Explore the tiny town of Otautau, in New Zealand's beautiful Southland

Details

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  Description

  We can only host non-smokers! One week is ideal to stay at our place, usually, BUT…..right now I am looking for someone to housesit for a month. If you are available for that, then feeding 4 cats and cleaning the litter tray daily is all the work that we require. We will leave a well-stocked pantry and fridge which you can help yourself to but we would expect you to generally fund your own meals.
  
  Generally we can only host one person at a time as we only have a single day-bed available for you.
  
  We need all sorts of things done - if you can handle a drill you are especially welcome! The garden needs attention: pruning, digging, planting. The fence needs painting.
  
  I'm Jo and live with my daughter, Chantelle, in a cute little cottage in the adorable town of Otautau. We fostered unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens and when we decided to leave Australia we brought the cats that nobody wanted with us! If you have allergies I would not recommend that you stay with us.
  
  I worked at a University in Australia but am now retired and Chantelle is an editor and works from home.
  
  We are 40 minutes north of Invercargill and 2 hours from Queenstown. We are new to the area and we like to get out and explore every chance we get and we'd be happy to take you with us.
  
  We can only host non-smokers!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We can help you with your English and share our knowledge of Australia and New Zealand. If you are planning a trip to Australia and can tell you about amazing places to visit that you won't find in the tourist brochures.

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  Help

  If you know how to use a drill we'd especially like to hear from you! We need shelving erected and other maintenance jobs done around the house.
  
  We would be delighted if you can spend a week with us helping with gardening - pruning, digging, planting, fertilising and clearing fallen branches.
  
  We would expect just 3 hours of fast and efficient help a day so that you have plenty of time to explore the area and have fun. We would not expect you to work the day of your arrival or the day of your departure, other than to make up your bed on arrival and to put your bedding into the washing machine on the day you leave.
  
  In return for just three hours of help we will provide you with a fold-out bed in the study, breakfast and dinner. It would be great if you can also help with cooking and cleaning up after yourself.
  
  We would expect that you would be out and about exploring during the day and would take care of your own lunch but if you are home you can help yourself, or make lunch for us all, or we'll make lunch for you!
  
  We are meat-eaters and are happy to try and cater for vegetarians and vegans, as long as you don't judge us - we've been judged for our choices before and it is a bit uncomfortable. :) If meat-eaters offend you please try to find a vegetarian / vegan family with whom to stay.
  
  Non-smokers only, please. This is a deal-breaker...even if you are a builder!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  We can offer a comfortable fold-out bed in the study. We are happy to share our humble home with you - including the bathroom! We have just bought a 94 year old cottage in a quiet but very friendly town. We have a good range of movies, books and music to help make your stay enjoyable...although all in English. We have a lovely fireplace and an endless supply of marshmallows.
  
  This is not our forever home and there are many boxes storing our belongings in the house. We are still getting organised and maybe that is something you can help us with!
  
  AND you can see the Aurora from Otautau. :)

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  What else ...

  We are keen to host travellers who like to go out and explore during the day. This gives us our space and down-time that we need but if we are going exploring we can take you with us!
  
  We are a 7 minute walk to the centre of town.
  
  If you can spend three hours a day helping out, and working on your own with minimal instruction at times, and do a good job that you are proud of, we would love to hear from you!
  
  Hours are negotiable...I am sure we can work something out so that we all get something positive out of this experience.

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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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  Can possibly accept pets

  Well trained pets welcome. We have 4 cats and a dog.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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