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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
5 Feb 2024
Feedback
9
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Description
We are a family of four living on stunning Great Barrier Island New-Zealand. I am starting a new adventure in permaculture gardening. I am studying and taking over the management of the local community garden, as well as trying to expand our own gardens and working on a plan for the garden to kitchen project for the school. Shane runs the local tyreshop and is a passionate fisherman. The island is a natural paradise, rustic and challenging at times. Covered in native Forrest and surrounded by ocean suitable for every ocean lover. Fishing, diving, surfing, swimming etc. Beautiful inspiring local community and a lot of space for exploring and adventure.
Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Unique opportunity to see what it means to live on a remote island. Learning about solar powered living, raising children in the bush on an island. Working and living with the land and sea.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We mainly need help with household tasks such as food preparation, cooking, washing up, vacuum,sweeping, laundry. Both children, 5 and 9 are in school but with the summer holiday coming up I need help keeping them engaged and occupied outside and with baking, cleaning and washing inside.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: FluentAccommodation
We have a cute little cottage available where you can have your own space. There is a flush toilet but shower is not in working order, also no electricity. You can use our electricity, kitchen and bathroom etc in the main house. We provide food as we would eat in our family. We would LOVE it if you are keen in the kitchen! If you have any special diet needs you might have to source your own special foods but we mainly eat what the island provides. You can have brekkie, lunch, dinner and whatever is needed to keep you healthy and energetic. But help yourself and clean up after yourself.
We have telephone and internet access but this place is for the person capable of entertaining him/herself not the digital kind of place. Our home runs on solar power so care needs to be taken when using energy. Our only water comes from the rain so extreme care needs to be taken to use water in a smart way (winter is a bit easier on the water supply).What else ...
It is easy to hitchhike around the island and walk if you are fit. Great island for exploring, adventure, walking, swimming, yoga, fishing, spearfishing, diving, snorkeling, art, reading etc. Be able to entertain yourself or play with kids, our home is not designed for lounging( yet) we live an outdoor lifestyle. On wet days we do however always have the cozy fire burning and make breads and cakes! If time allows.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (9)
Saskia and Shane live with their two boys on the side of a small mountain on the Great Barrier Island, a… read more
Jake and Gillion are great, playful and energetic boys. I had much fun with them on the beach, playing at home or discovering something in the garden. Saskia and Shane are so warm-hearted… read more
I stayed with their family for only 12 days (actually 9 days because I tried Aota track) but I couldn’t be happier!
They were so kind-heart, warm, lots of love family… 🧡
From the first day, I felt so welcomed by Saskia's warm hug and soon I could get used to their family.
Also Shane welcomed me the raw fish the… read more
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Saskia and Shane live with their two boys on the side of a small mountain on the Great Barrier Island, a… read more
Jake and Gillion are great, playful and energetic boys. I had much fun with them on the beach, playing at home or discovering something in the garden. Saskia and Shane are so warm-hearted… read more
I stayed with their family for only 12 days (actually 9 days because I tried Aota track) but I couldn’t be happier!
They were so kind-heart, warm, lots of love family… 🧡
From the first day, I felt so welcomed by Saskia's warm hug and soon I could get used to their family.
Also Shane welcomed me the raw fish the… read more
I got to go on adventures with the boys, I got to help tidy the house ‘Marie Kondo style’ and got to help with the felting of the soaps.
They took me out fishing for the first… read more
I stayed with Saskia, Shane, Jake and Gillion for one full month (instead of two weeks). That was my first Workaway experience and... what experience !
I really appreciated having a place for me, hitchhiking is super easy (people stop even before you ask… read more
One for every member of that amazing family!
I lived in the cottage for a month on this paradise island.
You eat real good food, you make happy dances with the boys, you learn a lot about yarn and felting and soap and your part of the fun intense family life!
Best people ever :)
My job was mostly looking after the kids. Tanking them for a walk on the driveway, playing on the playground or going to the beach. With the boys it never gets boring, but you get rewarded with lots… read more