Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
25
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
The three of us, Nigel, Merrin and Judy run a small family farm 45 minutes south of Auckland city. The farm takes its name from the Waitangi stream that runs along our Southern boundary. Designed around a permaculture ethos, we run beef cattle & pigs in addition to mixed fruit and nut orchards. We have a remnant block of native lowland forest which we are continuing to expand & restore. We also have a horse, a dog, a cat & a bunch of chickens.
Please note we're only able to host couples. Unfortunately, due to the lack of public transport, having your own vehicle is a must. We can cater to vegetarians/vegans, but due to the nature of our farm, omnivorous guests will feel more at home.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will experience rural life in New Zealand with the opportunity to learn about New Zealand’s unique native vegetation and ecosystems from our very own resident ecologist - Merrin has her doctorate and works as an ecological consultant to the rural sector.
Help
There are a range of jobs to be done on the farm, from feeding the animals to fruit picking, weed grubbing, tree pruning and small carpentry projects. We're in planting season over winter, to regenerate areas into native bush. Spring and summer there's work clearing around the young native trees & autumn is harvest time.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Self-contained 40sqm studio cottage complete with kitchen, fridge, bathroom, washing machine, fireplace, wi-fi, TV & Bluetooth stereo. Food will be provided for your own preparation (from the farm where possible) with the opportunity to join us for shared meals during your stay.
What else ...
Our location is a rural setting conveniently located 5 minutes from Waiuku township and 45 minutes from Auckland. In addition, we’re 15 minutes from the stunning West Coast beach of Karioitahi, at the gateway to the Awhitu Peninsula and only 3km from the lovely Waitangi Falls. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway runs down our eastern boundary and you can often see the steam train chuffing its way past with a compliment of tourists. During harvest season we press our own cider and there’s always the company of friendly pigs who enjoy a good scratch.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have uncapped broadband, but only 10mb/s ADSL
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (13)
Julien and I spent three wonderful weeks at Nigel, Merrin and Judy’s farm in February 2024. It was our first Workaway upon arrival in New Zealand.
The farm is truly a little slice of paradise in the summer. It’s is lush with vegetation and a plethora of different fruit trees: we truly marvelled at the beauty of the farm on a daily… read more
The farm is not far from a beautiful beach with black sand where you can go for walks or drive by car. Not far away there is also an old steam train, I… read more
Super friendly, courteous & hard working, I really couldn't fault them.
All three of us enjoyed hosting Lucie & Kristian. We managed to hold onto them for a few more days past their planned leaving date, but not for nearly as long as we would have liked them to stay.
Go well my friends, I hope you enjoy… read more
Feedback
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Julien and I spent three wonderful weeks at Nigel, Merrin and Judy’s farm in February 2024. It was our first Workaway upon arrival in New Zealand.
The farm is truly a little slice of paradise in the summer. It’s is lush with vegetation and a plethora of different fruit trees: we truly marvelled at the beauty of the farm on a daily… read more
The farm is not far from a beautiful beach with black sand where you can go for walks or drive by car. Not far away there is also an old steam train, I… read more
Super friendly, courteous & hard working, I really couldn't fault them.
All three of us enjoyed hosting Lucie & Kristian. We managed to hold onto them for a few more days past their planned leaving date, but not for nearly as long as we would have liked them to stay.
Go well my friends, I hope you enjoy… read more
They stayed with us for a couple of weeks, helping out with everything from apple picking to gardening and weed control in our restoration areas. Although I wouldn't fault their attitude - I'll have to admit (sorry guys), they don't… read more
Super friendly and good natured, we all got on well and enjoyed our time together. They were both conscientious, fast learning and meticulous, paying close attention to the jobs I gave them and remembering instructions well.
The first dinner we… read more
Emily was fantastic though, it was great having a farm girl stay with us who knew the ropes & mucked in straight away.
Friendly & pragmatic we also enjoyed learning about her family sheep farm outside of… read more
She stayed with us for two months and was a pleasure to host. Super considerate and hard working, she's had a wealth of experience and took the initiative wherever she could to get work done to an impeccable standard. She almost single handedly planted all our native trees this season - a… read more
You'll need to eat well as the work is… read more
Despite the torrential rain, they dug in (sometimes literally) helping us with farm maintenance, clearing weeds and planting up native trees.
Friendly and engaging, hard working, tidy, thoughtful and conscientious, my only criticism is that they… read more
They also like to walk, a lot! We were impressed with their 30km hikes around the surrounding area.
It was nice as we were working together to hear Michal's memories of growing up on his grandfather's farm.
All in all, a lovely couple you won't regret hosting!
Super cheerful and hard working, they loved helping feed out to the animals and Sina fell in love with our South Devon cattle :) Both of them are fit and strong & happy to get stuck in with things.
Wishing them all the best for the rest of their stay in NZ, they left shortly before the COVID lockdown and were… read more
Only 3 weeks there and we already felt like a part of the family.
The cottage is awesome as well, really comfy and well furnished ; the whole farm is wonderful, full of fruit trees, herbs and… read more
Always thoughtful and considerate, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
greets to all!
