New Zealand
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We are a family of 4 (two girls aged 9 and 11), recently returned to NZ after 16 years in the UK - now home 2 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 working towards being as self sufficient as possible, raising our own animals and crops as much as possible.. it's an ongoing project! We have a self contained studio flat for Workawayers on the property, however we would expect Workawayers to integrate into family life as much as possible. Obviously being good with kids and animals is a must!
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
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!
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
We are slowly knocking the property into shape, so there is always work helping set up gardens, weeding, general garden maintenance, animal feeding, household domestic tasks, cooking the odd meal as well as some childminding of two young girls... and there is generally a project of some description on the go. From time to time a little bit of house sitting would be fantastic, so we can get away with the kids (having animals to feed, there must always be someone here...). We have pigs, ducks, hens, meat chickens, sheep and quite a few bees - as well as two cats and a puppy who think they own the place. We are flexible about how your hours are used - as long as they get done, you can plan them around other activities.
English: Fluent
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).
West Melton is a rural town, located around 35 minutes from Central Christchurch by car, and there is a basic bus service running Monday to Friday. 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. 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).
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
There is a strong wifi signal covering the entire property, and we have an unlimited data package. There is a desk in the workaway accommodation, and a PC available as well if required.
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.
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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