Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
8 Jun 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
10
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
We live on a small holding a short distance from Pukekohe and we have macadamia trees and the nuts need harvesting in the late winter and early spring.
We have Kunekune pigs and a few sheep and chickens and they all have a job to do keeping the orchard clean and free of pests.
I am also a puppy walker for the Blind Foundation of NZ.
We expect four hours help in exchange for board lodging and fun. Minimum stay one week.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have wonderful conversations at the dinner table each day. We are good teachers of English and Virginia is a good cook and will teach cooking if required. We have lived in NZ for 40 years and can explain some of the nuances of Kiwi expressions and point you in the direction for various activities. You can learn about macadamia growing, harvesting and processing.
We have both been in the health profession for many, many years. Charles has a hobby building and flying model planes, Virginia is very involved with an international organisation. We are volunteers with a blind foundation and often have guide dogs here for short periods while the guardians are on holiday or if the dog is having a change of career and waiting for a placement. We have raised two successful Guide Dogs.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Harvesting nuts in the late winter, early spring, pruning trees, gardening, painting, general maintenance.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Swahili (Kiswahili): BeginnerThis 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 is separate from the main house, one room with a double bed, second room with two single beds with electric blankets in winter.
Internet is available in the main house, although we ask that you do not download music or films as it uses up our monthly data excessively. There is free internet at the library for this, if required.
What else ...
We are 45 minutes south of Auckland by car and on the railway line between Auckland and Wellington. Pukekohe has a heated swimming pool, Les Mills Fitness centre , The soccer team is always looking for more players, The Pukekohe Tramping club will often take visitors with them on hikes. We have had over 300 helpers so have gleaned a lot of knowledge and it has been a win/win situation for us all! We prefer to host people who have a bit of life experience and have been out of school for 5 years. I am reluctant to take vegetarians as more thought has to go into creating a good balanced diet and I tend to focus on a mixed diet, but we do not eat a lot of meat.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (8)
One highlight was being included in their… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
One highlight was being included in their… read more
Thanks also for driving me into town (it's easier for workawayers who have a car as the farm is on a busy road with no bus service) and the the other help you… read more
To any potential workaway folk, I can’t speak highly enough of this world traveling British couple. They ask that you… read more
We were at their farm for four weeks and had a great time. We harvested macadamia nuts and cut some trees.
We learned a lot from them.
Charles often told us great stories. The pigs are funny and cute. We always had different things to do. The work never was boring.
We had a very nice time with them in their home. We stayed with them for two weeks. Virginia expects good and tough work, but we could handle it and I hope, we did a good job.
We were cutting a big tree and its branches, building a drain, cutting the hedge and… read more
