Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
31
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
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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, mixed fruit and nut orchards and also three hectares of solar panels. 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
Host ref number: 812725531565
Feedback (16)
25 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Liana & Christopher)
Liana & Chris were great!
Fun to talk to, easy going and hard working. They both have a wealth of hands on experience & in two weeks the fruits of their labour were everywhere on the farm.
Trees were pruned, weeds killed, gardens tended, horse poop scooped, a house washed and a fence built! I'm probably forgetting half of the other things they… read more
Fun to talk to, easy going and hard working. They both have a wealth of hands on experience & in two weeks the fruits of their labour were everywhere on the farm.
Trees were pruned, weeds killed, gardens tended, horse poop scooped, a house washed and a fence built! I'm probably forgetting half of the other things they… read more
(Excellent
)
24 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Liana & Christopher) for host
Wow, what an incredible experience! All of the hard work and dedication to the farm and animals lived every day by Judy, Nigel and Merrin and all of the great companionship that they shared meant for a challenging workaway with a ton of learning and laughter built in. The farm is a special place and the people make it a home. If you want to get… read more
2 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Camille & Romain)
Camille & Romain were an absolute pleasure to host!
Great to chat with, hard working & cheerful.
Added bonus with Romain's professional arborist skills! They both helped with a bit of tree work during their stay & Romain gave me a couple of good pointers on technique.
I'm very happy to recommend them to other hosts.
Great to chat with, hard working & cheerful.
Added bonus with Romain's professional arborist skills! They both helped with a bit of tree work during their stay & Romain gave me a couple of good pointers on technique.
I'm very happy to recommend them to other hosts.
(Excellent
)
16 Jan 2025
Left by Workawayer (Camille & Romain) for host
We spent two weeks at the farm and had a great time there. The place is really peaceful and Merrin, Nigel and Judy welcomed us warmly. We worked on mornings helping feeding the animals then helping on different things on the farm (splitting wood, weed control,…) Everything is just as described cute pigs and nice people.
We definitely recommend… read more
We definitely recommend… read more
12 Jul 2024
Left by Workawayer (Thomas & Alice) for host
Nigel, Merrin, and Judy were wonderful hosts during our stay at Waitangi Farm! This was our first workaway and our first home in New Zealand and they made us feel very welcome.
The farm is a wonderful place to stay, and we were lucky to arrive in April when the fruit trees and gardens were in full display (this meant we also got involved with… read more
The farm is a wonderful place to stay, and we were lucky to arrive in April when the fruit trees and gardens were in full display (this meant we also got involved with… read more
5 Jul 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas & Alice)
Thomas and Alice were great! Super engaged, friendly, thoughtful, hard working and relentlessly cheerful - can't ask more than that.
They also arrived in April and stuck around until June, despite all the weeds we made them kill, BONUS!
Honestly, you can't go wrong. We were even gifted lovely watercolour illustrations of our pigs, dog and farm… read more
They also arrived in April and stuck around until June, despite all the weeds we made them kill, BONUS!
Honestly, you can't go wrong. We were even gifted lovely watercolour illustrations of our pigs, dog and farm… read more
(Excellent
)
Photos
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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
25 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Liana & Christopher)
Liana & Chris were great!
Fun to talk to, easy going and hard working. They both have a wealth of hands on experience & in two weeks the fruits of their labour were everywhere on the farm.
Trees were pruned, weeds killed, gardens tended, horse poop scooped, a house washed and a fence built! I'm probably forgetting half of the other things they… read more
Fun to talk to, easy going and hard working. They both have a wealth of hands on experience & in two weeks the fruits of their labour were everywhere on the farm.
Trees were pruned, weeds killed, gardens tended, horse poop scooped, a house washed and a fence built! I'm probably forgetting half of the other things they… read more
(Excellent)
24 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer (Liana & Christopher) for host
Wow, what an incredible experience! All of the hard work and dedication to the farm and animals lived every day by Judy, Nigel and Merrin and all of the great companionship that they shared meant for a challenging workaway with a ton of learning and laughter built in. The farm is a special place and the people make it a home. If you want to get… read more
2 Feb 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Camille & Romain)
Camille & Romain were an absolute pleasure to host!
Great to chat with, hard working & cheerful.
Added bonus with Romain's professional arborist skills! They both helped with a bit of tree work during their stay & Romain gave me a couple of good pointers on technique.
I'm very happy to recommend them to other hosts.
Great to chat with, hard working & cheerful.
Added bonus with Romain's professional arborist skills! They both helped with a bit of tree work during their stay & Romain gave me a couple of good pointers on technique.
I'm very happy to recommend them to other hosts.
(Excellent)
16 Jan 2025
Left by Workawayer (Camille & Romain) for host
We spent two weeks at the farm and had a great time there. The place is really peaceful and Merrin, Nigel and Judy welcomed us warmly. We worked on mornings helping feeding the animals then helping on different things on the farm (splitting wood, weed control,…) Everything is just as described cute pigs and nice people.
We definitely recommend… read more
We definitely recommend… read more
12 Jul 2024
Left by Workawayer (Thomas & Alice) for host
Nigel, Merrin, and Judy were wonderful hosts during our stay at Waitangi Farm! This was our first workaway and our first home in New Zealand and they made us feel very welcome.
The farm is a wonderful place to stay, and we were lucky to arrive in April when the fruit trees and gardens were in full display (this meant we also got involved with… read more
The farm is a wonderful place to stay, and we were lucky to arrive in April when the fruit trees and gardens were in full display (this meant we also got involved with… read more
5 Jul 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas & Alice)
Thomas and Alice were great! Super engaged, friendly, thoughtful, hard working and relentlessly cheerful - can't ask more than that.
They also arrived in April and stuck around until June, despite all the weeds we made them kill, BONUS!
Honestly, you can't go wrong. We were even gifted lovely watercolour illustrations of our pigs, dog and farm… read more
They also arrived in April and stuck around until June, despite all the weeds we made them kill, BONUS!
Honestly, you can't go wrong. We were even gifted lovely watercolour illustrations of our pigs, dog and farm… read more
(Excellent)
9 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Julien & Alice) for host
You sent
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
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
8 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Julien & Alice)
Julien and Alice were a fantastic team. An absolute sweetheart couple and a pleasure to host. They stayed with us for 3 weeks and worked hard with a great attitude, were tidy, considerate, interesting and interested. Highly recommended :)
(Excellent)
26 Dec 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Andrea & Marco)
Marco and Andrea were fantastic to host! They came for 3 weeks and stayed for 5 - helping out around the farm with enthusiasm. Great fun to talk to, vibrant, cheerful and hard working. Double thumbs up, you'll hope they never leave 😁
(Excellent)
12 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Andrea & Marco) for host
Hi everyone, we had a wonderful experience here on Nigel, Judy & Merrin's farm. The place is very beautiful and the accommodation is fantastic, a cottage of your own with all your privacy.
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
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
20 Jun 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucie & Kristian)
These guys! Five stars, absolute legends.
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
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
(Excellent)
12 Jun 2023
Left by Workawayer (Lucie & Kristian) for host
What a lovely place to start your New Zealand adventure. Its a great starting point, not in big city, just on the outskirts of Auckland, you will get a beautiful cottage just in the middle of farm, next to Judy’s house. We had a great time on the farm, most of the days we started by feeding animals with Nigel or Merrin and that is feeding all the… read more
14 Apr 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Bennett)
Bennett and Lilly were a pleasure to host. Considerate, interesting and interested, their banter game is strong!
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
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
(Very good)
27 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer (Bennett) for host
Staying with Nigel, Merrin and Judy was a perfect first Workaway experience. The farm was absolutley beautiful and had loads to offer. The work itself was varried which helped us see different aspects into farm life. The cottage was lovely and left nothing more to want. In our freetime we never got bored and we felt very accomodated to our… read more
11 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Jan & Agata)
Jan & Agata stretched their two week stay with us out to five weeks, which was a very welcome extension.
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
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
(Excellent)
10 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Jan & Agata) for host
This was our first experience with workaway and New Zealanders and it just couldn't be better! We had a private cottage for ourselves with all the accessories you need , garden full of vegetables and fruits, couple times a week we got homemade meat. We were invited every week for a family dinner and the meal was so delicious every time. After… read more
21 Oct 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Emily & Emily)
Unfortunately for us we only received one half of the Emily x Emily experience, with Emily II busy in Auckland working at a veterinarians.
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
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
(Excellent)
17 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Emily & Emily) for host
I stayed at Judy, Merrin & Nigels farm for 3 weeks. I instantly felt welcomed and was invited for a meal at Judy's a couple of times. I was given food from the garden and meat from the farm which was all delicious. All very knowledgeable about what they do. I was given a range of jobs to do which was good. The cottage was cosy place to settle in
8 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Carolyn)
Carolyn's a veteran workawayer and it definitely shows.
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
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
(Excellent)
7 Jul 2022
Left by Workawayer (Carolyn) for host
If you want fresh, seasonal food, this is the place! Judy's garden and orchard provided a wide range of fruits and vegetables, she was occasionally able to give me eggs and farmed meat, and Nigel donated some game he'd shot (rabbit, hare, peacock). This is the most productive place I've been in 5.5 years.
You'll need to eat well as the work is… read more
You'll need to eat well as the work is… read more
27 Jun 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Jonathan)
Jon & Estelle were a pleasure to host. They only stayed with us for a week and what a wet week it was!
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
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
(Excellent)
26 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Jonathan) for host
We stayed at Judy, Nigel and Merrin's farm for a week and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. The work was challenging especially in the rain, but Nigel was fair and made sure to give us a variety of tasks during our stay. Judy was very generous allowing us to harvest our own fruit and veg from the farm and the cottage was comfortable and warm.… read more
29 Jun 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna & Michal)
Anna and Michal were great, full of energy, friendly and hard working.
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!
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!
(Excellent)
29 Jun 2020
Left by Workawayer (Anna & Michal) for host
This was our first contact with New Zealand. Wonderful hosts, comfortable cottage, a lots of animals (the best Kunekune pigs!) and subtropical fruits. We would like to live forever on this farm. Near the most beautiful, black beach we met in NZ. Wonderful time and memories - thank You!
21 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas & Sina)
Tom and Sina were a pleasure to host.
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
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
(Excellent)
7 Apr 2020
Left by Workawayer (Thomas & Sina) for host
We stayed at the lovely farm for two weeks and so far this was the most challenging but therefore most varied and fulfilling workaway experience we’ve had! We had our own super cozy and beautiful cottage with really everything you could ask for! We worked 4 hours a day, 5 days per week. From weeding in the garden, feeding all the lovely animals,… read more
25 Feb 2020
Left by Workawayer (JustineetEmeric) for host
We totally had a blast staying at Judy, Merrin and Nigel. Always so warm, helpful, cheerful and smiley,…those guys are definitely the ‘KIULest'!!
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
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
26 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (David & Gesa) for host
It was a wonderful time staying at the farm with Judy, Nigel and Merrin. It was our first workaway experience and we are so glad that we had you! Very helpful, friendly and open minded people. If we had time, we would always come again:)
11 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (David & Gesa)
David and Gesa were a pleasure to host. They stayed with us for three weeks, worked hard and we're always cheerful and enthusiastic.
Always thoughtful and considerate, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Always thoughtful and considerate, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
(Excellent)
21 Oct 2019
Left by Workawayer (Katharina & Marco) for host
Working on Nigels farm was a real nice experience! We spent there two weeks and had the chance to have a close look into the farming and landscaping work. Living on the "cottage" makes a holiday feeling aside working. I would highly recommended to go there, help out and spend a good time with the animals, and the lovely family
greets to all!
greets to all!
14 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Katharina & Marco)
Katharina & Marco were friendly, enthusiastic and considerate during their two week stay with us. They worked hard and were a pleasure to host.
(Excellent)
