Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Jun 2025
Reply rate
80.0 %
Usually responds within 55 days
Feedback
29
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Kia ora e hoa mā, nau mai haere mai ki Aotearoa!
Hello friends, welcome to New Zealand!
I'm Jess I'm a working parent and I've been a host now for almost ten years!
We have a warm and friendly home and it is safe to say that Workaway has completely enriched my life in every way. I've made such wonderful friends, and a few Workaways even ended up finding love and migrating here.
I live on the Hibiscus Coast of Auckland in an area called Red Beach.
It's really beautiful here in the Summer, and on moonless nights you can take a bus up the road and visit Shakespear Regional Park, which is home to around 1500 protected kiwi. If you are lucky you might see one! We are 3 mins drive and a quick flat walk to the beach (about 1.3kms). 500m to the local shops. You can walk from here to Ōrewa and enjoy the cafes and night-life, we have major arterial buses from Silverdale to get you to the city in 30 mins. It's lovely here in the heart of paradise! Bus stops are in easy walking distance, or you can use my bike to get around the local area.
You must like: Dogs, cats & kids
You must be okay with: Non-spicy vegan food (ideally you're a great cook)
I have a big dog called Fozzie Bear, who is a Golden Doodle and then two kitties called Cypher and Ruru.
WE LIKE
Plants (they are our silent green whānau), self care, sleep, beach, sunbathing and star gazing, evening fires, walks, eating good food and we're ambiverts and neurodivergent. This home is dedicated to chilling out, good communication, and here we have a belief of yindyamarra, which is to go slow, show respect and take responsibility for our actions, our whenua (land) and each other. We have a particular kaupapa in this home of authentic relationships, authentic love and acting in the right way toward each other. We are values-led rather than rules-led.
+1 queer/gay & non-binary, trans positive, SW positive
+1 for anarchists
+1 for force free dog handling
+1 for consensus-based decision making
+1 for clean, house trained adults who can cook and have initiative as nice housemates
+1 Indigenous excellence
When you're here our whānau kitchen and fridge will be available for you to eat from as you please. In our culture there is open access to food in the kitchen. There's WIFI, a warm bed, a dry home, pizza shop, pharmacy, dairy, and tons of other amenities in 2 mins walk.
Your bed:
I've just created a new space at the property, and so I would be asking you to stay and help organise the space to make it ready for sleeping in - this would include some heavy lifting of boxes and some organising support and things like making a bed. I'm currently looking for a workaway to stay, and if you are able to build a small door or do handyman tasks that's also handy.
Limitations:
I am unlikely to purchase specialty food e.g. if you need special gluten-free bread or only eat fully raw gourmet vegan food I can't accommodate. No cigarette smoking/vaping on site that's a hard limit due to former addiction with smoking by people who live here. Especially no vaping inside the house as it flares up allergies for myself and child. No heavy drinkers or party people - the set up here isn't good for late night returns and hang-overs. We're a family home so just seeking a general wholesome vibe. I can accommodate 1-2 people now.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Movies & TV
Vegetarian or vegan
Pets
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Animals
Writing
History
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn how to make vegan food and enjoy living near the park and near beaches in sunny Auckland. You'll learn heaps of new skills and we are happy to provide references upon request. Lots of activities and also lots of spare time - if you manage your time well you'll love it here.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I'm looking for workaways who are consistent, self-motivated and reliable to help with day-to-day life.
Jobs are done in 12 hours each week and include the following projects:
★ Helping clear the yard of weeds
★ Deck building & fence building
★ Room painting & small DIY jobs (fixing light bulbs, affixing things to walls, making the house more livable)
★ Light chores (laundry, mowing lawn, weeding, etc)
★ English math and writing tutoring
I'm flexible on when the work is done as long as the hours are met.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Maori: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I just love words
Accommodation
As above, we have a shower, and one toilet to share.
What else ...
Beaches, beaches, beaches.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
420 fine.
Space for parking camper vans
Street parking.
Can possibly accept pets
Only non-reactive dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (13)
It was a delight hosting Catalina.
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
It was a delight hosting Catalina.
The work was mainly dog sitting, household chores and cooking for dinner. The dogs Winx and Fozzie are so cute and really lift your spirits. I wouldn't mind staying with them again so if you end up… read more
my time with jessie was in my first few days of coming to New Zealand, I learned so much not only about myself but also Auckland and the culture of my new home for the next wee while.
I had such a fun time and really got comfortable so quickly into Jessie’s life. The doggies Fozzie and Kit are gems, so so cuddly and cute, I miss them a… read more
My sweet and precious ones! I can't believe it's been a year since I stepped into your beautiful, hillarious, outrageous, crazy, loving home.
I've thought about this review a million times, but I can't really sum my months with you up. You rocked my world, all of you, and I learned so much about you and myself and the world… read more
Erin and Jessie are generous and warm people who manage chronic pain conditions and fluctuating ill-health. The house moves between being full of energy and excitement to being quiet and restful. Sometimes their life is a bit… read more
After I was rewarded with a wonderful Christmas week.
I also helped out with some random projects around the house.
In the end they took me along on their camping trip.
Overall, great experience.
Yes it involved doing a lot of dishes, having to go on different adventures away from the house from time to time and sometimes things were a little chaotic. But I would without a doubt do it again.
I felt truly welcome in their company. I will never forget the meals, talks, laughs and of course… read more
