Profile information

Host rating
100 %

Last replied
7 Jan 2026

Reply rate
100.0 %

Feedback
63

Email verified
Badges (3)




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Details

Description
Welcome to our place in the Canterbury foothills!
We’re a family living on a lifestyle block about 60 km from Christchurch, close to the main highway that links the city to the West Coast. Our home is surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers, and walking tracks, and we’re only about 30 minutes from the nearest ski field—perfect for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
We have three older children: our eldest has already left home, and the younger two are usually here only on weekends. Half of our property is planted in mature native trees, and we also have sheep, some chickens and two dogs. We once had a thriving vegetable garden, though at the moment it’s looking a bit neglected and needs some attention.
As a family, we really enjoy meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Hosting through Workaway has been an amazing experience for us—we’ve met wonderful people from all over the world and made lasting friendships. It’s also a great way for our children to see how diverse the world is and how differently people live.
We’re excited to continue welcoming travellers, sharing our little corner of New Zealand, and learning from the people who come to stay with us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Rob and Susan
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance

Interests
PetsFarmingPlant careDIY & craftsCooking & foodGardeningAnimalsOutdoor activities
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
By becoming part of our family you will get an insight into country family life in New Zealand. We live in a place with spectacular views and a fantastic climate. Well worth a visit if you are not afraid of a little work.

Help
We’re looking for people who are happy to get involved in a variety of tasks around our lifestyle block. The main areas we need help with are:
- Weed control in our native planting area - this includes removal of gorse, broom and other invasive plants and keeping tracks clear within our mature native tree block
- General maintenance and small building projects – depending on your skills and confidence.
- Gardening - mainly helping to make our vege garden productive again.
- Everyday household help – assisting with preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. We work as a team here, and we expect visitors to become part of our family and join in with daily life.
We value people who are willing to pitch in, try new things, and enjoy being part of a relaxed, friendly home.
Most of the work is more physical in nature and will require and good level of fitness.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent

Accommodation
We have a caravan available which two double beds and is self-contained. However, full access to amenities within the house will also be provided.

What else ...
We are happy to help others learn English and would be interested in learning other languages and about other cultures.
We would prefer a non-smoker, any smoking would have to be outside.
A little more information

Internet access

Limited internet access

We have pets

We are smokers

Can host families

Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.

How many Workawayers can stay?
Two

My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (30)
I did weeding, houshold chores and tried to help Rob whenever he needed a hand.
Therefore, I was treated as a family member and got an inside into life in this stunning area of NZ: Watching the rugby/netball games of the kids on saturday, learning about… read more
We really enjoyed our 2 weeks stay in this family: after more than a year of travelling, it felt good to be part of a family and experience that family-feeling we miss when travelling. The family always treated us like members of the family and not… read more
We would not hesitate to recommend them to any host.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
I did weeding, houshold chores and tried to help Rob whenever he needed a hand.
Therefore, I was treated as a family member and got an inside into life in this stunning area of NZ: Watching the rugby/netball games of the kids on saturday, learning about… read more
We really enjoyed our 2 weeks stay in this family: after more than a year of travelling, it felt good to be part of a family and experience that family-feeling we miss when travelling. The family always treated us like members of the family and not… read more
We would not hesitate to recommend them to any host.
And it was without doubt the best time we've had in nz.
Being a part of that amazing family was the best thing that could happen to us and despite the short time we've stayed with them we truly enjoyed every second of it.
We're really looking forward seeing you again very soon,… read more
We have just come back from a holiday so our feedback is also late...
It was a joy having you stay with us, your work ethic was great and you were always happy to do a little more if you felt it was required. You fitted well into our way of life and felt like one of the family. We would have not problem recommending Lea to any… read more
Me coming from the city, I had to learn everything from the beginning but both Rob and Susan, and the kids as well, were never tired of teaching me with patience.
It was never to much work. To be honest… read more
She was happy to try any job that we need done and was also happy and very good at helping out with the children.
The crutching and drenching that she did means that she now has good experience and watching the shearing she was able to see that it was a humane process, not like some… read more
Iam really late with my statement. Sorry for that, because I can more than recommend this friendly and kind family to everyone who wants to experience a real kiwi lifestyle.
I stayed for 4 weeks and i learned a lot of new things regarding to farm work and work in the veggie garden. The work is different from day to day and depends especially… read more
Amanda was great with the kids and I would recommend you try out her… read more
We would not hesitate to recommend Mael to any host.
I spent 2 weeks with Rob, Susan, Sean, Danielle and Natasha. One word : GENIAL !
Waking up with a great panorama from your bedroom (snow-capped mountains with the Torlesse Mount), feeding the "boys" (I am talking about the calves of course !), ploughing the vegee garden before planting… read more
We would suggest if you have the opportunity, to ask Gui to cook a traditional meal... Very tasty.
We would not hesitate to recommend… read more
I've spent most of my days helping Rob on his activities like feeding and tagging cattle, moving animals between pens and… read more
We would reccommend Elias to anyone looking to host him.
Thanks for your help.
We would not hesitate to recommend Julia to any host that is looking at having her stay.
We had plenty of communiction to arrange the visit and stay of 4 weeks, then nothing at all. I sent an email out a week before and no reply.
We turned a lot of requests down to accomadate Christine during a very busy part of our year.
Don't be dissapointed if she doesn't show up... you have been warned.
The weather wasn't the best for her stay but she was still keen to go outside and help out with any jobs that needed to be done.
We would gladly recommend Freda to any host.
We would recommend Adrain to any host.
In my short stay of only 5 days, I've done many different things, on the farm and in the house. There were so many new things to do and to try! I felt very much like a part of the family and I am very grateful for all the experiences that have been given to me.
It never… read more
Thanks again for staying with us and helping out around the house, farm and garden. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us, it was certainly a pleasure having you here. Good luck with the rest of your trip and we hope you don't have to put up with the weather that you did here at the end... we are hoping to get power back on… read more
Testing the fence, Emily style. You have amazing pigs.… read more
Well what can I say... bright and bubbly and full of energy. Always happy to help out especially at the end of the evening... Great workers and happy to give anything a try. Thank you for your help and hope that you have a great time traveling the rest of our country (in the winter). We would be happy to reccommend both… read more
Take care on your future travels.
We would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who is… read more
The children are very used to workawayers and it was great to listen to their reading and homework. Nice to be able to help a family who are full on, whether… read more
Great with the children and very handy in the kitchen, Chris fitted into our way of live without any problems at all.
Hope you find your weather at home warming up as ours is now starting to… read more
Their talents in the kitchen were amasing and I'm sure we'll talk about it for some time to come yet... still waiting for the recipies.
They both had lots… read more
I think that Doug's true calling may be bean picking but… read more
We would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wishes to host them.
Good luck in your travels and keep an eye… read more
She was excellent with the… read more
Susan and Rob are great hosts with a wonderful sense of humour. Other than many "employers", they don't want to make Wwoofers do anything they wouldn't like to do themselves. Thus "working" was always fun… read more
Both are very friendly, energetic and happy and it was always… read more
We would not hesitate to recommend Veronica to others.
Rob and Susan are very helpful. (For example, if your English is not completely correct, or show you how to drive a tractor). I don't want to miss the time with them and can only recommend going to Susan and Rob, and… read more
To Lea and Luca, enjoy your travels and take care.
Cheers
Rob, Susan and… read more
Luca & Lea
To Leen and Bram, enjoy your trip and take care.
Cheers
Susan, Rob and Children.
Rob and Sue´s farm is at gorgeous place. Working with… read more
Rob and Susan - very nice hosts. If you wish to practice New Zealand English, learn some butcher duties at the same time enjoying amazing scenery - this place definitely for you..
Susan and Rob
looking forward to see u… read more


















