Welcome to my beachside home and garden in Paihia, New Zealand
Last activity
: 30 Apr 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 1 day
Min stay requested: 1 week or less
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 671471988638
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Feedback (7)
Janie was a fantastic host who made us feel incredibly welcome and at home in her beautiful house. She has a deep knowledge of Māori culture and knows all the best things to do in the area. Her well-structured work schedule allows plenty of time to explore or unwind in the afternoons, and if you're unsure what to do, she has countless great
… read more recommendations.
We also loved our conversations over lunch and dinner—both of which were always delicious. Our two weeks with Janie were truly wonderful, and we're so grateful for the time we spent in Paihia with her.
Not only do Stephanie and Mike have excellent combined skills in refurbishing, handyman work and gardening, but they take on every task with competance and enthusiasm. I so appreciated the two weeks they spent with me, not only for the work they carried out around my house and garden which was transformative, readying an apartment for reletting
… read more and fixing items around my home and garden, but also for interesting conversations on a wide variety of topics and hearing their enthusiastic exploration of local areas in their free time. They have been a joy to host and I wish them well with their future travels and best of luck with their new-to-them van!
Left by host for Workawayer (Abigail)
I very much appreciated Abi's help in the week she stayed here. She approached every task, from gardening, to painting the interior of cupboards to housework with enthusiasm and consideration. We got a lot of work done! Not only that, Abi made the most of exploring the local area in her free time and was always good company at meal times. I wish
… read more her all the best on her future travels.
Jane was an extremely welcoming host! We had a great time staying at her home and exploring the area of Paihia. We appreciated her knowledge of the area and history of New Zealand.
We appreciated having our own space and private entry with a beautiful view of the ocean! The amount of work was manageable to be able to still spend your afternoons
… read more exploring around Paihia.
Mel and Finn were a pleasure to host. They arrived at a time I had just returned from a cycling adventure with a broken foot and I felt incapacitated and overwhelmed. Within a few days though, they had created order in many areas of my home and garden, turning their attention to a wide variety of differin gtasks from hedge cutting to organic weed
… read more spraying, from housework to organising cupboards and linen storage. I valued their ability to use their initiative once I explained the outcome I was looking for. Moreover, we had many interesting conversations over mealtimes; I enjoyed their curiosity about local culture and history , the meal they cooked one evening as well as how they made the most of their free time to explore the local area by bike and by kayak. I wish them well in the rest of their travels around Aotearoa New Zealand.Photos
Sunset view from the kitchen
View from the deck - beach walk to town
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Janie was a fantastic host who made us feel incredibly welcome and at home in her beautiful house. She has a deep knowledge of Māori culture and knows all the best things to do in the area. Her well-structured work schedule allows plenty of time to explore or unwind in the afternoons, and if you're unsure what to do, she has countless great
… read more recommendations.
We also loved our conversations over lunch and dinner—both of which were always delicious. Our two weeks with Janie were truly wonderful, and we're so grateful for the time we spent in Paihia with her.
Not only do Stephanie and Mike have excellent combined skills in refurbishing, handyman work and gardening, but they take on every task with competance and enthusiasm. I so appreciated the two weeks they spent with me, not only for the work they carried out around my house and garden which was transformative, readying an apartment for reletting
… read more and fixing items around my home and garden, but also for interesting conversations on a wide variety of topics and hearing their enthusiastic exploration of local areas in their free time. They have been a joy to host and I wish them well with their future travels and best of luck with their new-to-them van!
Left by host for Workawayer (Abigail)
I very much appreciated Abi's help in the week she stayed here. She approached every task, from gardening, to painting the interior of cupboards to housework with enthusiasm and consideration. We got a lot of work done! Not only that, Abi made the most of exploring the local area in her free time and was always good company at meal times. I wish
… read more her all the best on her future travels.
Jane was an extremely welcoming host! We had a great time staying at her home and exploring the area of Paihia. We appreciated her knowledge of the area and history of New Zealand.
We appreciated having our own space and private entry with a beautiful view of the ocean! The amount of work was manageable to be able to still spend your afternoons
… read more exploring around Paihia.
Mel and Finn were a pleasure to host. They arrived at a time I had just returned from a cycling adventure with a broken foot and I felt incapacitated and overwhelmed. Within a few days though, they had created order in many areas of my home and garden, turning their attention to a wide variety of differin gtasks from hedge cutting to organic weed
… read more spraying, from housework to organising cupboards and linen storage. I valued their ability to use their initiative once I explained the outcome I was looking for. Moreover, we had many interesting conversations over mealtimes; I enjoyed their curiosity about local culture and history , the meal they cooked one evening as well as how they made the most of their free time to explore the local area by bike and by kayak. I wish them well in the rest of their travels around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our time with Janie was wonderful and I’m grateful to have spent ten days in Paihia with her. She was welcoming and allowed us to feel very comfortable in her home. It was inspiring to be around someone so dedicated to their passions and genuinely interested in the world around us. We shared many stimulating conversations and learnt about
… read more nonviolent communication, Māori culture, and Janie’s extensive travels.
Our tasks varied day to day. The work was fair, and Janie always valued our input and asked for our opinions. She gave us clear instructions and space to manage ourselves, so that we felt trusted. We always felt respected and considered, and it was a great environment to be in.
Janie gave us wonderful recommendations for activities in the area and wanted to help us explore. We swam loads, walked 20km around the bay, visited kauri forests and giant kauri trees, went to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and kayaked in the mangroves. It really is a beautiful spot, and we feel very lucky to have stayed there.
Thank you, Janie, for being such a generous host.
It was a joy to host Zara and Mitchell for a week. I was attempting to put my home together after renovations and the cheerful and competent way they took on a wide range of tasks from gardening to furniture shifting , and from housekeeping to putting up pictures, as well as help on my website enhanced my life. I valued the initiative they showed
… read more and their care. We enjoyed some great discussions and cooked excellent dinner on occasion too.
What a wonderful week having Cyrielle and Eloise here! It was such a joy to host these two young women - nothing seemed too much of a challenge for them - from pruning trees to shifting firewood, from scrubbing our deck ready for summer to waterblasting our carport, from housework to cooking dinner one night, they truly excelled. Yet it was their
… read more attitude and kindness , not just all the tasks they did, that left my daughter and family (who are staying right now with 3 week old baby and toddler) and myself feeling so much better for their visit. I regret often being busy with my small grandchildren and not having as much time as usual to chat, yet both 'went the extra mile' , often washing the dishes and tidying the post-toddler kitchen dinner chaos without being asked. Thank you both - I hope the rest of your time in Aotearoa NZ goes well - and best wishes with your plans.
We've had a wonderful week at Jane's place ! She is very welcoming and make you feel at home immediately.
The job was interesting, we were mostly outside and really enjoyed it.
Everything was clear since the beginning, we worked 8:30 to 1:30 and had 2 days off.
Jane is really inspiring and cook very well ! thank you for everything!
Left by host for Workawayer (Leo Natalis)
Leo and his friend Juno stayed with me for just 4 days yet my house and garden was much the better for their visit! With fluent English and a great work ethic, these 2 completed a range of tasks from stacking wood, to pruning trees, from painting to housework, despite continuing rainy weather.
I would like to wish them all the best with their
… read more future plans.
Left by Workawayer (Leo Natalis) for host
We only stayed with Janie for four days, but we wished it could have been longer. This is everything you would want from a Workaway: Janie is an amazingly welcoming host, who knows what it takes to make people feel comfortable; the work is varied, the accommodation is marvelous, with a comfortable bed and stunning ocean view; her meals are great,
… read more the area is great for exploring and just all around stunning etc. etc.
Most importantly: Janie is really interested in exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge and is immensely thoughtful in her communication.
You can come here without second guessing and will certainly love it!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Katherine)
I enjoyed hosting Kate. She is a capable and thoughtful young woman - I valued how on her first evening, she got up after dinner and began to wash the dishes, which may not sound difficult but it kind of sums up her extra level of thoughtfulness! Kate turned her hand to a wide range of tasks, from painting to garden tidying, from housework to
… read more helping me with issues on my computer, carrying each task out with maturity and thoroughness. My home and garden is looking much the better for all that she has done! I wish you well, Kate, with your future plans for life and travel.
Left by Workawayer (Katherine) for host
I just finished a lovely week with Janie in Paihia. I already miss waking up and seeing the ocean from my bedroom window! She lives in an amazing location on the sea, with beautiful views and just a short walk along the beach at low tide to get to the town of Paihia. I highly recommend a stay with Janie, she is a great host! I did a number of
… read more different tasks, some inside housework due to stormy weather, and also outside jobs when the weather was nice. Janie is a very interesting and inspiring person and we had some great conversations and I felt like I learned a lot from her during my stay. She's done lots of adventurous travel and I really enjoyed hearing her stories. Janie also gave me great suggestions on things to do in the area during my off time. Thank you Janie for a great week!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Gordon) for host
I had a great time in Janie's beautiful home. She always made sure I was happy, giving me a variety of interesting tasks and advice on what to do in my free time. The exchange was very fair with delicious food and a lovely room with an amazing view. She was very hospitable, taking me along to a community event, introducing me to her interesting
… read more friends, dropping me off at scenic points and having engaging conversation. I would highly recommend her as a host.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Gordon)
Gordon stayed a week and was a pleasure to host. He was a great help with a very varied list of tasks - from pruning olive trees to fixing my printer, from waterblasting to preparing a garden bed, from painting concrete steps to hedge trimming. He did everything with thoroughness, willingness and care and my home feels a lot more ordered for his
… read more visit.
In his free time, he made the most of the area, and we enjoyed some robust discussions on a range of topics. I'd recommend Gordon to anyone. Best wishes for your future, Gordon!Gardening in Waikawa, Picton and explore the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
Share our beautiful historic property with self contained studio in Coromandel, New Zealand
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Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Writing
Plant care
Gardening
Beach
Cycling
Yoga / Wellness
Water sports
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