Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Sep 2025
Reply rate
97.1 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
36
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Kia ora,
We’d love for you to enjoy your stay with us and experience our beautiful city!
Rotorua is a vibrant town on the shores of its namesake lake, located on Aotearoa New Zealand’s North Island. It’s well known for its geothermal wonders and rich Māori culture.
We’re a family of five, plus a friendly cat and three chickens, living in a quiet, leafy neighbourhood about 5km from the town centre. Frédéric (originally from Tahiti, French Polynesia) is a self-employed outrigger canoe builder, and Justine is an early childhood education (ECE) teacher and tutor at a local tertiary institute.
Our household is made up of Fredo and Justine, a teenage English language student from overseas, and our two young nephews.
Work is in exchange for sharing culture, food, accommodation and activities when weather and time allows. We love going walking and biking etc. When weather and time allows. Food is cereal for breakfast, sandwich or leftovers lunch and hot cooked dinner. Snacks not included as everyone is different.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Ngā mihi,
Justine & Fredo
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
Interests
Self development
Movies & TV
Events & social
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Charity work
History
Plant care
Music
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Animals
Carpentry
Nature
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand’s North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and rich Māori culture. Our place is just a short drive from many of Rotorua’s popular tourist attractions, as well as the renowned cycleways and trails the region is famous for.
There’s a local bus stop (CityRide – Springfield route) at the end of our street, so getting around without a car is easy.
We’re happy to interact as much or as little as you like — whether you’re after some quiet time or keen for a chat, we’re here to help and answer any questions you may have.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
GARDENING & SPRING CLEANING
(Jardinage et nettoyage)
ALL YEAR ROUND
We are looking for a short-term volunteer to help with a variety of tasks for 4–5 hours a day (flexible to suit your plans).
Typical tasks include:
• Vegetable garden layout and planting
• Weeding and general yard tasks
• House cleaning and spring organising
• Painting or small building projects
We provide accommodation in our home and meals
⸻
PREFERRED LENGTH OF STAY
• One week preferred (extensions possible)
• Minimum stay: 2–3 days
⸻
Hours
• 4–5 hours per day
• days off: great time for sightseeing or a day trip!
• NB: I’m not home on Saturdays,
⸻
📍 There’s a local bus stop (CityRide – Springfield route) just down the road.
🚌 For timetables: baybus.co.nz/rotorua/rotorua-urban
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Your room: is furnished with two comfy single sized beds, with linen and towels supplied. It is a comfortable space with WIFI, microwave, toaster, fridge (out of order), jug, tea and coffee facilities. We live in the suburb of SPRINGFIELD. We also have a single room upstairs. Our place is close (a short drive) tourist attractions and the cycleways and trails that Rotorua is famous for.Note: this neighbourhood does NOT have the famous Rotorua sulphur smell :)
What else ...
Sorry No Smoking/Vaping
We do not drink alcohol
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
When all the bedrooms in the house are occupied, we’re still able to host helpers travelling in campervans. We have a large, safe driveway where you’re welcome to park your van, and you’ll have access to our indoor bathroom, shower, laundry, and kitchen facilities. If you’re interested, please feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to share more information.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Heihei (3 years)
Friendly girls
Mellow (4 years)
Friendly cat
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (17)
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
I loved their cozy home; it feels very safe and is very warm and welcoming which made the rainy days much better. The neighbourhood is very nice and peaceful and you can explore a beautiful small reserve and a park close by. It's also just a… read more
We highly recommend Franco to other hosts. He is kind, friendly and a very hard worker.
He helped to tidy the yard and garden. Franco also cleaned our house from top to bottom including the high ceilings and much more. Every job was done to a very high standard.
We enjoyed his company and he also got up early on Saturday morning to join… read more
They are a very nice family, despite not having perfect English, they welcomed me with open arms in their home, they also live in a very nice place, quiet and very nice, I hope I helped enough, justine is one of… read more
So glad to have… read more
She told me Hei Hei (the first hen) arrived at their place to find shelter, and believe me, she chose the right family.
Justine is one of the kindest human on Earth, Frederic is amazing and interesting, the boys Tiki & Hami are so smart and… read more
We highly recommend CM. She stayed with us for almost two weeks. She was a wonderful helper and very trustworthy. My husband and I went away for the weekend, leaving our chickens, cat and house in her very capable caring hands. We returned home to happy pets, a clean house and the gardening done beautifully. The icing on the cake was… read more
What a wonderful people this family is and we wish them all the best. It was sad leaving l,… read more
We highly recommend Anaïs. She was a wonderful helper and very trustworthy. My husband and I went away on holiday and leaving our boys, cat and house in her very capable caring hands. We are looking forward to seeing her again.
Everyone was so lovely with me, even Melow the cat has love to share !
The place is very close to the town and there is so many things to do in Rotorua!
Thank you so much for everything
The stay is really based on echange and sharing with good mood and smile. Justine takes the time to show her daily life. A very rewarding first workaway experience for me. Thank you very much.
He was a wonderful young man with exceptional potential. He is gracious and really a lovely person.
Benjamin completed all tasks efficiently and he only had to be shown once how to do a task and then could complete perfectly.
Have fun on exploring Aotearoa NZ! You are welcome back anytime,… read more
Justine and Frederic are really knowledgeable about their country, their culture and the town they are living. Justine took us to different places, all magical moments. Thank you again for everything.
have wonderful adventures as you both explore the rest of Aotearoa. Bon voyage -… read more
It was really good to stay one week.
Very flexible with time of work, And good cookers!!
Thanks a lot for your time and shared with us some wonderful activities.
We will come back with pleasure.
Thank you for the wonderful time we could spend with you!
This stay was such a big help for us and also we could feel that we are in a family what I am aready miss.
Actually I very liked the garden work, we had gloves provided etc.. and good company Thank you Hami..:)
Thanks Justin to take me to the Secret Spot :) and for the… read more
fantastic helpers. They work hard. They are a delight to have in the house. Don't think twice if
They apply to stay with you ... call yourself lucky. Thank you so much, you two, for the wonderful time we had with you.
