The Tree House - this amazing home has been built by Sanna and Ellis on their small farm

New Zealand

updated

Favourited 1023 times

Host rating
Feedback
64
Last activity
22/01/2021
Reply rate
94.1 %
Average reply time:
within 4 days
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least a week

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What's this?

Details

Description
We are a fun and loving couple. We live life to the fullest and love to meet and get to know people from other countries. Sanna is from Finland and Ellis from New Zealand.

We have traveled extensively and know what it is like to be in a new country far away from home. Ellis has been involved in filming several adventure travel documentaries, the latest for National Geographic.

We have built our own home ‘The Tree House’ with two 9 meter trees inside the lounge. The Tree House also has a huge rock fireplace and lots of other amazing features. Our property has stunning mountain views to the Inland Kaikoura Mountain Ranges.

We live a healthy lifestyle with healthy nutrition and daily exercise. We have our well-equipped gym and train ourselves daily. Sanna is a personal trainer. You are welcome to use the gym.

We have a couple of mountain bikes you are welcome to use. Our local beach is only 8 kms away and there are some nice walks and tracks that you can explore.

Be sure to check out the positive feedback that other travelers have submitted about us.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Elderly Companionship
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have traveled extensively ourselves (between us over 60 countries) and we love to meet and get to know people from different countries and cultures, and we love to teach and share our lifestyle.

We pride ourselves in taking care of all travelers who stay with us.
Help
We are looking for positive, happy, enthusiastic and outgoing people to come and help us with things that we need assistance with. Including planting, gardening, building, general maintenance and help cleaning around the house.

We ask you to buy and provide most of your groceries, however, we will supply some food, as well as seasonal fruit and vegies, and Sanna makes amazing home-baked bread.

We do appreciate helpful, motivated, honest people. If you feel like a real Kiwi / Finnish experience, then this is the place to be.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Finnish: Fluent
Sami: Fluent
Swedish: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
Please contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We have built a cozy self-contained cabin on our property, near a small stream, which you will be staying in. The cabin has 2 single beds and 1 double bed, running water, a wood fire log burner, kitchen, living room, gas stove to cook on, and toilet. There is also a cozy and sheltered big outdoor deck and picnic table.
What else ...
Cheviot is a small friendly town that occupies the rolling farmland between two of the South Island's magnificent braided rivers and the Pacific Ocean. While small in stature, Cheviot has attractions and services well beyond its size.

Big blue skies and fresh country air are the base notes for this slice of paradise. The pace is relaxed, crowds are few. Cheviot village is the economic and social hub of this largely rural community of around 1,500 people, where "old fashioned" community values sit comfortably alongside the town's growing art scene and attractive cafes.

Cheviot enjoys a full range of shops and services while just down the road is Gore Bay, one of the South Island's top surf spots and a popular destination for families to swim, explore the rock pools at low tide, fish and dive. The Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer premium salmon and trout fishing and the delicious whitebait.

Check out the Domain at the south edge of town on the coast side, wonderful in the spring with abundant Daffodils.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have long range wifi connected to the cabin where you are staying.
Space for parking camper vans
We have lots of parking space on our property.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
20 hours/week - some food

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (64)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)

Cultural exchange:
(4.8)

Communication:
(5.0)

30/11/2020

Left by Workawayer (Nicola & Tristan) for host

We absolutely loved this workaway experience, so much so that we ended up staying a week longer than planned! Sanna and Ellis are lovely people and very welcoming hosts, we really enjoyed getting to know them. There is so much to mention that was fantastic but highlights would have to be the pizza oven nights and Sanna's delicious baking!

The… read more

(Excellent )

09/08/2020

Left by Workawayer (Nicoletta) for host

It was a pleasure to stay at the tree house with Sanna and Ellis. They are really nice people and they can really meke you feel at home. Thanks you for my very first workaway experience!

(Excellent )

09/07/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicoletta)

It was a pleasure to have Nicoetta staying with us.

She is an enjoyable person to have stay, she does a great job, is respectful and positive, and we can highly recommend her :)

(Excellent )

28/06/2020

Left by Workawayer (Sara & Ana) for host

Ellis and Sanna are amazing! We had so much fun staying there. Ellis always found new and fun jobs for us to do and Sanna bakes the best bread! We highly recommend everyone to stay with them to experience true New Zealand.
We stayed in a cute little self-contained cabin. It has everything you need.
And we already miss Sasha the dog :)
Thanks guys… read more

(Excellent )

26/06/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Sara & Ana)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Sara and Ana staying with us. They have great communication, they are punctual, hard working, do an excellent job, use their own initiative, are respectful and enjoyable people to have around, and we can highly recommend them :)

(Excellent )

07/06/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Anna staying and also all her help is very much appreciated :) She is a happy, helpful, respectful and very enjoyable person, and we can highly recommend her anytime :)

(Excellent )

07/04/2020

Left by Workawayer (ALBERTO) for host

This are an exceptional couple full of an amazingly good attitude and energy that is hardly seen out there.
They have so much passion and love for life that is contagious and inspiring.
He is ultra active and always have different projects ahead, she never miss a smile and good laugh.
I have been working for their father that is a piece of museum… read more

(Excellent )

15/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (David) for host

Sanna and Ellis are really nice.
They saw a lot of the world and have great story's to share.

The work is fine they always try to find something that suits your skills and often you learn something new.

I installed a lot of lights and two solar panels at the two self contained cabins on the property.
That is the place to where the Workawayers… read more

(Excellent )

24/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (David)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have David staying with us and helping us out.

We can highly recommend him to anyone, and we wish that he would have stayed longer :)

(Excellent )

14/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Julius & Ben-Noah) for host

This place is absolutely incredible.
We wanted to make a workaway and that was our first experience. But Sanna and Ellis made us feel so comfortable that we immediately felt to be part of the family. Everyday we had the chance to wake up to an awesome view and then start the day with some work. The work was always fun because it was a new task… read more

(Excellent )

10/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Alexandre & Marie) for host

Great meeting, a real small community, very warm with an inspiring lifestyle.
We loved our experience at Ellis and Sanna.

Thank you, we hope to see you again,
Alex & Marie

(Excellent )

13/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Amy)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Amy stay, and help my 87-year old father-in-law.

Amy is super positive, fun and full of funny jokes, and she is so lovely to have around. She has been a great companion and person for my father-in-law.

She is willing to do any tasks and she does them to perfection.

Amy is hardworking, take initiative and… read more

(Excellent )

08/01/2020

Left by Workawayer (Jan) for host

I love this place!
It was my first experience and couldn’t be any better. First of all, it is a pure pleasure to with Sanna and Ellis and I couldn’t get enough of it. Second, this place is amazing. Not only the views from the top, the cozy cabins but most important the family feeling.
My understanding of NZ being friendly, kind and generous is… read more

(Excellent )

24/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jan)

WHAT AN AMAZING YOUNG MAN!

We have had the absolute pleasure of having Jan staying with us and helping us out. He is an amazing person, so mature, responsible, and confident for his young age, and he takes pride in what he is doing, is hard-working, takes initiative and uses common sense, and does a great job.

He is a pleasure to have around and… read more

(Excellent )

24/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (Valentina & David) for host

Our experience was very peaceful and relaxing. The area is easier to enjoy if you go by car. And, Sana and Ellis are really kind and easygoing.

(Excellent )

24/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Valentina & David)

It has been a pleasure to have Valentina and David stay with us and help us out.

They are hard workers and willing to do any tasks, and they do a great job.

We can highly recommend them as helpers :)

(Excellent )

22/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Alex & Billy)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Billy and Alex staying with us. They are young, eager and enthusiastic boys who are willing to give anything a go, and happy to learn new things.
They do a good job, follow instructions and complete the job with a smile on their face :)
We can highly recommend them as helpers :)

(Excellent )

14/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (Alex & Billy) for host

Wonderful place and even more wonderful people! This was me and Billy's first workaway, and we genuinely could not have picked a better place. Ellis was great at teaching us new practical skills and Sanna would make us really good bread + cakes! Ellis even ended up taking us both on a two day long rafting trip which was brilliant. The hut that we… read more

(Excellent )

15/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Larissa)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Larissa staying with us.

She is positive and willing to do any task given, and she does a great job. She is enjoyable to have around and we can highly recommend her to anyone :)

We look forward to hopefully have her back in the future :)

(Excellent )

27/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Larissa) for host

I don't even know where to start...Didn't right before 'cause I was trying to find the right words, but it would never be enough. I can only say my experience with Sanna and Ellis was AMAZING! Never thought I would like that much. I haven't only learned about plumbing, building, gardening, but also had great talks about life that were really… read more

(Excellent )

06/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Lauren & Ivan)

Lauren and Ivan stayed with us in October 2019.

They are an amazing young couple, hard-working, punctual and a pleasure to have around.

We can highly recommend them :)

Kind regards,

Sanna and Ellis :)

(Excellent )

28/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Lauren & Ivan) for host

We absolutely loved our time at The Tree House with Sanna and Ellis (and Sasha). They were kind, welcoming, funny, open, and Ellis made a real effort to teach us about the tasks we were doing, why we did it, what’s the best practice etc, so we never felt like ‘just workers’, it was a real exchange in the spirit of workaway. Our accomodation was… read more

(Excellent )

20/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria)

We can highly recommend Victoria :)

She is an easygoing, happy and positive girl, who is willing to learn and do new things.

She has great work ethics and is a hard worker.

We look forward to having her back :)

(Excellent )

20/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Victoria) for host

My experience in this place was amazing, It was my first host in WA and I loved it. Sanna and Ellis are lovely people, they were looking after us all the time. I was working with Ellis doing gardening and helping with his building project, the experience was really good, he was teaching me everything about the tools, how to use them and how to… read more

(Excellent )

10/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Humphrey & Sally)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Sally and Humphrey staying with us. We can HIGHLY recommend them to anyone!

They are happy, positive, enthusiastic, hard-working and easy-going, and a pleasure to have around :)

We can highly recommend them :)

(Excellent )

10/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Chloe)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Chloe house and animal sit for us. She is the perfect person for this and is loving and caring and looked well after the animals while we were away.
Chloe is punctual and keeps well in touch if there are any problems or questions.
Chloe is a bubbly and positive person with a great look at life.
As well as… read more

(Excellent )

09/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Chloe) for host

I spent 3 months here at Sanna and Ellis house sitting for them and helping them out and I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend them to anyone. They are so helpful and friendly and will always do their best to help you out. I learnt new skills from them too and they were always really Pacient with me because I didn’t come from an… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Finja & Camilo)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Finja helping us. She spent most of the time helping my 87-year old father-in-law out with various tasks on his little farm. He was so pleased with all the help that Finja gave him, and he truly enjoyed her company, and they became good friends during Finja's stay with him.
We can highly recommend Finja to… read more

(Excellent )

31/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Finja & Camilo) for host

I spent such a amazing time with this family and can highly recommend it to every traveler!
What began as a one-week-in-between-solution turned into a three week stay and really became a second home for me.
Instead of staying at Ellises and Sanna place I was hosted by Ellis father Robyn who is one of the kindest and heart warming people I've met… read more

(Excellent )

25/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Emma & David)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Emma and David staying with us. They are a great couple and very enjoyable to have stay. They are hard working and did a great job at any tasks given. We can highly recommend them :)

(Excellent )

25/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Emma & David) for host

We had a wonderful time here. We helped Ellis with various tasks including sanding, collecting firewood, lawn mowing and other tasks on their land and around the lodge. We stayed on a self-contained bus at Ellis' father's property and it was very cool and cosy with the log fire burning!

Ellis and Sanna were lovely hosts who made us feel at home!… read more

(Excellent )

25/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Gemma & Paul)

It was an absolute pleasure to have Gemma and Paul staying with us. They are a great couple and very enjoyable to have stay. They are hard working and did a great job at any tasks given. We can highly recommend them :)

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Gemma & Paul) for host

This was our first workaway experience and it was fantastic! Sanna and Ellis are so friendly and welcoming, and they have a truly beautiful home. The work was varied, interesting, with new skills to be learnt- definitely for people who like to be outdoors no matter the weather! The cabins we stayed in were lovely, and we enjoyed using the gym at… read more

(Excellent )

23/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Pavlína & Charles)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Pavlina and Charles staying with us. They are an interesting couple and very enjoyable people.

They did a great job with any task at hand, and they also managed other travellers staying with us with various jobs on our property.

They are hard working, tidy, organized and they do a great job - and we can… read more

(Excellent )

23/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Pavlína & Charles) for host

We stayed with Sanna and Ellis for 14 days. It was an amazing experience. They have an absolutely beautiful property. We stayed in a cozy little cabin with fire place and big outside seating area. We worked 4 hours a day, it was mostly gardening, landscaping and some cleaning. As a big bonus, we had our evening group sessions in the gym when Ellis… read more

(Excellent )

14/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jonas & Laura)

Laura and Jonas are willing and hardworking people :)

We enjoyed having them with us and they always did their best and were happy to do any tasks.

We can highly recommend them to anyone ;)

(Excellent )

14/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Jonas & Laura) for host

We had an amazing time staying with Sanna and Ellis on their beautiful farm. Both were really friendly, considerate and welcoming!

The cabin we lived in was cosy and although there was no power, we could use the gas heater and stove to cook.
We mostly worked for Ellis who picked us up in the mornings (resulting in ongoing fights over who got to… read more

(Excellent )

26/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Taylor) for host

I reached out to Sanna and Ellis in hopes of staying on their beautiful property - they were full at the time so instead they suggested I did a work exchange with their father in law/father who lives a couple of houses down, in which I had the most wonderful time and truly made my first real friend here in New Zealand. Spending the time I spent… read more

(Excellent )

02/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Clara) for host

I stayed with Sanna and Ellis for tree weeks and I absolutely loved it! Both a kind hearted people which made me feel comfortable immediately. Thank you for all your tips, advices and giving me a home in New Zealand!

The work wasn‘t too hard and usually varied every day, why I feel like that I learned a lot of different things. I also liked that… read more

(Excellent )

01/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Clara)

We can highly recommend Clara.
She is an awesome, happy and positive girl with great work ethics, and she is a joy to have around.
She is punctual, hardworking and does a great job.
She is willing to do any jobs and she does them thoroughly.
:)

(Excellent )

29/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Craig & Aimee) for host

Ellis and Sanna were our very first workaway experience. They were very welcoming and showed us around there stunning home and property. They have a wide variety of projects to do so the work is varied. We truly enjoyed our "pizza party" where we all brought toppings and spent a beautiful evening cooking oven roasted pizza and getting to know each… read more

(Very good )

01/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Joy & Jasmine ) for host

It was a great experience staying at Ellis and Sanna's place! Learned and experienced many things. We worked in the morning and had gym in the evening. Overall, it was a fun and amazing experience!

(Excellent )

22/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Gemma & David) for host

We had a great stay with Ellis at the Treehouse. The work was varied, satisfying and there are lots of new skills to be learnt! It was sometimes a little difficult having no electricity at the cabin for this time of the year – but did make for some cosy candlelit dinners :) lovely to meet you, and thanks so much for having us!

(Excellent )

15/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Gemma & David)

It has been a pleasure to have Gemma and David staying with us, and helping us out with various tasks.

We can highly recommend them to anyone :)

(Excellent )

15/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Naomi)

It has been a pleasure to have Naomi staying with us and helping us out with various tasks.

We can highly recommend Naomi to anyone :)

(Excellent )

22/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Devin & Carly ) for host

We had such an amazing time staying with Sanna and Ellis! We really can't put into words how amazing our experience was with them, all the fun stories, laughs, and good times. It was the perfect end to our travels and we feel so very lucky to have been welcomed into their home! The work was both doable and enjoyable and we absolutely loved… read more

(Excellent )

05/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Gabriella) for host

I don’t think I can put into words what a great time I had staying with Sanna and Ellis! They are such a friendly, welcoming couple and from the moment I arrived I felt completely at ease - truly a home away from home :)
The work is relatively easy and I learnt lots of new skills. Mainly you’ll be helping Ellis with any of his many projects. He… read more

(Excellent )

16/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (jackson)

It was nice to have Jackson staying with us and helping us out with various tasks around the house and property.

Jackson is a happy and positive person who is willing to help with any task, and giving anything a go.

We can recommend him as a helper.

(Good )

11/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (jackson) for host

Words will not do this one justice!

My best experience so far with Workaway. From helping to build the outside bathroom, to sitting outside and talking by the fire, it was everything I could have pictured. Sanna and Ellis are such gracious hosts, and they lit my desire to push myself to higher forms of adventure ...Scuba, and many other… read more

(Excellent )

11/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (D\'Arcy)

It was an absolute pleasure to have D'Arcy stay with us and help us out with various tasks.

We can highly recommend D'Arcy to anyone needing help.

He is punctual, respectful and a nice person to have in your home.

He is a hard worker and is willing to do any work task, and he does them well.

We are looking forward to having D'Arcy back at… read more

(Excellent )

05/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Philipp) for host

What a great time in this place! The time flew by, as always with intersting things to do and good company. I spent 3 weeks in this cosy cabin which felt like home after a while. I am so thankfull for all the stuff that I learned from the work at the farm and heimish's place. Thanks for all the life lesson,crazy story and all the gym sessions we… read more

(Excellent )

01/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Philipp)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Philipp staying with us for almost 3 weeks.

He is a great guy, punctual, tidy and hard working.

He was willing to help with any task at hand, and he always did a great job.

We can highly recommend Philipp to anyone needing a helping hand, he is an asset to have around :)

Kind regards,

Sanna :)

(Excellent )

01/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Caroline & Lisa)

It has been our pleasure to have Caroline and Lisa staying with us.

They are both nice and positive girls to have around.

They were willing to do any work, and they did the jobs well.

They are polite and considerate and a pleasure to have in the house.

We can highly recommend both Lisa and Caroline to anyone needing a helping hand.

Kind… read more

(Excellent )

05/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Leah) for host

Me and my brother had such a perfect time at the tree house! It was our 4th work away job in new zealand and so far the most wonderful place to stay at all!
We have done a lot of gardening, I was planting trees,getting firewood or taking care of the plants in the shade house while my brother was helping ellis building a tree house in the… read more

(Excellent )

04/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Olivier & Ruta) for host

We had a great stay at Sanna & Ellis place. They are really friendly and welcoming people with a good sense of humour and nice personalities.
The work was varied : we did a lot of landscaping (planting trees and native grass, removing weeds and mulching). We also helped on the construction of wooden tree houses and other jobs like mowing the… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Olivier & Ruta)

It has been an absolute pleasure to have Ruta and Olivier stay with us and help us out with various projects.

Ruta and Olivier are bot a very happy and positive couple and a pleasure to have around - always filming and content.

They are punctual and do a great work and clean up after the job is done.

We can highly recommend Ruta and Olivier to… read more

(Excellent )

19/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Amedeo)

We can highly recommend Amedeo to anyone needing a helping hand.

He is hardworking and eager, with great work ethics.

He is a pleasure to have around and always happy and positive.

(Excellent )

13/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (Johanna) for host

I enjoyed staying with this great family. Ellis and Sanna are inspiring people and I loved meeting them.
Their parents (in-law) are lovely and I felt welcome all the time. I learnt new things and enjoyed helping them.

Thanks for the great experience!
Johanna :)

(Excellent )

31/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Johanna)

Johanna was a pleasure to have staying with our family. She stayed with my parents-in-law.

She is a great worker with good work ethics. She does a great job and takes initiative.

Johanna is a good communicator and has great stories.

We can highly recommend Johanna to anyone needing a helping hand :)

Kind regards,

Sanna :)

(Excellent )

31/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin)

Thank you Martin for your help and assistance. It was short and sweet, but great and very much appreciated :)

Kind regards,

Sanna :)

(Excellent )

14/02/2017

Left by Workawayer (Brenda & Anthony) for host

We spended a really great time at Ellis and Sanna's place! The cabin is a peaceful and quiet place where we enjoyed staying! Ellis and Sanna have a lot of funny stories to share, we had fun listening to some of them!
We recommend this host if you like quiet stay and the sport :-)
Thanks for all!

(Excellent )

14/02/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Brenda & Anthony)

It has been a pleasure to have Brenda and Anthony stay with us. They are both polite and nice people and have helped us out with numerous tasks around the house and property :)

They are punctual and tidy, and clean up after each job was completed.

We can highly recommend their assistance to anyone who need a helping hand :)

(Excellent )

06/01/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Heidi)

Heidi is a really great person and gave us well needed help around our home and property with a variety of tasks.

Heidi has high work ethics and is willing to do any jobs, and she does them to a good standard. She is hard working, punctual and reliable and she cleans up after each job.

I has been an absolute pleasure to have Heidi stay with… read more

(Excellent )

06/01/2017

Left by Workawayer (Heidi) for host

There is only one word to explain a stay in the Tree House ... A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !!!! I stayed wih Ellis & Sanna for a first 1 month when I was traveling in New Zealand last year, and decided to come back and finally stayed 4 more months. This was one of my best memories ever !

Ellis & Sanna are so kind and inspiring people. Sanna makes lots of… read more

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 666586267733

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