Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
62
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Details
Description
I have previously been an artist in clay, textiles and graphics. I owned an art gallery for more than nine years, specialising in handmade New Zealand made works but now I concentrate on developing my neglected small holding.
I garden organically, growing some vegetables and fruit but planting support plants too.
I have travelled a little in Italy, Korea, Spain, Canada, UK and Australia and am interested in other cultures.
In my 50's I went to University for the first time and studied geology, gaining a BSc in 1997. Although I am now 80 years old, I am fit and active and most of my friends and associates are much younger. I am interested in interacting with many cultures.
Nine years ago I moved to Kaiwaka, Northland to a 3 acre block which needs a lot of work to develop further. So far I have planted many trees and perennials. For the last two years I have adopted Syntropic principles, a step further than permaculture which is about sustainability. Syntropy is about creating abundance and improving the degraded earth.
My dream is to gift my property to the community as a teaching centre and suitable plant propagation unit for Syntropic food forests.
Current accommodation is a double bed in a modern separate garage. Meals and bathroom facilities shared in the house. I hope to have better sleeping areas soon.
The help you will be asked to do can be quite physical and sometimes tedious as you would expect in a farm setting. Climate change sees us often out in light rain and strong winds so if you are averse to less than ideal weather perhaps you may consider that my place is not for you.Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are convinced that human beings cannot go on trashing the planet and we try to make a difference by being as self sufficient as we can. We minimise vehicle use; plan any purchasing trips to fit in with other needs such as visiting family or attending medical care. Those who have stayed and feel they have learned from us have posted feedback which gives a good picture of what exchange we can offer. I have many old skills, learned as I grew up on a back country farm miles from the nearest neighbours. Many of these skills such as butchering poultry for the table, cooking on a wood fire, looking after animals, making bread and various methods of food preservation have been lost by younger generations and I believe it is important to know these skills to be independent if there is a disaster or crisis.
Help
My 3 acre plot is mostly over run with Kikuyu grass but there are many fruit and other trees, some needing care. Work would mainly be preparing garden beds, digging holes for tree planting, clearing long grass, mowing (ride on mower and push mower, weed eater), making compost and general maintenance. Any one with building skills would be welcome to build animal shelters, shelving etc. Garden fencing is also needed.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: BeginnerThis 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.Accommodation
Accommodation is a modern double queen bed in a garage. Toilet facilities in the house.
My house is very small but modern. The village is about 5 minutes drive away with a specialist Dutch cheese shop/delicatessen and an unusual cafe`. This farming area has many attractive beaches and historic sites but there are no cities nearby. The nearest bank is about half an hour's drive from here and the only local ATM has a surcharge to use. I have a small dog which I have re-homed. She has some behavioural problems but is safe and getting better with kind treatment.What else ...
I supply all bedding and towels etc but would expect workers to bring their own soap, toothpaste, cosmetics etc. This is a non smoking household.
It is wise to bring a full range of clothing and stout footwear.
There are many beautiful places to visit locally if you have a car, beaches for swimming, fishing and surfing. Lots of small towns with great cafe's, museums and art galleries. Unfortunately the local roads are very busy with heavy traffic and are not safe to walk beside as there is no 'shoulder'.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
I have, previously had a 4 berth campervan parked near the house on a gravel driveway which is a bit tricky to negotiate for the inexperienced driver.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
3-4
Feedback (30)
They are caring, considerate people with whom I enjoyed many… read more
Both have great work ethic and were willing to tackle any of the suggested jobs, even sometimes in the rain. It was a… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
They are caring, considerate people with whom I enjoyed many… read more
Both have great work ethic and were willing to tackle any of the suggested jobs, even sometimes in the rain. It was a… read more
He is physically super fit, works hard and gives many hours more than requested.
He has a wide experience of the world and is generous in his opinions and understanding of the human… read more
Friendly, kind, trustworthy and very interesting. She's a kiwi from the South Island and has an incredible amount of stories and adventures to share with you.
It's been my honour to be helping her with gardening, fencing, chipping, etc.
I wanna thank her for teaching me how to work with clay… read more
He keeps in close contact with his family in Germany, so needs time in the mornings for this.
We achieved a lot for both of us. He helped me catch up on… read more
it's peaceful place
I learn a lot with Jill about gardening and I do some poterie Jill it's very patient and take time to explain everything
it was funny and great time
AND she cooks wonderfully
thanks for everything see you Jill ☀️😊
She is respectful, talented and knows how to work well. We carried out many tasks together, including removing a lot of topsoil from a gravel patch, clearing heavy Kikuyu for a new garden and cultivating it, digging a small drain and doing mechanical repairs on a lawnmower. Chika was always willing to help and saw what… read more
Both worked carefully and hard on agreed tasks and found good ways to solve problems.
I… read more
We helped her in the garden mainly and in the house.
Jill hosted us warmly, is a very good cook, paid attention to our needs considering food: thank you again for those delicious meals!
She shared her knowledge about permaculture with us and is… read more
It was a real pleasure to do different job everyday for her. She always try to make you happy in your job and after.
Jill is very knowledgeable and has some amazing stories to tell, each meal time was a pleasure to share conversation and she was also a delightful cook.
Charlotte had learn pottery and she… read more
We learned how to make… read more
Thank you so much for having us! :) you made our last workaway experience in New Zealand unforgettable :) we wish you all the best!
We spent two weeks doing many jobs ranging from cutting kikuyu grass with a petrol powered scrub bar, fixing telephone connection problems, taking a… read more
She is a very interesting person and has so many stories to tell. It's a big thing to start studying with 50 years and exploring the Antarctica. Also her son Steve was really friendly and we learned a lot about the history of New Zealand. Jessie, the family dog, is so lovely and spent a lot of time with us in… read more
We've got closer to know ourself too through the long discussions besides the dinner.
We can suggest to other workawayers to visit Jill's place to… read more
The weather was almost always good so that it was a plesure working in the garden and the orchard. Jill is a excellent… read more
The work is simple and straight forward and I never felt I was working as your with good company and in such a relaxed environment.
Jill is very sweet and really… read more
I spend a weeck in Kaiwaka, beatifull landscape, and i learn how to make compost, and asweell she teach me some curiosities about… read more
Both my son and I found her very willing to pull her… read more
The work was not difficult and it was very satisfying to see that my efforts were helping with the regeneration of… read more
I instantly felt a member of her family and got on really well with her son, Steve who was staying for a spell to help on the property.
Jill kept me well fed and was thoughtful and generous. The work was varied and… read more
Hope you will visit me in germany, jill ;)
Cheers
He is well mannered and a pleasure to host. He took the initiative to do extra jobs which he saw needed doing rather than standing… read more