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Description
Hi, we’re Grant and Sue.
We live on five beautiful acres in a very special part of New Zealand, where the Graham River wraps around our log house. It’s peaceful, green and full of birds and bees. The Able Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks are close by.
Our two Samoyeds, Nauve and Pepi, are very much part of the family (and yes… probably our substitute grandchildren now that our kids are grown and living in Australia!).
Grant loves being outdoors and working on the land — doing the wood, gardening, and caring for animals and the property. Sue works in leadership development, and together we host private retreats from time to time. We’re grounded, easy-going people who enjoy good conversation, shared meals and a bit of laughter.
We also have a bach in Golden Bay, just a two-minute walk from the beach. It’s a relaxed coastal spot with plenty of space, including a comfortable sleepout for guests. From time to time, we’d really value help there as well — mainly gardening and light maintenance. Golden Bay is a very special part of NZ, with stunning beaches, national parks and a laid-back vibe.
This isn’t a commercial property, just our home and land that we care about and enjoy. We’re looking for someone who appreciates nature, doesn’t mind physical work, and is happy to pitch in and be part of everyday life here.
In return, you’ll have a cosy place to stay, home-cooked food, beach, river and mountain walks on the doorstep, and the chance to experience both a peaceful riverside setting and beautiful Golden Bay.
If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear from you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Pets
Movies & TV
Self development
Farming
Gardening
Astronomy
Animals
Water sports
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Fitness
Mountain
Beach
Cycling
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We value genuine connection and the simple exchange that comes from sharing everyday life together.
Shared meals, conversations about where you’ve travelled and what life is like in your part of the world, and experiencing rural New Zealand living. We’re always interested in hearing people’s stories and perspectives.
Grant has a deep connection with nature, and much of life here revolves around the land, the river and outdoor living. Sue works in leadership development, so conversations sometimes touch on growth and life direction, in a relaxed, natural way.
Mostly, it’s about mutual respect, openness and enjoying time together in a beautiful environment.
Help
What we need help with - mostly outdoor bits and pieces like:
* Stacking firewood
* Gardening
* Painting and general property upkeep
* Seasonal outdoor tasks that come up
Helping with us as we tidy the garden, prune the trees and cut and stack the firewood. Grant is a wizard in the garden and we'd love to share skills, experience and knowledge in the space of growing as grounded, connected, conscious human beings.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
When staying with us at the farm, you’ll have your own private queen-sized guest room inside our log home. It’s warm, cosy and comfortable. All linen and towels are provided.
If we’re spending time at our Golden Bay place, you’ll stay in a large, comfortable sleepout with plenty of space and privacy. The bach is just a two-minute walk from the beach, so ocean swims are close by.
We eat healthy, mostly unprocessed food — simple, homestyle cooking. Think good NZ lamb, fresh eggs, local milk and butter, snapper that Grant has caught, and fruit and vegetables from the garden in summer. We enjoy shared meals but keep things relaxed. Happy for you to do your own thing.
At the farm, the river surrounds the house, so a cold plunge or swim (depending on the season!) is only a minute away. There are five acres to wander, sit quietly, read, meditate or just enjoy being outdoors. There’s plenty of space to breathe.
We do have WiFi, of course. We’re generally early to bed — usually around 9pm — as life here tends to follow the rhythm of the land.
On the farm we are 25 minutes and in Golden Bay we are about 10 mintues away from the closet shop.
What else ...
We’re located in a stunning part of the South Island, close to both the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks. Kaiteriteri Beach is nearby, along with pristine rivers, swimming holes and beautiful native bush walks just minutes from our home. It’s a great base if you enjoy hiking, swimming and exploring nature.
There are lovely trees and open spaces on the property to relax, read or just enjoy being outdoors.
Because we’re in a rural area, having your own vehicle is ideal. However, we’re happy to arrange pick-up from Nelson or Motueka if needed.
We have a strictly no-smoking home and property.
We don’t drink alcohol ourselves and don’t provide it, but you’re welcome to enjoy a drink if you choose to.
You’ll also need to be comfortable around dogs — our two Samoyeds are very friendly and absolutely love attention.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fast Starlink statelite internet on the farm and limited internet at Golden Bay.
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space for campers / motorhomes on the farm and depending on the size of the van we can accommodate at Golden Bay.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Nauve Pepi
Two playful Samoyeds
Photos
