Help out on large villa and organic garden in Christchurch city, Canterbury, New Zealand

New Zealand

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16
Last activity
07/12/2021
Reply rate
100.0 %
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within 1 day
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****Hi there. I need a motivated, fun and easy going couple to stay for at least two weeks starting 27th December. Painting and building/handyperson skills would be an asset. We'll be sanding down and painting interior windows. We'll also be gardening, doing housework and sorting the woodshed. A beautiful, beautiful organic garden, fresh veges, world renowned salads and a beautiful place as a base to explore ChCh as part of the exchange!!! Please read through my listing and email me if you're interested. Thanks****

Hi there.
I am a woman in my late 50's and I have a little farmyard paradise in the middle of the city of Christchurch, with large organic vegetable gardens, and fruit and nut trees. Most people say it's like being in the country.

I'm 10 minutes drive/Lime scooter or 30 minutes walk from the inner city of Christchurch, 10-15 minutes drive from the beach and 10 minutes from The Tannery- a great place for live music with good beer and pizza. My two adult kids are in ChCh and are regular visitors, so you might meet them while you're here. I have an old dog called Great Uncle Cyrus who I rehomed at the beginning of 2020; he's a lovely old boy and everyone's friend. My daughter's 2 dogs are also regular visitors.

I usually ask my volunteers to work 5 hours a day for 5 days with 2 days off.

I like to feed our helpers well; I'm vegetarian and I don't like to cook meat or fish in the house, so you'll need to be OK with vegetarian food too. I encourage you to cook and to share your specialty (vegetarian) dishes with us. You'll share food preparation and clean up as part of living together, outside of your tasks.

You have your own lovely room with a comfy bed.
I enjoy life and like movies, music, theater, walking and reading. You are welcome to join me/us in social activities- there's lots going on in ChCh.

Please no users. I have you here because I need the help with the work- be prepared to pitch in and to help out. Our family have hosted people since 2004 and I've been a helper overseas, so know what makes a good helper experience! See the feedback.

Non smokers or drugs please. Good conversational English is required.

PLEASE EMAIL ME re a possible stay rather than phone-call or texting. I will answer all emails, even if I can't have you. I don't take on people who call or text, as they usually haven't read this far!

If you need a lift to our house, I will pick you up from the Central Bus Exchange, between Lichfield/Tuam sts, Central city.
********************

PLEASE MAKE CONTACT ONCE YOUR PLANS TO BE IN CHRISTCHURCH ARE CERTAIN, AND BE WILLING TO COMMIT TO HAVING TIME HERE.
We offer hosting because we have work to complete and we need the help. When people let us down at the last minute it is hugely inconvenient for us.

I will commit to having you here, buy extra food and will turn away others who request time with us so that you can be here. Please respect this by turning up, and on the day we arranged. Thanks!
**********************************************
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have traveled a lot; both within NZ and around the world. We know places to go in ChCh and in NZ with which we can help you.
We have a big garden here and live close to the earth and sea, but within the city.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Duties vary according to the time of the year and may include gardening, weeding, cleaning out the chicken house, stacking wood, trimming and pruning shrubs and trees, picking and preserving fruit and vegetables, painting and maintenance/repairs for the house, renovation projects and housework.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a lovely room very close to the house, snuggled within the garden.
What else ...
we're happy to help you with travel suggestions. we've all traveled extensively- both within NZ and overseas
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
Hours expected
usually 5 hours per day/5 days a week

Photos

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Summer afternoon.....

Feedback left by and about host (16)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.8)

Communication:
(4.8)

13/06/2021

Left by Workawayer (Robin) for host

Nickei is a pleasure to get to know and was an superb host in every regard! I was accommodated in a very nice private outhouse close to the main house which is connected through the terrace. I was free to choose my task as well as the timing to do them and got all the tools & support to do them in an enjoyful manner. Nickei was very open and… read more

(Excellent )

04/05/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Robin)

Robin came and stayed for five nights, to repair the decking in a treehouse.
He did a great job on it and worked with that reliable German precision and diligence, to build a beautiful platform that he assures me, will be good for decades!!
Robin was easy and enjoyable to have around, fun and respectful. His communication was excellent, and he's… read more

(Excellent )

22/03/2021

Left by Workawayer (Lauren) for host

My two weeks with Nickei and her sweet, old dog Cyrus were such a joy. Nickei is incredibly friendly, outgoing, generous, and kind. We had lots of great conversations while working in the garden, processing the fruit from her fruit trees, and cooking dinner. She welcomed me into her home and with her whanau, and I had such a lovely time getting to… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Lauren)

Lauren came and stayed, initially we arranged for a week, but after a day or two I asked her if she'd like to stay longer. She was easy and fun to be with and a good worker. I recommend her without hesitation.
While she was here Lauren weeded (and weeded, and weeded), spread pea straw on the garden, stacked wood, cleaned windows, did housework,… read more

(Excellent )

27/06/2020

Left by Workawayer (Harleigh & James) for host

Nickei was our first workaway host and what an act to follow.
We spent our initial two and a half weeks helping with a variety of gardening and household jobs. In return, we were rewarded with the most beautiful home, wonderful fresh food (often from the garden) and all round great fun. Nickei is a complete joy to be around and as a result, we… read more

(Excellent )

01/06/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Harleigh & James)

Harleigh and James had their first Workaway experience at our home and we were delighted to host them. They are a delightful couple; fun, respectful, motivated, hardworking, and conscientiousness. While they were with us they did the following: weeding, pruning, digging out (bloody awful) tree roots and an invasive lily, housework, walnut… read more

(Excellent )

04/06/2020

Left by Workawayer (Petr & Veronika) for host

We were hosted by Nickei in her big renovated house with quite large garden with diverse plants, herbs and trees. Located close to the city center.

We have spent there around 11 days with another volunteering couple, working 5 hours a day with 2 days off in one week. Lunch and dinner are shared and you are expected to help with prep or cleanup.… read more

(Excellent )

01/06/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Petr & Veronika)

Peter and Veronica stayed with us for 10 days in May. They were fun to have around, great workers, respectful, conscientious and interesting to yak with.
During the time they were here they weeded, did garden/old shed cleanups and dump runs, dug out (bloody awful) roots, stacked firewood, housework and shelled walnuts.
They helped with meals and… read more

(Excellent )

25/01/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Patrick & Miriam)

Patrick and Miriam are my beloved "Swissys". They came for a week and stayed longer- both because they were so good at working and we ripped through so many projects, but also completely darling folk to have around. In them, I met heart-family from the other side of the world xx
They are fun, interesting people, easy to be with, considerate,… read more

(Excellent )

25/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Patrick & Miriam) for host

Nickei made everything to make us feel very welcome and staying with her for 10 days felt like coming home. She took us to the local farmer's markets, to the community gardens, the beach and helped out whenever she could. We felt really sad to leave this beautiful green sanctuary in the middle of the city. Nickei really knows how to host people… read more

(Excellent )

14/01/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (NADIA & Tomás)

Nadia and Tomas came and stayed initially for 3 nights, but agreed to stay longer. They were hardworking, helpful, considerate and respectful, and fun to have a round.
They worked in well with the other work-away couple we had here.
Nadia's cooking is great; get her to make you her empa-nadia's!!
Thanks guys xx

(Excellent )

05/03/2016

Left by Workawayer (Pedro) for host

It was supposed to be at Nickei´s for a few days but I stayed there for two weeks. There was work to do there and we did. We worked almost every day together and it was a nice experience: no pressure and nice conversation. Brioney and Simon are also nice companion. All of them wonderful, helpful, enjoyable, kind,… people.
Sometimes the little… read more

(Excellent )

01/03/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Pedro)

Pedro came initially for four days, but we quickly snaffled him up to stay longer as he was so capable. He painted kitchen cupboards, fixed hinges, replaced glass in windows, repaired everything around the house which needed it (often taking the initiative to do so), plastered and painted, and did a garden tidy-up. Pedro is a hard worker, skilled… read more

(Excellent )

24/01/2016

Left by Workawayer (Katy & Taylor) for host

We had an absolutely lovely time at Nickei's urban sanctuary. Great food, great company, and the perfect amount of work. She was very generous and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Couldn't have asked for a better first experience! Thank you Nickei, Brioney, Ted, and Albi.

(Excellent )

23/01/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Katy & Taylor)

These guys were great. Interesting, capable, good workers and damn good fun to have around.
Katy and Taylor stayed with us for a week. They stacked a mammoth pile of firewood, weeded, cleaned windows, did housework, cracked walnuts, and loaded up the trailer.
They helped out around the house with meals and cleanup, and were willing and amiable.… read more

(Excellent )

28/03/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Frédérique & Robert)

Frédérique mucked me around with contacting/communicating.
She was negotiating for herself and her travel buddy to come and stay and work. She didn't reply to the email I sent in response to hers re details of staying and working. She didn't turn up in the end, but didn't say she wasn't going to-just left negotiations in the air at the final… read more

(No show)

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