Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Nov 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
46
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
We live on a small farm and raise sheep and cattle. We are within walking distance of Fairlie population approx 800 (which is near Tekapo/Mt Cook/Timaru/Geraldine). We are near a Christian church, swimming pool (seasonal), library and some shops. We also have 2 horses, 10 dogs (they help with the sheep), 4 cats (who all come inside) & birds (canaries in an outaide aviary). Kevin is a fly fishing guide seven months of the year as well as farming and Jodi works a couple of jobs from home as well as farming so Jodi could use a hand with general farm work, maintenance, painting, building, gardening, housework, cooking, etc. Help hours and days are very flexible and we also need guests who are flexible and easy going. Just saying the following as we recently had an older couple who only stayed one night as they didnt know that farm life is different than city life... there is dirt, flies/bugs, noise, pollen, animal poo in the fields, dogs eat bones, etc. If you havent been on a farm, these are some things to expect. Not just on our farm, but most farms. Farming is an important part of life in New Zealand and while you are with us you will have a variety of experiences . Depending on the time of year, there may be baby animals to feed which is a bonus. Bicycles may be available to explore. Jodi is American and Kevin a Kiwi. We have two children who have now left home. Our daughter Kelty was born in 2005 and lives in Christchurch. Our son Alex was born in 2001 and lives in America. Its a bit quiet for us and we love to have visitors! Many of our workaways leave as forever family...and some even circle back and stay with us again...or bring their parents to meet us. If NZ farm life is something you would like to experience, and you are flexible and easy going, we'd love to hear from you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Books
Animals
Pets
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Kiwi & American cultural mix... multiple types of animals and general farm life expenses so plenty of scope to learn.
Help
We could use a hand with general farm tasks, home/general maintenance, gardening, housework, cooking, everyday life, etc. It's always changing. We will sometimes go and help others with gardening/cleaning if there is a need in the community. Communication is key... Our lifestyle isn't routine which means we can be flexible with hours and days around what you want to do, the weather, etc. and we value travellers who are also flexible with our changeable lifestyle. We have a list of jobs and projects and appreciate motivated helpers who just jump right in and get involved...if theres nothing organized, you can do something on the list or just notice what needs doing. Workawayers need to be willing to learn about farm/rural life. We have lots of animals, inside cats and a varied schedule every day. Farms have smells, sights and noise. Workawayers who go to farms need to be willing to adjust and adapt. It makes an awkward situation on both sides if helpers come expecting quiet, clean suburbia and dont stay. In all of our years hosting (since 2019), we've only had one couple unprepared. Everyone else has enjoyed their time with the animals etc
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
When you arrive, you become family. We want you to be comfortable and feel at home. You will have a private room in the main house with a shared bathroom. Unlimited wifi. Food provided. Self serve breakfast, lunch and snacks, with dinner prepared or sometimes Workawayers might prepare dinner (help is always appreciated with preparation and clean up). Just pitch in. We often eat late due to our work schedule so usually have late starts...after 8.
What else ...
It is only one km to the main street of Fairlie (home of the world famous Fairlie Bakehouse). There are nearby walks and a lake, also Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook, Timaru and Geraldine are not too far away. The main tourist route between Christchurch and Queenstown runs through Fairlie so driving or catching the Intercity bus is easy.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have unlimited internet, not fibre, but fast enough to stream, etc.
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of room, including an outside campervan electric plug.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Many sheep and a pet cow
Many canaries
We have 4 cats!
Barley and Dallas
We have 9 dogs!
They are pets who also work on the farm
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (21)
Jodie is the loveliest person and will make you feel right at home and a member of the family.
Very beautiful small quaint town on the South Island, only 5 minute walk from the farm.
Jodie is very flexible with work hours and was extremely grateful for any help.… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Jodie is the loveliest person and will make you feel right at home and a member of the family.
Very beautiful small quaint town on the South Island, only 5 minute walk from the farm.
Jodie is very flexible with work hours and was extremely grateful for any help.… read more
Jodi cooks really well, we discovered a lot of recipes, each of them delicious. We also discovered a part of the sheep farm life… read more
I spend Christmas with them and we had a great time. It was so nice to be with them because it made me miss my own family less.
The jobs were varied, interesting and always doable. I enjoyed working outside and helping out… read more
While… read more
It's great because our work was really varied: washing windows, gardening, restoring the terrace, cleaning kennels, helping with a move, housework...
It's nice to see that Jodi is really invested in her community. More than once, we've found ourselves helping someone in the village who… read more
The work is varied and bearable, with several days off a week. You can learn a lot about life on farms and the farmers' event that they organize… read more
It was nice to be surrounded by so many animals and such beautiful nature in the small town Fairlie.
The work we did was super varied, flexible and totally fair. It ranged from cleaning and painting a fence, stacking wood, small household chores to… read more
