed spending time with them and sharing stories. Their house is beautiful and clean. We helped with gardening and staining fences, they were flexible and we’d highly recommend them. Thanks again guys :)
8 Oct 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Hayley & Felix)
Hayley and Felix are a delight. We enjoyed their company. Hayley is great with computers and websites and Felix loves a project. We had some great evenings with them. We wish them well on their future travels around New Zealand.
(Excellent)
6 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Hayley & Felix) for host
We had a wonderful time staying with Jay & John and genuinely hope to keep in touch with this wonderful couple. They were incredibly generous and flexible throughout our stay as well as excellent communicators which makes a world of difference!
Tasks ranged and were suited to our proficiencies and everyones schedules *tide dependent ;-) and we… read more
Tasks ranged and were suited to our proficiencies and everyones schedules *tide dependent ;-) and we… read more
8 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Ernest) for host
Staying with John and Jay was a lovely experience - they're a friendly and interesting couple whose company I very much enjoyed. The help expected was very fair and doable. The accommodation was plush and comfortable, with easy access to the city. All-in-all it was an ideal city Workaway and the help and advice about what to do and getting around… read more
8 Jun 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Ernest)
We enjoyed Ernest"s company a lot. He had lots of great stories to tell from around the world. He was great at helping us with the gardening. We wish him well for his future travels. Yep life is to enjoy.
(Excellent)
11 Aug 2020
Left by Workawayer (Valentina) for host
Jay, John and their cute dog Charlie are wonderful hosts. We helped them around their house for about 3 weeks. They provided us with a beautiful accommodation in a splendid neighborhood with a stunning view on the sea. During our stay they allowed us to have plenty of free time in order to enjoy the city and its surroundings. Jay gave us very good… read more
7 Aug 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Valentina)
Paul and Valentina are amazing. I just couldn't rave about them enough. They are sweet and kind , but most of all they are very very hard workers. Clean tidy and you can leave them totally unsupervised to do any task. We actually started looking for things for them to do , just so they could stay longer. We have booked them to come back later in… read more
(Excellent)
2 Jul 2020
Left by Workawayer (Kiara) for host
Jay and John (and Charlie, their adorable dog) were incredible hosts! They took us in on very short notice and provided us with a beautiful apartment - king bed, living room with a massive smart TV, fully equipt kitchen, washing and drying machines and our own bathroom with a bathtub/shower! Going in, they were very clear about their expectations… read more
2 Jul 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Kiara)
Absolutely delightful couple. They are very mature and respectful for their young age. I had them doing gardening and painting and old couch. They were brilliant. I even had to tell them to stop gardening in the rain. They cooked a wonderful meal for us to share, plus a great game of Trivial pursuit 1989 edition lol.
I would have them back in a… read more
I would have them back in a… read more
(Excellent)
13 Dec 2019
Left by Workawayer (Margaux & Eloi) for host
Our stay at Jay and John's was absolutely perfect. We spent our work time helping them around their apartments, the work was really pleasant. Having your own apartment is just the best you can hope for. This is a lovely couple that enjoy having you as helpers and friends, to share their experiences and their knowledge. To finish, what a good… read more
13 Dec 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Margaux & Eloi)
What a delightful couple !!. They are very mature and responsible for their years. We had them doing the back garden, that was well overdue and they were always with a smile. Very polite. I would have no trouble recommending them to anyone. Enjoy the rest of your time in New Zealand. I wish we could have had you stay longer. :)
(Excellent)
13 Dec 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Jan is a lovely young man. Very polite and friendly. He helped me with some gardening. I wish you well in your big adventure traveling New Zealand. :)
(Excellent)
13 Dec 2019
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
First workaway experience, couldn't be better. I did 4 hours of gardening work for an own appartment and lunch. Jay and John were nice hosts and they have a sweet dog. The view over Dunedin from their property is amazing.
Thank you!
Thank you!
19 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Kiah)
Kiah is a lovely bright bubbly young woman. She was a joy to have around and helped with lots of small tasks. Good luck with all your travels.
(Excellent)
18 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Kiah) for host
I had a lovely time at Jay/John/Charlie’s beautiful Dunedin home! I stayed for four nights, and was lucky enough to have one of the guest apartments available for me to stay in — it felt incredibly glamorous after weeks of sharing dorm rooms and showers with other backpackers. The view over Dunedin is beautiful too.
As promised, Charlie is an… read more
As promised, Charlie is an… read more
5 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Bridget) for host
Had a great time with John and Jay! Loved Jay's stories. I painted and cleaned, also some yard work.
They are walking distance from town. If you're fit you can walk back up the steep hills. I really enjoyed my time, it was easy four hours. Keep in my mind you're only provided lunch. You also get an awesome apartment for yourself. With great views… read more
They are walking distance from town. If you're fit you can walk back up the steep hills. I really enjoyed my time, it was easy four hours. Keep in my mind you're only provided lunch. You also get an awesome apartment for yourself. With great views… read more
4 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Quentin & Lorène) for host
Jay and John are the greatest host ever, they are a really friendly. Most of the work is cleaning and little bit of gardening. I really learned a lot from them about New Zealand and house keeping.
They provided a room and lots of space and time for us to enjoy the days in Dunedin.
Thank you so much !
They provided a room and lots of space and time for us to enjoy the days in Dunedin.
Thank you so much !
4 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Quentin & Lorène)
These guys were very respectful and lovely to have around. They stacked some wood for us and helped around the house. We gave them some money to buy some food to cook us a french meal.Yummy. Have fun around New Zealand.
(Excellent)
4 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Maximilian & Lara)
Very sweet young couple that helped us paint some inside windows. Have fun on your adventures.
(Excellent)
22 Dec 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Helen & Neil)
What a lovely young couple. Very sweet, kind and polite. We wish you well on your travels. We are very happy to recommend them to anyone.
(Excellent)
21 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Helen & Neil) for host
LOVED this workaway. This was our first time using workaway and it couldn't have been any better. After car camping in New Zealand for 3 weeks, this was just what we needed. A place to call home (that includes a comfy bed) for a week. The work was fair, 4 hours/day in exchange for your own apt minutes from the Dunedin Octagon. Odd jobs included… read more
7 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Sam & Rebecca)
If this couple are available ....BOOK THEM. They are an adorable married coupe starting life together. Great workers, who are clean and tidy and a joy to have around. Thank you guys. Good luck for the future.
(Excellent)
6 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Sam & Rebecca) for host
We spent a fantastic week with Jay & John in Dunedin. The workaway was straight forward to organise in advance, with quick responses to all of our questions. Jay & John (and their friendly dog Charlie) were great hosts, making us feel very welcome throughout our stay. Our work was very fair, & consisted of stripping & then painting window frames,… read more
