Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Feb 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
19
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, we are Francois, Kate, Mateo and Max. Two years ago we built a Straw bale home, on a very special piece of land in the Waipara gorge. The home was made with as much recycled, low or no carbon foot print materials.
We are about to start on smaller earthen buildings, and would love help from people interested in this. As well as food forest gardens, and saving a special piece of native bush from evasive weeds. We want to build a small cabin at the Bush site too.
We have a big love of earthen homes and would like to share some of our experiences and knowledge with people who are interested.
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
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I believe we have a lot to share, and visitors could learn a wide range of skills.
Range of Earth building skills, garden planning, planting, forgaging, and preserving the produce,
Weaving with flax and willow,
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for strong, fit, energetic people, with a real interest in earth building. Tasks could/will involve, making earthern plaster (3 different types), applying plaster on different substrates (including strawbale walls). Working with lime plaster, Helping run workshops, .
Help with cooking local/wild food meals, Preserving wild foods
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a sweet small hut/cottage, at the gorge made from straw bale.
I would love to share cooking meals, I am a cook by trade and sharing great food is important to us.
We cook from the garden and paddock, organic or wild food mostly.
What else ...
Waipara is a beautiful region with lots to see and do, we love to get to the coast for free diving, and coastal foraging. Head to the hills for a tramp, or sample some delicious wines from down the valley.
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
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (10)
Very keen on the earthen building side of things, and very helpful with many varying jobs we have here.
We did a range of different tasks, mainly helping Kate out with her… read more
She was keen to learn and loved the animals around home.
Amazing duck herder!! And fencher.
She loved exploring the river, and was always polite and kind.
I wish her all the best in the future
Xx Kate
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)
Very keen on the earthen building side of things, and very helpful with many varying jobs we have here.
We did a range of different tasks, mainly helping Kate out with her… read more
She was keen to learn and loved the animals around home.
Amazing duck herder!! And fencher.
She loved exploring the river, and was always polite and kind.
I wish her all the best in the future
Xx Kate
Always keen to give anything a go, very polite and just a lovely human.
We worked on a small earth cabin, and his work was always to a high standard.
I have no hesitation in recommending him highly to any other host.
We wish you all the best in your studies and… read more
Both very driven with wanting to learn as much new earthern building knowledge as possible.
Coming from an architectual background was very handy for us, as they have designed a new little cabin which we are soon to build.
Giamarco is great in the kitchen whipping up tasty pasta dishes, and… read more
Since the beginning we really felt at home and welcomed from all the family and… read more
Both very driven with wanting to learn as much new earthern building knowledge as possible.
Coming from an architectual background was very handy for us, as they have designed a new little cabin which we are soon to build.
Giamarco is great in the kitchen whipping up tasty pasta dishes, and… read more
Since the beginning we really felt at home and welcomed from all the family and… read more
Such a pleasure to host and live with, always helpful in the kitchen making yummy dishes.
So great with all the animals, especially Gus our dog ( think he is still missing them)!
We will always welcome you too back here.
And wish you all the best with your travels.
Xx
Cami was a really hard worker, and cooked us a traditional dish from her home! Richard is a great communicator, with many interesting stories to tell.
We wish them all the best in their travels. Thanks Kate
Crazy times but very happy to have gone through this with Jen.
I wish her all the best for the remaining time in NZ, and can't recommend… read more
Whilst I was staying, the work was focused on the external walls which included prepping the walls by filling in holes, attaching appropriate mesh and applying earth plaster. I also helped with day to day chores with the animals and around… read more
Can't recommend enough.
Hopefully we will meet again soon.
First workaway guests and a great experience. Thankyou
