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10 Sep 2024
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Description
We are a whanau (family) of five living in the majestic Te Henga Valley, 2 adults a tween 12 and a teenager 14 and a 2month old baby girl
Pip is of Māori decent from the tribes of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Raukawa. Pip is a Kai Tā (Māori tattoo artist) who has specialized in Moko for over 20 years. Operating from her private studio built on the whenua. She is passionate about her culture always learning, sharing and creating beautiful spaces and projects that align with tikanga values.
Miles is kaiwhenua (land caretaker) and loves to work with the soil, plants and animals. His main projects involve practical things on the land. He hails from English and Carribean parents. As he likes to say hes from the 4 corners of the world and blew ashore Aotearoa 15 years ago.
Our girls go to the local kura (school) both fluent in Te Reo Māori language. They love to get creative, dance and practice their mau rakau (maori martial arts) skills.
Our shared whenua (land) is a small mixed homestead farm of 10 acres where we have lots of creative and practical projects on the go. The name of our land roughly translates in simple terms as the place of growth. Your stay here will no doubt leave you with your own translation of what this means to you, we are all unique with unique perspectives.
There are multiple habitats which are being regenerated with inspiration from Permaculture, Organic, Tikanga Maori and Natural principles. Trees, wetlands, grazing, browsing, growing and working with and learning from the whenua and Papatūānuku (mother earth).
There is always something varied to do, with opportunities to learn or to help us learn from your experiences. Each season brings new challenges. We work at a pace that isn't too rushed, but we also like to get things done! We tune into the phases of the moon and natural cycles (maramataka) and try to utilize resources from the land in our projects. We would love to collaborate with people who have creative imagination and a desire to manifest their ideas into reality.
We have several pets of dogs, cats, chicken and sheep. Animals are a key part to our lives that we love and sometimes may need some help with them.
We are 5 minutes drive to Bethells Beach or the Waitakere ranges and 30 minutes to Auckland city central.
At present we would really love to get some building tasks done, so if you have these skills we would love to hear from you!
Mauri Ora!!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The learning opportunities are infinite with an open mind. Each day we wake we know the day will bring something new to teach us. Our indigenous backgrounds and values guide and support our unique outlooks and our approach to life, as well as all those we share it with.
Feel free to ask questions about Māori culture, our customs, protocols and history. Our hope is that you leave here inspired, with a bit more understanding of our culture and Indigenous teachings to take with you on your journey here in Aotearoa.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There is such a wide variety of help required that it would take for ever to list. Things are seasonal, so winter may be more preparatory tasks, dryer seasons may be more harvesting and growing.
Gardens are constantly expanding and need the soil to be fed, trees need planting, fences repaired...
Skills and experience in chainsaws (if comftorable), weed eater, mowers etc would be useful.
Carpentry and building skills would be great! We have plenty of projects needing these skills.
Creating new artistic structures for the marakai (garden)
General maintenance of the house inside and out, help with cooking and cleaning.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Maori: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
Accommodation is a cozy caravan consisting of a double bed and a king single bed situated close to our whare (home) with easy access to all ammenities.
Self contained campervans can be parked up also.
We are on tank water so water conservation is vital.
What else ...
There is an abundnce of outdoor adventures to explore!
The beach is a 5minute drive from our placewith the most spectacular sunsets. There is a little cafe caravan down there in the weekends that provide live music on friday nights. Te Wainamu lake is a beautiful walk and place to swim, sand dunes, many nature walks, river swims and some waterfalls also.
A disk golf course is down the road, which is also a great walk if you're not into throwing frizbys.
The local shops are a 10 minute drive where you will find the Swanson train station to take you to the city. It offers stops to many different towns on the way with close proximity to different shopping malls.
Approximately 30 minutes drive to Auckland central where you will find many things to do if citys are your thing.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Small van size
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (1)
The work was cut out for my abilities and I could always bring in my own ideas.
The gardens are beautiful and give you the opportunity to learn a lot about NZs nature and… read more
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Feedback
The work was cut out for my abilities and I could always bring in my own ideas.
The gardens are beautiful and give you the opportunity to learn a lot about NZs nature and… read more
