The image depicts a group of small birds perched on a branch, with a body of water visible in the background. The birds are likely to be ducks or geese. The image is likely to be a photograph taken for a magazine or newspaper.
This image shows a lush, green garden with various trees and shrubs, including palms and birches, under a partly cloudy blue sky on a sunny day.
A white lighthouse stands on a grassy area beside the bright blue sea under a clear sky, surrounded by bushes, with distant land and clouds visible.
Three people sit on hay bales in a sunny field, chatting. A black dog stands in front, and several others walk in the background.
The serene landscape features a calm pond reflecting trees, blue sky, and clouds. Grassy banks and distant rolling hills complete this peaceful, sunlit countryside scene.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water, possibly a lake or river, with a grassy bank and trees in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The image depicts a collection of tomatoes, likely for culinary purposes, showcasing their vibrant red color and green stems, with a clean and organized arrangement. The background is not visible.
The image depicts a collection of apples and pears, with a few leaves scattered around them. The arrangement is neatly organized, showcasing the fruit in an orderly and visually appealing manner.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring rolling hills, lush trees, and a white house, set against an overcast sky.
The image shows a beach scene with a row of trees in the background, featuring a body of water and a sandy shore, with a few objects scattered about. The sky is not visible.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lush green field, trees, and bushes, with a vibrant sunset casting a warm glow on the scene.
The image shows a couple standing together, posing for a photo. They are dressed in casual clothing and are surrounded by a natural setting, possibly a park or outdoor area. The atmosphere appears relaxed and peaceful.
updated   Last minute

Join us on our small farm on beautiful South Island's east coast, New Zealand

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  • rating

    Host is looking for help immediately

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    1 Feb 2026

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    100.0 %

    Usually responds within 4 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    46

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Our small farm is just south of Timaru on the east coast of the beautiful South Island, New Zealand.
    On the farm we have a few very spoilt cattle and lease some land out to some girls to use for their for horses. We take hay off the paddocks in the summer and store it for sale during the winter.
    There is a large vegetable and fruit garden and we like to eat fresh from our garden as much as possible over the summer season. We grow our garden mostly by organic methods and try to preserve as much as we can of our produce for off season use.
    Overseas we did voluntary work for others and since returning home we have been grateful to have some help to get our property back in shape. Sadly Brent passed away in August 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. Our son Josh has moved home and lives on site to support me but I will be needing more help to keep things maintained. NB Josh has a dog who doesn't live at the house but likes to visit occasionally for a hug! There are two cute kittens that live outside and are hopefully going to provide rodent control as well as lots of cuddles.
    We are close to lots of lovely NZ landscapes and it is a great place to explore if you love nature.
    We feel like our home is a little piece of paradise.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We have travelled to and lived in several different countries and we have always preferred to live locally rather than as a tourist. If you stay with us you will live local and learn what it is like to be a kiwi!

  • Help

    Help

    ***Seeking practical helpers for farm tidy up tasks.

    I need a little gang of helpers to assist me to get some things in order on the farm. Specific physical jobs that seem to be overwhelming me at present are:
    Tidy out the old stack bottom (the rubbishy hay at the bottom of the stack) from the hay shed and prep shed for this season's hay
    Clear/tidy the farm shed and help with removal of old rubbishy farmy stuff that needs to go to the dump!
    Any building expertise to help repair the shed and some of the yard fences etc would be great (if you can competently use tools eg a hammer, drill, saw etc then you'd be very useful)
    Planting out small trees into the paddock and spreading old stack bottom around them
    Possibly help bring in the baled hay and stack it in the shed if the timing aligns
    Transporting firewood from back paddock and stacking in woodshed
    Cutting back ivy that seems to be determined to take over my yard!
    If you can use equipment such as brushcutter and chainsaw that would be useful to us. Ideally we would like someone who can work independently with some of the tasks.

    We would also love to learn how to cook some of your local dishes. If you have practical skills and are willing to roll up your sleeves and work alongside us you will fit right in! Hours of work and how they are structured is negotiable and flexible.

    Please refer to our calendar for availability.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is a double or single bedroom with separate shower and toilet facilities.
    There is also a self contained flat.
    We are a non-smoking household.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We have several nice tracks close to our home which can be explored on foot or or take one of our bikes, and it is a just ten minute bike ride to the coastal tracks and/or scenic reserves, another 10 minutes will get you into city centre and to the lovely swimming beach at Caroline Bay. There are lots of great hiking trails and things to explore around the district including ancient Maori rock art. Dunedin, Christchurch, Mount Cook, Tekapo and the beautiful southern lakes are within 2-3 hours drive and are options for a good day trip from here if you have a vehicle.
    I have lots of books, games and puzzles if you enjoy quiet activities in your downtime.

  • 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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We can host self contained units only on our small farm if you are travelling in a campervan.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Profile photo of Titta and Mo

    Titta and Mo

    Two cute kittens who live outside

    Profile photo of Luna

    Luna

    Luna lives with Josh but comes to visit at the house for hugs and treats. She knows she is not allowed inside.

Host ref number: 479113843851

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Photos

This image shows a lush, green garden with various trees and shrubs, including palms and birches, under a partly cloudy blue sky on a sunny day.
A white lighthouse stands on a grassy area beside the bright blue sea under a clear sky, surrounded by bushes, with distant land and clouds visible.
Three people sit on hay bales in a sunny field, chatting. A black dog stands in front, and several others walk in the background.
The serene landscape features a calm pond reflecting trees, blue sky, and clouds. Grassy banks and distant rolling hills complete this peaceful, sunlit countryside scene.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water, possibly a lake or river, with a grassy bank and trees in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The image depicts a collection of tomatoes, likely for culinary purposes, showcasing their vibrant red color and green stems, with a clean and organized arrangement. The background is not visible.
The image depicts a collection of apples and pears, with a few leaves scattered around them. The arrangement is neatly organized, showcasing the fruit in an orderly and visually appealing manner.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring rolling hills, lush trees, and a white house, set against an overcast sky.
 Show all photos
The image shows a beach scene with a row of trees in the background, featuring a body of water and a sandy shore, with a few objects scattered about. The sky is not visible.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lush green field, trees, and bushes, with a vibrant sunset casting a warm glow on the scene.
The image depicts a group of small birds perched on a branch, with a body of water visible in the background. The birds are likely to be ducks or geese. The image is likely to be a photograph taken for a magazine or newspaper.
The image shows a couple standing together, posing for a photo. They are dressed in casual clothing and are surrounded by a natural setting, possibly a park or outdoor area. The atmosphere appears relaxed and peaceful.

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

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