Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
21 Jun 2026
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Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
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Feedback
11
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
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Description
Hi there, I live in a valley about an hour out of Wellington close to our local river and surrounded by bushland. It's a beautiful place. I have a big garden which I need lots of help with (usually weeding and landscaping) & in return I can provide a friendly environment, interesting conversation and a nice place to relax. I love discussing philosophy, religion and psychology and I have an interesting little small business making coffins & teaching people how to carry out their own funeral arrangements.
I travelled quite a bit in my early years & I'm always interested in meeting new people and learning about their life experiences. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Interests
Self development
Culture
Writing
Music
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I'm an interesting and somewhat unusual person. I've lived on my large steep property for 20yrs, doing all the landscaping and gardening myself, so I have lots of skills which I'm happy to share. The house is small but well set up with very nice outdoor areas for relaxing in, best enjoyed during summer of course. There is a lovely view from the deck. There are some nice bush walks in the valley, a Buddhist monastery nearby & I have a decent TV with internet access. No Netflix sorry but if you have an account you're welcome to log in here with it.
If you are interested in learning basic landscaping or carpentry skills I can show you those & I also have facilities for small-scale Oamaru stone carving. I have a piano and enjoy sharing music with anyone who visits me. You can come to my choir rehearsals if you want! -
Help
I have a steep & bushy section which has required a lot of landscaping, mainly to provide access and create flat areas for gardens. I've done most of this myself but due to bad arthritis in my hip I recently had a total hip replacement. That means I'm severely restricted in how much heavy labour I can do now.
I'm looking for help with anything around the garden including weeding, digging, tree care, and landscaping tasks, which often involve building retaining walls and moving soil around. All of this involves heavy lifting, fetching tools and carrying things up and down my many steps. I will always be glad to host people who who enjoy reasonably physical tasks and are strong enough to use a shovel or garden fork, carry buckets of soil, bricks and pavers and garden waste etc. However I'm also willing to host anyone who is willing to cook and clean as I live on my own and get sick of cooking all the time. My domestic standards are not high so there is always something that needs cleaning. If you don't want to commit to helping I'm usually happy to host as long as you provide all your own food and cook dinner for me as well.
When my workawayers are not helping me in the garden I'm happy to take them around with me as I go about my daily business, meeting my friends, going to choir etc. -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner -
Accommodation
I have two spare rooms at the moment, one single in the house and also a small sleepout with a great view, both furnished and comfortable. The house has one bathroom which you will share with me and sometimes one other flatmate. If you want to help I am happy to look after you like family while you're here (I will provide good food plus tea and coffee) but in return I do expect quite a few hours of help per day as well as help with the cooking, washing up and household chores.
One thing to note is that my house is up 50 steps so you need to be fit and healthy to stay here. It's quite a long way to carry your gear up too. I live at the end of a very private cul-de-sac so it's quiet with parking on the street.
Stokes Valley is a bit difficult to get to by public transport & if you don't have a car it will take you about an hour to get here from Wellington by train and bus. If you can make it to Pomare train station on the day of your arrival I will come and pick you up. You will need a snapper card for the buses and trains. -
What else ...
I live between two fairly large towns with all sorts of facilities including their fair share of galleries and cafes. I'm in an outer suburb of NZ's capital city. There are nice walks in the hills locally and down by the river and we have a local swimming pool with a gym as well.
I don't drink a lot of alcohol and definitely don't like being around smokers as I am very sensitive to smell. So please visit me only if you are a non-smoker.
I am happy to provide vegetarian food but not vegan or gluten free. My own diet is standard omnivore. -
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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Can host digital nomads
I have unlimited wifi so internet access is not a problem.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
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My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
Photos
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)
Getting along with our host and having good communication came naturally and from the moment of our arrival, thanks to her being so incredibly welcoming and open with us.
We found staying in the same house and having meals together a delight, as the … read more
