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Description
Kia ora,
This is an off grid bush retreat/permaculture farm situated in Pakoka Scenic Reserve, looking over beautiful Aotea Harbour. It is run by Dan and Merve. Our vision is to create a space of creativity, sustainability and Love. We are interested in many areas including art, building, permaculture, sports, music, science, bushcraft, yoga, self improvement and more. We always look forward to share and learn any ideas of alternative thinking, curiosity, creativity, knowledge and experiences.
GETTING TO KNOW US:
Dan is a multi-skilled and innovative technologist. He worked as an engineer and electrician before becoming full time in our land. He knows a lot about sustainability, electricity, building, plumbing, solar power... He is a natural at problem solving and creating solutions. He enjoys spending time with our animals, surfing, outdoors, dancing and music.
Merve is a scientist by trade, now working as Permaculture Educator/Designer. She also trained by local Maori on indigenous connection to land and growing food. She loves experimenting and learning. She has vast knowledge on Food forest designing, preserving, fermenting, Maramataka and Moon Calendar, Herbs and invisible structures. She enjoys hiking, outdoors, sewing and creative work i.e making crafts, art..
OUR LAND:
Our land is settled amongst native trees of a Scenic Reserve. We are located 25 minutes *Out* of Raglan . We have multiple spaces to enjoy and explore.
☆ INDOORS ☆
CASA - Main house
Kitchen (fully equipped), Fire place, instruments, board games
MAHANA
• Open space with couches to chill, read, make music, yoga etc
• Instruments
SANAT - Create & Flow
• Creative space for artistic expression
• Drawing table, paints & brushes
• Pottery Wheel
• Art display
____
☆ OUTDOORS ☆
• Gardens
• Orchard/Food forest
• Beeyard
• Farm animals (Goats, Cows, Chickens, bunnies)
• Loop Track - Pakoka Reserve
(Native bush & Swim spots)
• Trampoline & Slackline
FACILITIES
• BBQ
• Gas califont shower / solar showers.
• Composting toilets
• Solar power for our lights and to charge our devices.
WHAT WE OFFER:
We offer a full immersion on Permaculture Living, applying these principles to our Land and our lives to design a better life for all. There is a lot of practical skill and knowledge you will gain during your stay including but not limited to energy systems, forest gardening, off-grid designs, preserving food, building, food forest design and maintenance, building garden beds, spring water supply and water solutions...
This is an experience of dipping your toes into a new world where a different way of living is possible. It is a great opportunity for those that want to experience land living.
You will also have access to our library of permaculture, gardening, and health books as well as other resources such as paints, tools and instruments during your stay should you want to use them.
With the knowledge you gained living with us, it's possible to start your own project or simply become more aware. We suggest staying longer to maximize your experience and learning.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
We have many projects going on. We are looking for someone who is passionate about nature, creativity, Permaculture, and personal growth. Someone that is physically fit and have self discipline. Who also is ready to immerse themselves fully in all areas of what it takes to run a permaculture farm. We can customize this for you to enhance your experience. Please be clear on what you are capable of and what you would like to learn. (See below for details about it)
LOCATION:
Aotea Harbour, Raglan, New Zealand
(25min from Raglan town, 50 min from Hamilton CBD and 40 min to Kawhia).
DURATION:
2 week initial trial period
4 week total internship following a mutually successful trial period
HOURS:
3 hours/ day
5 days a week
DIET:
We grow, trade, forage and hunt a majority of our food. Although we eat mainly vegetarian, we enjoy homegrown or hunted meat occasionally. We also milk our goats when we can. (More details below).
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Please read all carefully before writing to us just so you have a good understanding of what you are going into, if you have any questions please ask as we are very open people.
We can arrange pick up from Raglan.
We would like all Workaways to arrive on Sunday (no later than 3pm) as then we have the afternoon to connect with each other, show you around the farm and let you settle.
We are detailed people and always go for our best, we have passion for what we do and we are loving people.
Please when mailing us please use (CASA) as the “subject” this is to assure us that you have read everything.
Thank you for reading, we really appreciate this.
One vibe, One tribeTypes of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
So many benefits, such an amazing place to be. Learning here is endless.
There are a list of activities that are here.
•Animal communication/integration
•Arts and crafts
•Bush craft
•Bush walking and learning
•Ecosystems / guilds
•Energy systems
•Food Forest and Forest Gardening
•Healing Zone (Meditation, Forest Bathing)
•Learning about sustainability
•Native bush eatibles
•Outdoor Sports
•Permaculture Principles, Ethics and Applications
•Preserving food
•Playing/Learning instruments
•Renewable energy and solar energy
•Slack line ( balancing )
•Survival skills
•Surfing (Beginner's and advanced)
•Swimming (Jump-rock)
•Water systems
Around you can visit:
•Raglan (Surfer's heaven)
•Karioi Area for walking and tramping (Kariori is an extinct volcano and offers spectecular west coast views from the summit)
•Ruapuke beaches and Pirongia Forest Park
•Kawhia (a small town with a hot water beach and a gorge to visit. They also have amazing fish and chips :) )Help
Our farm is highly dynamic as it operates a wide range of permaculture systems, research projects, infrastructure expansion and also new land regeneration projects.
You will be included in tasks such as food forest management, digging, building /with clay, compost making, transplanting, building terraces, installing food forests, making firewood, weeding, planting and water supply systems. On top of these, you will be also doing daily living tasks like cooking and cleaning. Depending on your interests and previous experience we can also provide individual projects.
For these types of help, the individual must have these personal skills.
•Attention to detail
•Positivity and motivation
•Clean and tidy
•Kind and respectful
•Selfsufficient
•Fun !!
If you feel you have want it takes, we would love to meet you and have you a part of the team.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: FluentThis 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
We will provide private accommodation. We have private rooms and plenty of spaces to enjoy at our farm..
We are asking 15 hours per week, 3 hours a day from 9am to 12 midday -Monday to Friday. This gives us a good balance of a permaculture farm and have time for ourselves to enjoy.
Currently we are going under a lot of changes/challenges in our farm, which limits us financially. We came to the conclusion that we need to make a change to be able to offer this learning opportunity.
We kindly ask you to take part in food costs either by contributing $120 weekly per person or providing your own food during your time with us.
We did our best to minimize the cost so that it's possible to share nice meals all together.
Please let us know what option you would like to do when writing to us and that you have understood the food contribution.
Thank you, we really appreciate this 🙏What else ...
Raglan is close by which is a very good surfing place which we enjoy going to from time to time.
We also have many activities to do as well including bush walks, creative spaces...
Thank you for reading, we really appreciate this.
We looking forward to meeting you and look forward to the good times ahead.
One vibe, One tribeA little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
4G full bar cellular reception
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
Thank you Merve and Daniel to have welcomed us in this paradise.
The place is just beautiful, and the atmosphere is very peaceful.
Thank you for your confidence and letting us make ourselves at home, we felt part of the family.
We hope the little babies goats are ok?
We missed lemon pie and little rabbits around :)
See… read more
Great team work and feel they are apart of our family.
We would like to thank you so much for helping us and it was great to meet you.
If anyone is interested in workaways I would highly recommend.
We look forward to seeing you again and you are always welcome back :-)
Dan has such a huge knowledge about living of the land and self sufficiency and he is very proud of what they have achieved.… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
Thank you Merve and Daniel to have welcomed us in this paradise.
The place is just beautiful, and the atmosphere is very peaceful.
Thank you for your confidence and letting us make ourselves at home, we felt part of the family.
We hope the little babies goats are ok?
We missed lemon pie and little rabbits around :)
See… read more
Great team work and feel they are apart of our family.
We would like to thank you so much for helping us and it was great to meet you.
If anyone is interested in workaways I would highly recommend.
We look forward to seeing you again and you are always welcome back :-)
Dan has such a huge knowledge about living of the land and self sufficiency and he is very proud of what they have achieved.… read more
Merve and Daniel give you a lot of freedom to organize your day as they are working full time. On the weekends we went hiking and surfing. If you want to learn surfing in your free time this is an ideal place as they… read more