Experience rural life surrounded by nature and beaches in Northland, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  Paul and I searched for ten years to find our stunning coastal site on which to build our dream home, recently completed in 2024 after four years of hard work. We still have a lot of work to do before the landscaping is looking as we envisage but we have completed our holiday accommodation (Ocean Vista Tutukaka) so we can share this beautiful slice of paradise with others and afford to drink good wine in our old age!
  
  We are located on the Tutukaka Coast, in the midst of a large block of covenanted bush, with wide views of the sea and the Poor Knights Islands. We have a number of picturesque safe swimming beaches nearby and plenty of interesting places to explore. It's a quiet and peaceful life out here, with amazing dark starry night skies and only the sound of birds and the sea when it is stormy. We love it and any nature lover will do too. Previous travellers have loved being able to swim, surf, run around the farm or do the many local walks available.
  
  We enjoy gardening and have an ambitious plan for our large area plus I grow organic vegetables and herbs and enjoy cooking in my new kitchen... my happy place! Paul is always outside doing something but we have both hurt our backs this year so I decided hosting a young man with a stronger back might be helpful (our Osteopath agrees....lol) and give our backs a break!
  
  I used to host Woofers on our family farm when my children were young so they got to meet people from all over the world and those people got to experience life on a remote NZ farm. This has proven to be a fun way to introduce foreigners to our Kiwi way of life and in return, helps us out, for which we are grateful.
  
  We are open to offers of help (mostly landscaping and gardening) in return for accommodation and meals and whilst flexible, have found one day on, one day off is a good way for you to get more exploring done in your time off. This is suitable for a single male (because the jobs Paul needs help with are heavy manual work mostly, such as digging and lifting etc) and you will need your own transport as we are about thirty five minutes from Whangarei and to explore our local area requires a vehicle. You will have your own bedroom and ensuite in the guest wing of our new home. We really don't have enough work to host a couple sorry.
  
  Feel free to reach out and contact us and if we don't have friends or other guests already staying then we may be able to host you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Whilst we don't speak other languages Paul does understand some Dutch (his parents immigrated to NZ in the 1950s) and we are both semi retired business professionals. We aspired to a less stressful and healthy life and our location offers that, with a relaxed beach lifestyle surrounded by nature and animals rather than lots of people. Paul has a lot of DIY skills to pass on and I enjoy showing people how to cook and garden and of course the conversation is always interesting, even with language misunderstandings!

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  Help

  Mostly outdoor jobs such as landscaping, gardening and using power tools, You would be working with Paul a lot of the time and may even learn some new skills.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are very happy to help you improve your English.
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  Accommodation

  Your own bedroom and bathroom so plenty of space for privacy and quiet time.
  We have a swimming pool (gotta be brave in Winter!) table tennis table, listen to music and really only watch TV on cosy Winter nights by the fire.
  There are several lovely swimming and surf beaches nearby as well as walking tracks.
  We have spectacular views with barely a house in sight.
  I do most of the cooking but I'm always happy when someone offers to cook. :-)

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  What else ...

  No smoking or vaping please.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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