Live the kiwi dream and help us look after our animals - many rescued, Clevedon, New Zealand

New Zealand

Favourited 1204 times

Host rating
Feedback
22
Last activity
25/02/2021
Nº of Facebook friends
161
Reply rate
62.5 %
Average reply time:
within 14 days
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
We are a friendly, easy going couple who own a lifestyle block of 7Ha and look after many rescued farm animals. We also have 4 rescue dogs! We both work so we love to have some extra help in and around the farm. We are working towards becoming self-sustaining and so if you love the outdoors this is an ideal place to stay. We have a nice separate apartment for our helpers so you can have some privacy during your time off!
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
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What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We enjoy having people staying from other countries and are happy to teach them different skills. You will gain lots of experience in caring for for farm animals. Including rearing of new born animals. We also make our own jams, butter and cheeses. The area where we live is very beautiful and close to Hunua falls, the botanic gardens, many national parks and beaches. You can travel into Auckland by train and take ferries to Waiheke or Rangitoto Islands for the day.
Help
*️Prefer two people travelling together*

️We are looking for help for the day to day care of our animals and general upkeep of the property. Our lifestyle block hosts a variety of livestock including rescue animals and also includes a vegetable garden, hot house and fruit trees. Must be comfortable around dogs - we have 4!
We live on a farm and working outdoors in the rain is sometimes required. Appropriate clothing and footwear are required.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
In return for some general farm work we can offer a self contained modern, comfortable apartment (separate bathroom, kitchen, dining area, lounge and bedroom), food and wifi. It has its own entrance, cooking facilities, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, TV and Wi-Fi. We will provide you with your choice of food/ingredients which you can cook.
What else ...
We are situated 2km from Clevedon village, 10kms from Kawakawa Bay beach, 30km to Auckland airport and 40km Auckland City Centre. Ideally you would have your own transport if you want to be moblie but we can loan you bicycles and drop you off at the train/bus station on your day off.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4 hours a day, 6 days a week

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (22)

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)

07/01/2021

Left by Workawayer (Velvet & Jack) for host

The experience we had working for Jim and Mel from September to November was absolutely fantastic!

The work we did was varied, from gardening to animal care, to building projects and chicken coop cleaning. It was relaxed and enjoyable, with the focus on doing a safe and good job. Every day we would feed the vast array of animals in the morning,… read more

(Excellent )

15/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Fabio & Nicole)

Fabio & Nicole were wonderful. They stayed with us for 5 weeks. They were very hard working, enthusiastic and competent. Both of them had a fantastic attitude towards all of our animals and looked after them as if they were there own. They were both very good humored & very positive and would always go the extra mile. We would have them stay again… read more

(Excellent )

13/02/2020

Left by Workawayer (Fabio & Nicole) for host

We had the best time with Melanie and Jim and we really loved to stay there. We worked a lot with the animals. Our main task was to bottle feed the two lambs and they needed a lot of attention. We were surrounded by sheeps, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigs, horses and dogs. Our daily routine included to feed all the animals. Every… read more

(Excellent )

20/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (François & Laurianne)

Francois and Laurianne stayed with us for 2 weeks in March. They were very helpful and completed all of the tasks we gave them. This included extending our vegetable garden and looked after the animals and also helped with the ones that needed some special attention. We would welcome them back anytime!

(Excellent )

15/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (François & Laurianne) for host

We have spend 2 really nice weeks at Melanie and Jim's farmhouse.
We mostly fed the animals, twice a day in the morning and in the evening.
(hope that the sick babies we have taking care of feel better now).
We also helped to create a vegetables garden area.
The accomadation is so amazing, and we were provided with a lot of food.
Thank you so… read more

(Excellent )

05/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Antje & Luke) for host

We apologize for our delayed feedback. We stayed with Melanie and Jim from December to January. We learnt so much over those two month and had an amazing time with all their friendly animals. All their animals have a beautiful nature and personailty. We loved hanging around with the animals, brushing the horses, feeding the chickens and playing… read more

(Excellent )

19/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ben & Linda) for host

Our stay near Clevedon on Melanie's and Jim's farm was just amazing. We could do a lot of different work in the garden and around the farm. To look after different animals was interesting and during our time there were a lot of baybies from the pig, duck and chicken. We also had a lot of time for us in which we could explore the area with the… read more

(Excellent )

21/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jasmin & Johann)

Johann and Jasmin are two of the nicest people you could meet! They stayed with us for 6 weeks in September/October 2018 and it was great to have them here. They are friendly, positive and excellent workers.

While they were with us they looked after our animals, reared our orphan lambs and completed a large gardening project. The project involved… read more

(Excellent )

19/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie & William)

Ellie and Will are great! They stayed with us for a month over winter and were so helpful, especially when I was away with work for 2 weeks. They are really nice people, friendly and relaxed, but they work hard and are very careful and considerate in their work.

They helped with all of our animals, (feeding and cleaning), painted, did the… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ellie & William) for host

We recently stayed with Jim and Melanie for 3 weeks, and we can't recommend it (and them!) highly enough!

The work was really enjoyable.. we loved the animals, so feeding was good fun. We also did things such as gardening and fence painting, and everything was always well explained.

The hours were flexible and more than fair in exchange for… read more

(Excellent )

28/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Kathryn & David) for host

We had a fantastic 3 weeks on the farm with Jim and Melanie and their gang of animals. The farm its self is lovely and spacious with cool spots to explore when you're not working. The working hours are super flexible to suit anyone's ideas and variable as to what they need help with. It is all explained very well before you start.
Jim and Melanie… read more

(Excellent )

12/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sonia & Benjamin) for host

We stay in this farm for 3 weeks . When had a perfect time there. The farm is beautifull , animals are kind and friendly. The 4 dogs are adorable and attaching .

The work there was amazing, it was a really good experience. working out doors in this place was so cool with a beautiful landscape the work was easy and interesting. .

Jim is an… read more

(Excellent )

12/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Natalie & Gregory) for host

We loved our 2 weeks with Melanie, Jim and all the animals. They were so friendly, warm and generous and we both learnt a lot of new skills from them.
Thanks so much for a wonderful time at your beautiful home. Hopefully see you again soon!

(Excellent )

24/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Marisa) for host

We can't put in words how much we have enjoyed our stay at Melanie and Jims stunning and beautiful private farm.
Jim explains every task very friendly and clearly to us and we have learned a lot of new things and the work was always fun.
Clevedon is a peaceful and quiet village and the farmer market on the weekend they have recommended is… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Toby & Manon) for host

We spend 5 weeks in Jim and Mélanie's house, and it was amazing !! It was our first workaway experience and we want to do it again and again !
Jim and Mélanie are so Lovely, always there to help us ( Mélanie spend more than 1 hour at the phone for us ahah). Their house, the garden and the food are gorgeous! We also love the animals. The works was… read more

(Excellent )

19/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Toby & Manon)

We had Toby and Manon stay with us for 5 weeks. They were a wonderful couple. Very reliable and looked after all our animals very well. They also worked exceptionally hard with the other tasks we gave them. We would highly recommend Toby & Manon. They were very easy going, friendly and fitted in with our lifestyle easily. We would not hesitate to… read more

(Excellent )

19/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Eduardo)

Eduardo can to stay for only a week but he was very helpful and looked after the animals well. We do not normally have only one person stay as we like two people but Eduardo kept us fully informed of how he was going through the day so we were happy he was OK when we were not around.

(Excellent )

24/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Eduardo) for host

I stayed with Melanie and Jim for about one week. I can't believe how lucky I was finding their place. It was such a good time. The place is beautiful, the animals are lovely and Melanie and Jim were always so willing to help and to make sure everything was okay with me. I really felt like family. Thank you for everything guys.

(Excellent )

19/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Eliza & Benjamin)

Eliza and Ben came to stay for 2 weeks. They were the first English couple we had. Worked very hard helping around the house, painting and feeding and looking after the animals. Also they were both fantastic cooks - again we would have them come back to help any time.

(Excellent )

21/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Eliza & Benjamin) for host

We had an amazing time at Jim & Melanie's. They were always happy to help us with anything we needed and really made us feel welcome as we had only recently arrived in NZ. It was a pleasure looking after all the animals in such a beautiful setting. The accommodation is brilliant - spacious and comfortable. We couldn't have asked for more - thank… read more

(Excellent )

15/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Joshua & Amy) for host

Melanie and Jim are awesome! We had such a nice time at their relaxed and beautiful farm and the animals are all so friendly and fun to work with. Melanie and Jim went out of their way to help us and make sure everything was perfect and made it feel like home. The accommodation was out of this world, especially the memory foam mattress ;) you guys… read more

(Excellent )

15/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Joshua & Amy)

Had Josh (and the gorgeous Amy) stay with us for a week to help care for our menagerie . The dogs looooooved having them stay and they got stuck into every task we gave them. Nothing was too much trouble for these two. We would highly recommend them stay and would have them back in a heartbeat!

(Excellent )

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