Creating a home in the forest near Omotumotu Valley, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple from New Zealand who have both spent many years of our lives traveling through this world and are most happy when wandering down a forgotten path through the mountains somewhere. We are both motivated to get away from busy places, to find quiet, remote spots in nature and to meet people who are happy to share differing perspectives. We both care a lot for authenticity of experiences in life and of people, and aren't particularly good at making small talk.
  
  In regards to careers, Annelise is part way through her medical training, which unfortunately requires her to often be close to larger hospital centres. Tom works as a carpenter and keeps himself mostly busy with carrying out fine woodworking, renovation, or restoration projects for people. Currently Annelise has a 6-month work placement in Sligo Hospital, and so we are both based in Sligo for the second half of 2026.
  
  Over the years we have both volunteered our time with many different projects around the world and for our own home in New Zealand we have had many people come to stay and help out over the last 5 years too, so we are well accustomed to how volunteering can work out. The link below is to our hosting - workaway page, which gives another insight into who we are and also provides some references from volunteers staying with us.
  
  

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Carpentry

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  Books

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Music

  

  Water sports
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The West Coast is one the most untouched, remote, and beautiful parts of New Zealand. In the middle of this, our home offers the opportunity to live in what feels like a very remote location, whilst also being close to town & the coast at the same time. Reading our references would also give a nice answer to this.

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  Help

  By trade, Annelise is a doctor and Tom is a Carpenter. We are both very practical people and have built our own home in New Zealand from scratch.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Beginner
  Russian: Beginner

  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.
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  Accommodation

  For anyone motivated to stay with us, we ask that you stay for one week or longer and we can offer food and shelter for a half day's help in return. As described above, living here is simple; electricity is a small solar system, water is from the roof, the toilet is a compost loo, and (hot) showering is outside under a rimu tree. Sleeping options are constantly evolving, so ask us if this may be a concern for you, but generally what we offer to helpers is a 3-man tent with a thermarest + bedding, and a tarp over top to create an awning. Surrealy enough there is good cellphone coverage around the cabins and we can occasionally give you a hotspot if you don't have a working SIM card. If you're coming with a vehicle, then the last 1km of road is private (with a locked gate), and there is a large, flat area at the end of the road to park up. If you have a van / camper and wish to sleep there, then this would be no problem at all, as there is a large carport to park under, a compost toilet & a hot shower there to use as well.

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  What else ...

  We are about 10-minutes drive from Greymouth, which is the closest place for shops, supermarkets, petrol stations, a hospital, and all the usual supplies in a small local town. There's no bus service to our place, so if you're arriving without a vehicle then we can happily pick you up from town.
  
  We also have a volunteer page on Helpx, and Tom has a page on Bewelcome & Trustroots.

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  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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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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