Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2025
Feedback
9
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
Experience the warm hospitable kiwi culture whilst staying with our family on our 30 acre organic farm 50 minutes north west of Christchurch.
We are a family of 4 ( two children Aged 14 yr and 11yr)
We strive to grow, nourish and spread the passion of organics. We sometimes need a little help with things around the farm and household and would like to share our patch of paradise with a suitable person who would like to spend time in NZ with a kiwi family. We farm a flock of organic Wiltshire sheep and farm using organic, Biodynamic and holistic grazing methods.
Daily help would include gardening, general household chores such a baking, cleaning, spending time with the children (they love new and interesting people who can help them with the things they love to do!) We are part of a large culturally diverse family (kiwi, Guatemalan, Brazilian, Irish and Taiwanese!) so we love to meet new and interesting people. Our children are homeschooled so they are always keen to be involved in new projects.
We love spending time outdoors in the garden and on the farm. We are passionate about organic agriculture and love to cook good food, chat and spend time with like minded people.
In our spare time away from the farm we love to walk, trail run, mountain bike and enjoy our beautiful country. We have a Hungarian Viszla dog, a Jack Russell Terrier dog that just loves to come along for these adventures!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have the opportunity to learn about organic farming, gardening, children, cooking wholesome nourishing organic food and good kiwi culture.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
You would be expected to help 4-5 hours per day and would do daily work such as gardening, house hold chores such as food preparation and cleaning. Other farm activities that may come up depending on the season are lamb feeding, helping to move sheep herbal drenching and dagging. During the summer months there will be additional work in the orchard when fruit needs to be picked and processed. Sometimes there is a need to help out with the children, for example, taking them to a lesson or helping with their homeschool work. Much of our work does not necessarily need someone who is experienced but we do need volunteers who are willing to get physical and get their hands dirty!
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
You will have your own bedroom and bathroom in a self contained cottage to stay in while you are volunteering with us. Additional food such as during times when you might come to a function such as a summer fair, need to be purchased by the individual.
Daily meals are shared with the family and help preparing and cleaning up after meals is something we encourage s its a good opportunity for use to all share our daily experiences and get to know each other. In the evenings we are often out working in the garden and farm but we also enjoy an occasional board game and a jam on the guitars too which you are welcome to join in with.
You have access to the phone/ internet in the main house (As we are rural there is a limit on our internet use)
What else ...
We live 5 minutes from the town of Oxford. You have access to a bike to use. You are welcome to come on most family outings. We go into Rangiora ( 30 min) and/ or Christchurch every 2 weeks for supplies. There are many lovely bush walks a short distance from where we live. We are 45 minutes from the Southern Alps and our family enjoy skiing during the winter months which you are welcome to participate in at your own expense.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Feedback (5)
I had the opportunity to learn more about sustainable farming & livestyle by helping in the garden, with the sheep, butchering a… read more
I have got the chance to… read more
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I had the opportunity to learn more about sustainable farming & livestyle by helping in the garden, with the sheep, butchering a… read more
I have got the chance to… read more
I was able to work outside, got some useful lessons about organic farming from Verity and Dave and Ada and Matai brightened my day when… read more
