Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Mar 2025
Reply rate
96.4 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
17
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi we live in Northland on the Kaipara Harbour with a 40 acres of lifestyle property, with bush and water views. The main communal area is an old Chapel and the name of our Olive grove. We raise cattle and sheep, have cats dogs and poultry and usually have various litters of rescued animals. Both my husband and I live & work on the property when we are not away with our other jobs. I (Ruth) work part time as a vet nurse and Mark a project manager in Bahrain on rotation. We have lived here 8 years and still busy planting the water ways, pruning trees, harvesting , weeding, painting, managing stock and raising rescues.
We love where we live, never have enough time for the projects on hand but feel it important to enjoy the sunsets with good company and food. We have great spot for those that enjoy nature, or those good with a paint brush. Must like animals is a must and respect it is a non smoking drug free house inside.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Depending on the season the neighbourhood has different crops we share. From fishing in the Kaipara harbours, to picking grapes and olives We can show the process of making olive oil, mixing with stock and raising rescued kittens/puppies/ calves/lambs depending on season. We live in the Middle East for 25 years and have travelled ourselves, so understand the importance of getting the most out of a visit.Our Neighbours are French, German, English as well as Kiwis and most weekends we get together to share dinners.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Depending on the season we need help with moving animals from paddocks, our animals are calm used to being walked without dogs or bikes. We do the hands on treatments such as drenching but support is great to have around.
The olive grove is recovering from the cyclone, many dead trees need pruning or collecting the cleared wood. one of our neighbours is trailing turning Ilive wood to charcoal while others collect and use it for pizza ovens. Weeding flower beds, driveways or thistling paddocks a constant chore. We share our firewood with those that need it or put it to a good use.
Olive harvest is around late April, May and June. We have a great group of friends that help us and this is a big social time as well as learning the process of making Olive Oil.
Socialising of kittens and puppies as well as company and exercise for the adult dogs on property.
General household chores like windows or those with a talent in DIY could help with painting or repairing plaster board etc
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis 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
We can offer a mezzanine bedroom with skylight to watch the stars at night in the chapel and a bedroom in the family wing if heights are not your thing. We have two bathrooms in the house, we are on tank water which is filtered. We have a Tv area just off the kitchen but most time is spent out on the decks to enjoy the views and soak up the fresh air and sun.
I am a coeliac (gluten free) so we eat healthy fresh food with local produce,fish and meat. We take it in turns to cook, bbq a lot and regularly share meals with our neighbours.
What else ...
We have kayaks you can go out in off the edge of the property, the local beach is ten minutes away. The East coast is 40 minutes which has the best beaches. There is bush walks, museums and a few local shops. We can lend a car to a confident licensed driver to visit the local area or drop you to see things of interest in your afternoons off. There is not much public transport to speak of in this area.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We are signed up with Starlink so have unlimited consistently good internet
Space for parking camper vans
We are a lifestyle property so there is some cool places to park up for more privacy or different views as well as by the house or garage for power
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
I was even shown a particularly excellent tree, a hidden gem for… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
I was even shown a particularly excellent tree, a hidden gem for… read more
We would highly recommend Mark and Ruth as hosts 😃
We felt super comfortable from the get go, and even got to meet other Workaways.
The Chapel is an animal lovers dream, lots of doggo and cat cuddles!
We'd highly recommend Ruth and Mark as hosts, great people 👍
Coming from a city state, my family has no farm experience, and my 2 young boys can be quite… read more
Ruth and her family have truly turned a house into a home in their beautiful slice of paradise! I arrived in late August (late winter time) but the weather for me was cool and perfect, during my stay the work consisted of moving cows and sheep to… read more
It was very cool and interesting to help in the olives harvest and we learnt a lot of things!
We definitely will miss this beautiful… read more
