Help with gardening on Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  I have a large garden with an orchard, wetland, veg and flower garden and aim to be as weed and pest free as i can manage. Most wwoofers call it a jungle. I have been having volunteers for the last 15 years so I'm well used to having working guests and really enjoy it. The work is far too much for me to manage on my own. Workers have a lovely, sunny sleepout to themselves with a bench, tub, cold tap and a kettle outside but under cover. Further along there is a separate building with toilet, hand basin, hot and cold water. They have to share the shower with me at agreed times and l enjoy cooking for/with workers but have had to rein my efforts in with the ageing process and cost of living, so I no longer offer breakfasts.
  I have had Council Grants in the past to control weeds in the valley which my property straddles. I am overdue for another blitz on the weeds but have been busy and not got round to applying for another one. When we bought the land here in 1983 I could count the number of native trees, now I am having to edit and prune a bit to let the sunlight in and the place has become a bit of a forest. I am retired the past 13 years, live here alone apart from a tenant in a studio who is hardly ever here. Old age is advancing and l am beginning to stumble and lurch my way round the garden instead of skipping lightly, so I do need young blood around and I enjoy having young people here. I have 4 children and 8 grandchildren and really love them all, but only 4 live in Auckland. 2 in Wellington, 2 in Melbourne and 2 in the UK not counting in laws and offspring. I ask for 4 hours of work done in the mornings so the afternoons are free but it is often less or more depending on the weather, task etc. I like to be fairly flexible with hours but ensure that 20 hours work is done a week.
  Unfortunately the cost of living has risen sooooo much in NZ and ageing has slowed me down somewhat but I will provide at least 1 hearty meal a day on the days when work is happening but not on days when they are doing their own thing, exploring the island etc.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Learn about the difference between native plants and introduced plants, how to identify natives and control introduced species and how rainwater collection and sewerage treatment on site work. Exchange experience and action with cooking, plastic free living and recycling, working with compost, avoiding the use of chemicals in the garden. Exchanging knowledge and views on cultural differences, language, politics, literature etc.

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  Help

  Pruning trees, turning and spreading compost, hand weeding to keep paths clear, barrowing mulch around garden, clearing weeds from creek bed, planting, carrying the heavy stuff, aerating soil, handyman jobs, clearing tracks. For inclement weather there are all the usual domestic jobs like cleaning windows vacuuming etc.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Queen bed in sleepout separate from house

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  What else ...

  Easy access walk or bus to tracks, beaches, amenities

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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