Take a breath and experience local life in Tōrere Bay, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  Hello I'm Ben, I live here on my parents property in the beautiful Tōrere bay at the start of the highway towards the East Cape (North Island). My parents started working on the land in the 90's turning a bare paddock into an oasis overlooking the bay. Over the years they have hosted countless woofers and workawayers, some of them becoming life long friends. As my projects differ to theirs, I have created a separate page. Feel welcome to reach out to either of us.
  
  Currently I am building my home and working through the creative process of making that happen, I love having new ideas come from meeting people, as we all have unique sharings and insights to offer.
  
  We live largely as self sustaining as we can. We hunt, fish, garden and forage, it's a simple lifestyle, filled with tiny little details that are always being fine-tuned or adjusted, like splitting kindling for example! On the farm is a sawmill also, and the trees my parents planted are currently being selectively harvested. All the buildings and structures on the land have been built by my family, and we continue to build things...
  
  We have 3 cows, 3 sheep, 1 cat, 1 dog, many chickens, 9 ducks, lots of native birds, and there are 3 humans who live here at the moment.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Languages

  

  Photography

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Carpentry

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Dancing

  

  Nature

  

  Fitness

  

  Camping
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live in Torere Bay, and the local iwi or tribe is Ngai Tai. Frequently there are events happening down at the Marae, or in the area, if you are interested in learning about the Māori culture, I am happy to share what I know, and introduce you to others who have much more knowledge on the subjects. In this area we enjoy fishing, diving, having campfires on the beach which is great for swims.
  
  On our farm, we have a vast array of tasks that need to be done. If you are interested in learning how to be self-sufficient, we can show you what we know.

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  Help

  I would love help with a number of projects but we can also discuss and choose where we want to spend our energy.
  
  There is landscaping, woodwork, metalwork, general household maintenance and gardening work opportunities
  
  Ideally I am hoping to have guests who can fit into the lifestyle, firewood, gardening, cooking etc.
  
  I have a local business which involves landscaping, woodworking, carpentry and custom fabrication for clients. Potentially if you have the right skills / work ethic, I can get you paid work (will need a visa)
  
  If you're a keen gardener, please reach out ! My mum is always passionate to talk soil

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Maori: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love to learn another language
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  Accommodation

  You will have private sleeping quarters with an independent shower.
  
  The majority, 95%, of our diet comes from the garden, land or sea. Locally grown, harvested, fished or hunted. If food is an important part of your life, then come and join us. I have a kitchen that I cook only with wood, and there is also a communal kitchen with ocean views, next to the guest cabin, where you will stay, plus my parents have their own private space. We welcome those who love cooking
  
  Toilet use is a long drop for guests, there is also a well designed outdoor bath ( the heating part of it ) the timber structure needs replacing but it still functions fine, another project to do this summer !

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  What else ...

  There is a beautiful coastline with hardly anyone, right on our front door step. Out the back door is the Raukumara National Park, which is as beautiful as it is rugged.
  
  Lots of walks to do within 1 hrs drive, plenty of rivers to walk up and down, fishing and diving when the seas right.
  
  We eat a diet of mainly everything, we can cater to vegetarian and vegan, but we will still continue to have meat ourselves.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Billy

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