Live the authentic local experience with us in Auckland, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  We're a husband and wife who have 4 grown up children. They all technically live at home, if not traveling or working crazy hours. My husband Paul owns and works most days in his cleaning business, and I am a stay at home wife with a part time job as receptionist. We live in Torbay on the North Shore of Auckland on a quarter acre section 5 minutes walk from our picturesque Waiake Beach. Our family home has housed 4 generations of our family, is divided in the main dwelling upstairs, and our abode downstairs. In the past we have hosted mainly Japanese language students, and also rented out our house upstairs to new immigrants. We have a Rottweiler who on closer acquaintance is very friendly and warns me when my chickens have escaped, again.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Languages

  

  History

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Depending on season and weather, there are many things we explore in our local community. As part of our Christian faith we meet on Sundays with fellow believers and those seeking, at the Auckland wide Calvary Chapel. We have many cultures alive in Auckland with each their individual expressions. There are several farmers markets, Asian markets and Polynesian markets.There are small live folk music concerts we like to go to, or bigger agricultural and pasture shows.
  As a Dutch migrant 40 years ago, I embraced the New Zealand culture and simple way of life, which was family, hard work, sport and the enjoyment of our beautiful country. We would like to share that, and also learn about your language, culture and values.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We need help with the upkeep of our house and property. This involves gardening, (weeding, netting, general tidying around, if summer, watering garden and trees) Also some minor projects. If you don't know how to do any of these things, that's fine, as long as you are happy to learn, we're happy to teach and will be working together doing these things. Any skill you bring will be appreciated.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Beginner
  French: Beginner
  Japanese: Beginner
  Korean: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Happy to have anyone who wants to learn English.
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  Accommodation

  Workawayers will be staying in a bedroom in the house upstairs. They are welcome to use the facilities of it, but you need to be wise enough to come downstairs for social interaction. Even though there is a kitchen upstairs, we cook and eat together downstairs. We have our main meal early afternoon, and usually a small breakfast and small meal in the evening. We are happy to provide these meals, but if you need more or different you are welcome to add your own.

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  What else ...

  Our Christian faith is important to us, and ask you to be respectful of it, as we will be respectful of your beliefs.
  We know you are on holiday, but no photo of any person in this house should be shared without our express permission. Friends are welcome to come and visit, but cannot stay the night. No smoking on our property, no drugs tolerated at any time.
  There is a wealth of beauty around us to be explored. Good weather options are: the miles of coastal walks along our coastline with stunning views. Some of the islands are accessible by ferry and can be walked and climbed. Out west we have the Waitakere ranges for some decent bush walks and our rugged west coast beaches. Our beach is great for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. Bad weather options: get a bus/ferry pass. Buses that connect with city buses are a 5 minute walk away. Intercity bus is a good option for cross country travel. We have good malls, shops, movie theaters or for something different, explore the WW2 underground tunnels in Devonport.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  Tor

  Tor is a male Rottweiler. He loves meeting new people and gets very exited when he does. He's good natured and playful.

  Chickens

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