Join us on our urban Permaculture Property in Auckland's multi-cultural central suburb, Sandringham. 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

    Kia Ora
    Hi. We are a lesbian couple with bees and chooks in Auckland's city fringe Sandringham.
    Various major public transport options within 5-10 minutes walk.

    We have planted over 45 fruit trees, have a good size vegetable garden.
    We garden organic and localist and casually participate in food rescue and distribution. We have a strong commitment to sustainable living which includes switching lights off, not using much hot water at all, short showers (we don't support "lifestyle / wake-up showers") and Ellen produces and builds many things.

    Important note:
    We are free-getarians and have access to lots of food (not) waste resources that we turn into yummy meals. I do find it difficult to cook without cheese/dairy, eggs (own chicken) and we have bees (own honey often used instead of sugar).

    So our lifestyle, food rescue and budgeting are based on a varied diet including raw milk and all its products Ellen makes from it, rescued foods including meats (on a zero demand policy, only rescued, roadkill or hunted wild pests or saved offal from lifestyle block homekill where people want the meat of their cow but would not touch the organs or fats. So we kinda eat a Weston A Price diet)
    Cooking vegan and exclusively vegetarian therefore would add significantly to our budget and we also don’t have the skills to cook weeks worth of vegan or pure vegetarian food. So keep this in mind when you write to us.

    Our accommodation is for one physically fit guest (so far all but one of the 70 workaway guests were really happy up in the loft of our Workaway shed). It's a small simple space for 1 person ONLY! But the shed is generally only used for sleeping and time-out times.

    As time allows Ellen is engaged in some community projects, mainly community gardens and food rescue.

    Our house volcano is Maunga Owairaka/Mt Albert, fitness depending it is a 20-40 minutes run/walk to its top. It gives you a good view of the city and you can count many of the other nearby volcanoes.

    We cook and eat together; if we go out and you come along we pay for your meal on fair use terms.
    We do not provide free alcohol apart from when we feel we would like to offer some for a taste.

    We like to play board games and cards in the evenings as we have no TV. Free internet on fair use terms is available.
    You are most welcome to participate in our community projects but that will be in your OWN time.

    GUYS, in this paragraph we introduce you to our non-negotiable rule, pls read up here: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/21/unthinkable-having-a-sit-down.
    Please DO NOT apply if you can't promise that you will respect our rule :-).

    So if we sound like you want to share your skills and commitment with us then go on and send us a message.

    We do expect our guests to go with the flow of our household and pick up stuff that needs doing not only waiting for instructions. You live with us so it’s anyone of us to clear out the dishwasher, or grab the broom, cook or vacuum when needed. Just like in a flatting situation.
    And these flatting chores are not part of the work time, unless we agree to a major spring clean job etc.

    We usually prefer people to stay 10-14 days but will only commit to 7 days at a time depending on a conversation on about day 4 we'd like to have to see how it goes for all three of us and if we all feel that it's working well.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We share heaps of garden skills, diy recipes and ways of doing things, foraging for weeds and other edible free/low cost food, community immersion, community projects, ....

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Help cooking, cleaning & household work, little repairs, whatever. We expect about 25 hours a week but are totally relaxed and open as to how you arrange your volunteering time.

    More Jobs and skills we are looking for
    - ongoing garden maintenance
    - household, cleaning & cooking
    - carpenter/builders work around house
    - create a piece of functional artwork

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    French: Beginner
    Italian: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Very comfy single mattress in the shed loft with good LED lighting, power and (fair-use) Wifi available. Very basic but it's your own space and of course you use the house for everything else. Some mobility/fitness required to access accommodation in the shed via a ladder.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We have excellent knowledge of the city, good in-depth knowledge about its multicultural diversity, people and of course food. We live very central, many of Auckland's tourist attractions are well within an hour walk or bus/bike ride. we have a bicycle and a helmet for you.
    We do a diverse range of DIY and are more than happy to share our knowledge as well as learn from you.

    Guys, please have a read of our compulsory rule here and don't apply if you are uncomfortable - this is non-negotiable! Check link: theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/21/unthinkable-having-a-sit-down

  • 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

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 515611157589

Website Safety

Feedback (48)



Photos

The image depicts a man working on an appliance, surrounded by tools and equipment, with a white wall and window in the background.
The image depicts a man constructing a garden archway, with a wheelbarrow filled with soil in the foreground. The scene is set amidst lush greenery and a fence.
The image shows a page from a magazine about gardening, featuring a person digging in the dirt and a green advertisement for an organic gardening course.
The image depicts a small pond in a backyard, surrounded by rocks and plants, with a fence and other outdoor features in the background.
The image depicts a person standing beside a raised garden bed filled with dark soil, wearing a blue shirt, shorts, and boots.
The image depicts a man standing in a garden, surrounded by various plants and debris, with a white house and blue sky visible in the background.
The image depicts a white button with a blue border, featuring two blue figures and a red "X" symbol, conveying a message about proper toilet etiquette.
The image depicts a serene park scene, featuring a lush green hillside with trees and grass, a fallen tree branch, and a few houses in the background.
The image depicts a chicken coop situated in a garden, surrounded by lush greenery and featuring a wire mesh enclosure with a red feeder and a bucket.
The image depicts a rustic outdoor setting, featuring a wooden table and chairs, a pizza oven, and a garden, set against an overcast sky.
The image depicts the rear of a house with a wooden deck, a shed, and a tree in the background. The house has white siding and a large window.
The image depicts a serene garden scene, featuring lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a wooden bench, bathed in sunlight.
The image depicts a banana tree with a large cluster of green bananas, set against a backdrop of a white building and a blue sky with clouds.
The image depicts a white outdoor pizza oven with a chimney, featuring a clock and thermometer inside, situated in a garden setting with trees and a blue sky.
The image depicts a white cat lying on a wooden deck, with a water bowl and two plastic containers in the background. The cat is positioned on its back.
The image depicts a large metal container filled with a brown substance, sitting atop a white wire rack on a stainless steel appliance.
The image depicts two women posing for a selfie in a wooded area, with one woman's arm around the other's shoulder. The women are wearing jackets and scarves.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(4.9)
























































Come and experience papakāinga life in Taranaki, New Zealand
Lend a hand around my home and garden and enjoy the stunningly beautiful area of Tapanui, New Zealand