The image depicts the interior of a camper van, featuring a dining area with a table and bench seating, accompanied by a small kitchenette and a cozy sleeping area.
The image depicts a brown bus converted into a camper, parked on grass with a picnic table and a small shed in the background, set against a blue sky with clouds.
The image depicts the interior of a wooden cabin with a door leading to a grassy area, featuring a wood-burning stove and a window on the left side.
The image depicts a small, dark blue building with a white door and window, situated in a grassy field with mountains in the background on a sunny day.
The image depicts a small bed with a colorful quilt and blue pillow, situated in a wooden room with a simple headboard and a light-colored floor.
A woman in a red shirt and black pants is throwing a branch into a fire pit, wearing gloves and standing on a dirt path in a grassy field.
The image depicts a man pruning grapevines in a vineyard, with a mountain range visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
A woman stands in a field of tall grass and weeds, wearing a blue shirt, black pants, and a hat, with mountains in the background.
The image depicts three individuals working together in a vineyard, with one person wearing a hat and plaid shirt, amidst a backdrop of rolling hills and mountains.
The image depicts a serene outdoor setting with a fire pit, logs, and camping chairs in a grassy area, surrounded by hills and mountains in the background.
The image depicts four individuals seated around a fire pit, with a grill containing chestnuts, set against a serene backdrop of a hill and a cloudy sky at dusk.
The image depicts a vast, open field with a dirt road, a small building, and a car, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a man and two children standing behind a chain-link fence, wearing ear protection, with a trailer and a field of yellow flowers in the background.
The image shows two children standing on a wooden platform in front of a brown bus, wearing winter clothing and boots, with a few chairs and other items nearby.
updated  

Come and enjoy the adventures in the Waitaki, South Island, New Zealand

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    16 Nov 2023

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    5

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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  • Description

    Description

    ***Looking for someone to house & dog sit mid Dec to early Jan *** Are you travelling, but could do with some house and dog time over Christmas?

    We have a small vineyard in the Waitaki Valley, South Island, NZ which we are in the process of converting into a trufferie. We are looking for help with tasks around our home in Timaru during the week and then help on the 'land' in the weekend. They are an hour and half from each other.
    It will be pretty relaxed while in Timaru but with some hard work to be done at the trufferie.
    We have two children (14 & 12), a cat & a 2 yr old Springer Spaniel so work may include cooking, cleaning, entertaining the kids & dog, mowing, planting, rock moving and fencing.
    Accommodation is in a warm sleepout (double bed) while in Timaru and our sleepout/ sauna (double bed) with own fire at the land. We have a bus on the land with a fire for socialising and eating meals.
    We are a fun busy family who have travelled extensively ourselves. In 2024 we were in North America for the year.
    We are looking for someone who can fit into family life and is into the outdoors. We are an active family; running, biking and being in the outdoors. There maybe the chance to join us skiing too.
    We like our helpers to stay the week with us in town, this will only include light duties and plenty of free time. And then come to the land in the weekend, working full days. We usual only have helpers stay a week with us. (For the school holidays we will spend a full week away working - you are welcome to stay another week with us without work).

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
    House & pet sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Culture
    LGBTQ
    Politics / Social justice
    Sustainability
    Van life
    Pets
    Farming
    Charity work
    Drawing & painting
    DIY & crafts
    Carpentry
    Cooking & food
    Books
    Art & design
    Animals
    Water sports
    Hiking
    Nature
    Winter sports
    Outdoor activities
    Mountain
    Cycling
    Beach
    Camping
    Adventure sports
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We love to travel ourselves and the sharing of cultures is exciting. The Waitaki valley is a beautiful area of NZ that is hardly ever visited. Both Rob and I have extensive knowledge of the NZ outdoors and nature. We are happy to share our outdoors lifestyle with visitors to NZ.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Help may include cooking, cleaning, entertaining the kids & puppy at home and mowing, planting, rock moving & fencing at the land.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Maori: Beginner

    This 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

    Accommodation

    In Timaru during the week - own warm sleepout with double bed. During the weekend on the land - a wonderful sleepout with your own fire (we use this as a sauna also (:

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We live in town in the week and there is a bike to borrow or the local bus just down the road. You will have most of the day off in the week, but work hard over the weekend. We can transport one helper to the land in the weekends, so pairs or couples will need own transport or just let us know please. Timaru has a little town, beautiful beach and nice bush walks less than an hour drive away. At times of the year penguins can be seen at the bay.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    On the road while in town but heaps of space while away in Kurow.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Profile photo of Mako

    Mako

    2 year Springer Spaniel

    Molly

    Tabby cat

Host ref number: 883398454333

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