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Experience Māori culture and whānau life in Tauranga, New Zealand

New Zealand
Last activity : 22 Oct 2025

Profile information

Host rating
80 %
Last replied
19 Oct 2025
Reply rate
70.0 %
Usually responds within 12 days
Feedback
19
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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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What's this?

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Description
Kia ora and welcome

We live in a semi-rural area, 15 minutes from the beach and city centre. My whānau, extended family, also live on the property, so you will be immersed in our everyday life. We are creative people, so imagination is encouraged.

Parts of the property are overgrown and we need help with restoration and general upkeep.

We need help with gardening, and general outdoor work. Fencing and carpentry projects, cooking, cleaning and creative projects.

We offer a warm, creative whānau oriented home. Insights into Māori culture and semi-rural living.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Charity work
Plant care
Dancing
Van life
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Movies & TV
Culture
Music
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Nature
Camping
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can offer you local insight into Maori culture, and impart my knowledge of Te Ao Māori worldview, as well as sharing unique experiences of my life. I was brought up in a motor camp so I am very used to travellers being in my whare (home).
Help
I need help with gardening, clearing of weeds and general cleaning up outside and installing a pond
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Maori: Beginner
Accommodation
I have a spare bedroom , in my small house. Shared kitchen and bathroom.
What else ...
There are many local tourist attractions close by, Mouao (Mt Maunganui) bush walks, waterfalls, McClarens Falls, Rotorua is an hour away. Te Puke is 20 mins away.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a good wifi connection.
Space for parking camper vans
I have space for small campervans on my property
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Nano Byte Marr (14 years)
Black and white small female cat, she's a great rat and mouse catcher who loves pats.

Host ref number: 592692293497

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Feedback (10)

24 Mar 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Aansan)

Aansan was a joy to have around. She cooked for me a lot, which was very helpful as I was studying fulltime while Aansan was at my house. I would totally recommend Aansan, easygoing, positive, lovely personality and very willing to have a go at whatever was asked of her. Best wishes on your next adventures.

(Excellent )

3 Mar 2025

Left by Workawayer (Aansan) for host

I was welcomed with open arms by Bernie! I only stayed for about a week, but it was a really great time with her family, a permaculture group event, we went to an art event of her daughter and Bernie was so kind to give me full days off as well to explore Tauranga on my own. So grateful for all the wisdom that Bernie shared with me. She is a very… read more

(Excellent )

24 Jan 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Joris Jan Job)

Kia ora, Joris is a lovely, intelligent, well rounded human. He was a major help in transforming my garden space. Fun, social and respectful. I certainly recommend him as a workawayer. Enjoy your travels and life, and I hope you write a number best seller...

(Excellent )

2 Oct 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolás)

Nico is a lovely gentle soul. He did a most excellent paving job and painting my doors at my home. He is independent, clean, tidy and respectful. It was a pleasure to host him.

(Excellent )

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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

24 Mar 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Aansan)

(Excellent)

3 Mar 2025

Left by Workawayer (Aansan) for host

(Excellent)

24 Jan 2025

Left by host for Workawayer (Joris Jan Job)

(Excellent)

2 Oct 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolás)

Nico is a lovely gentle soul. He did a most excellent paving job and painting my doors at my home. He is independent, clean, tidy and respectful. It was a pleasure to host him.

(Excellent)

17 Mar 2020

Left by Workawayer (Domagoj) for host

Staying with Bernie was an amazing experience. I had an opportunity to meet a lot of the family of Bernie. It was a pleasure to meet such a warm, kind, welcoming, open-minded and generous family. It was very nice to see how they have a very close and connected family, I learned a lot from seeing that.
Bernie is such a cool and amazing person. She… read more

(Excellent)

5 Feb 2020

Left by Workawayer (Nadia & Charlie) for host

Bernie was an excellent host and friend. She shared many stories and insights and graciously welcomed us into her whare. During our stay, we helped cook and clean, spent time with her adorable grandkids, and did some landscaping laying stone pathways. When Nadia got sick at the end of our stay, Bernie even let us stay an extra day to help Nadia… read more

(Excellent)

22 Jan 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Sara & Jane)

Sera and Hein were a pleasure to host and their Korean food was yummy. I enjoyed our time together and highly reccomend them. They were great workers and we korero/talk about everything under the sun and more. Thankyou beautiful women and good luck on your journeys.

(Excellent)

22 Jan 2020

Left by Workawayer (Sara & Jane) for host

Bernie!! As we arrived at the place, we felt so comfortable with her and the house. She is easy going, lively, artistic, and lovely person. We had lots of talk almost about everything! We had quite much of Maori culture and spiritual talks which was so intense and wonderful.
Work was easy - cook dinner for us, gardening and a bit of vacuuming. We… read more

(Excellent)

30 Dec 2019

Left by Workawayer (Isabela & Bruna) for host

I just wish I had more time to spend with Bernie!!! Its was amazing my 2 weeks with her. She is such an inspiring, easy going, strong and cool woman and artist. Her house is simply beautiful and full of live. My job was to make a brick path and cook for us. And I love it! The accomodation is a very cute caravan, super cozy. Her house is 5 min walk… read more

(Excellent)

26 Dec 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Isabela & Bruna)

Isabela was a joy to have around. Always full of energy, fun and laughter. I showed her how to lay pavers and isabela did a great job laying a path. We had a funtime twerking and isabela became part of our whanau/family for the 2 weeks she was with me. Fabulous workawayer and I forgot to mention shes a great cook. Kia ora.

(Excellent)

26 Dec 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica)

Jessica was a great workawayer. Thanku for helping organise my shed, yay I can find things easily. Happy surfing Jess

(Excellent)

26 Nov 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Charlotte)

Charlotte was a fantastic. She helped around the place and was not at all phased by the major renovation of the bathroom, now completed. She cooked, gardened and took the dog for a walk. A lovely person.

(Excellent)

25 Nov 2019

Left by Workawayer (Charlotte) for host

What are incredible experience at Bernie’s! I enjoyed our laughs, spiritual talks, meals together and trips to the hot pool. Such a loving wonderful soul. I loved helping out with cooking, gardening, and was able to learn how to make jam. It was also wonderful to meet the nicest family and friends who came by the house. Thank you thank you for an… read more

(Excellent)

14 Nov 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Akanksha)

What a joy these two were. Willing, able and fun. We did some work and played as well. We talked life love and everything inbetween. Good workers and lovely people. I would recommend them

(Excellent)

14 Nov 2019

Left by Workawayer (Akanksha) for host

Bernie! Staying with you was such a lovely time. You taught us so much about life and were so generous in sharing your home and experiences with us. You are beyond words. You have taught us to live unafraid, with zest, love and creativity. You made sure that we had a very good balance between helping out with you, and then exploring and… read more

(Excellent)

12 Nov 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mirco & Isabella)

Mirco and Isa were a pleasure to host. Micros cooking was sublime, simple yummy food like his mama taught him. I had great fun and laughter with them and we also got some jobs done. My dog adored them as well. I would reccomend them both, lovely souls.

(Excellent)

7 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer (Mirco & Isabella) for host

Such a luck to meet Bernie along our NZ trip. We got along forthwith and after a couple of days we couldn't even go to sleep without our good wishes and hugs.
We spent a lovely time with Nohe always full of energy and eager to go for walks and the time at the beach all together gave us even more positive vibes to continue with the trip.… read more

(Excellent)

2 Jan 2019

Left by Workawayer (Oliver & Charlotte) for host

Bernie is the best! She’s such an interesting, chilled and inspirational women. Me and Charlotte didn’t think a work away could be so good.
The food was healthy and delicious, tasty and nutritious. Whakatane area is gorgeous we enjoyed trips to the beach and bush walks we had a totally unique and hilarious experience at the local spiritual and… read more

(Excellent)

15 Nov 2018

Left by Workawayer (Mike & Merry) for host

We loved being creative and learning about Maori culture at Bernie's place. Bernie took us to the local hot pool on our first afternoon there (so nice especially in the rain!) and things went swimmingly from there! :blush: Highlights included: creating art on her fence, painting sheds and children's swings, constructing a shed and sawing stones… read more

(Excellent)

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Experience Māori culture and whānau life in Tauranga, New Zealand

Profile information

Host rating

Last replied

Reply rate

Feedback

Email verified

Badges (3)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Interests

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

Languages spoken

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Can host digital nomads

Space for parking camper vans

How many Workawayers can stay?

My animals / pets

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (10)

Photos

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback