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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
6 Jul 2025
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Description
We are a family of 4 (two girls aged 11 and 14), recently returned to NZ after 16 years in the UK - now home 4 years and settled back into Kiwi life on a 4ha lifestyle block in West Melton. We spent 2018/2019 travelling Europe and Africa in an old Land Rover, and to be honest are missing regular interactions and sharing crazy travel stories with likeminded global roamers such as ourselves!
We are both working Monday to Friday now, and during the school Terms are looking for responsible self managing Workawayers to keep the place tidy, exercise the dog and feed the animals, do light gardening etc. For long weekends and school holidays, workawayers would be house sitting so that we can go away as a family. Big project stuff we will save for the school holidays...
As Workawayers will be alone on the property much of the time, it is essential that you have your own vehicle.
The accommodation is a warm self contained flat (with a very high pressure shower), however we expect Workawayers to integrate into family life as much as possible. Obviously being good with kids and animals is a must!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Nature
Camping
Winter sports
Mountain
Outdoor activities
Adventure sports
Gardening
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Animals
Farming
Sustainability
Pets
Van life
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As a family we are extremely well travelled (47 countries in 2018/2019) and love meeting people from new (and old) countries. We would expect travellers to integrate into our family life, and maybe pass on a few good recipes!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
In school term time, keeping the property clean and tidy, light gardening, animal feeding, hanging out with the dog. School holidays and long weekends, bigger projects and house sitting so we can get away…
We are flexible about how your hours are used - as long as they get done, you can plan them around other activities.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a self contained flat for Workaway use, however occasionally we may need you to stay inside the main house (in the guest room). When the family is around, we will all eat together (we would love the opportunity to try new meals, but in general we will cook for you - unless you are especially talented in the kitchen of course!).
We are an omnivorous family, so vegan/vegetarian travellers won't really work for us - but we are open to the occasional plant based meal.
We bake our own bread so gluten intolerance is also a bit tricky for us to cater for. The entire property is served with wifi, inside and out, however mobile reception is not good unless in or near the main house (we have a signal booster, but it has limited range). We have just finished installing a new 11m saltwater, heated pool... obviously it won't be available in the winter months, but for half the year it's pretty good!
There is also a Concept2 rowing machine available for use for anyone that way inclined.
What else ...
West Melton is a rural town, located around 35 minutes from Central Christchurch by car, and there is a VERY basic bus service running from Rolleston (around 10 minutes drive to the bus stop). There is a winery 100m from our front gate. The airport is around a 20 minute drive. We are located about an hours drive from the major Canterbury skifields, and there is plenty of hiking (and fishing) in Canterbury. We are non-smoking, and would expect our Workawayers to be so as well. We enjoy good food, and probably a little too much beer and wine (we brew our own beer). A word of warning - like many rural properties in NZ, we have a problem with rabbits... this we control by occasionally hunting (and eating) them. The lambs and ducks on the property are processed on site periodically and are highly likely to appear on your plate, alongside hunted wild venison - If this bothers you, we may not be appropriate hosts! With bees, cats, a dog and lots of flowering trees on site, it is important that anyone suffering from allergies has the appropriate medication (and lets us know in advance). Given our location we require that Workawayers have their own transport. Experience has taught us that we aren't a good fit for people without their own vehicle...
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is a strong wifi signal covering the entire property, and we have an unlimited data package.
Space for parking camper vans
We have heaps of secure parking, and a very well equipped workshop. Having repeatedly fixed our Land Rover in very difficult conditions in Africa, Phil is also able to assist and/or offer advice on many mechanical issues.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Feedback (24)
The work: I gave a helping hand around the garden by manual work or also using power tools to keep the property in a nice shape over the winter. The work varies a lot and there is something to do for everyone. Some days were… read more
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The work: I gave a helping hand around the garden by manual work or also using power tools to keep the property in a nice shape over the winter. The work varies a lot and there is something to do for everyone. Some days were… read more
We would… read more
Phil is a great cooker! The meat from the lands was delicious. The whole family is very… read more
Thank you for having me!
We loved hearing about their travel adventures in Africa while having one of Phil's self brewed beers / cider and… read more
A lot of the work was weeding with a good podcast on enjoying the outdoors. The girls are delightful,… read more
Everything was perfect. Especially Phil's cooking and beer! And the private house we stayed in and the pool and chickens, ducks, cats and most of all, the GIRLS!
We loved to spend time with them in the pool, playing games or just chatting at dinner.
Job is… read more
Their home is set on a beautiful piece of land with a lot of nature to enjoy. I had my own flat to stay in which was super cozy and comfortable. The kids are super sweet and I had a lot of fun playing with them! Everybody was really great to talk to, they… read more
They introduced us into their family wonderfully and allowed us to live comfortably alongside them like as much as we wanted. They also provided us with a homely self-contained apartment to… read more
