Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
3 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 13 days
Feedback
44
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I am looking for workaways for an eco project, replacing introduced wild gorse with NZ native plants.
Between now and Christmas 2023 we are also looking for 1-2 workaways to do some polishing on our launch Pandanusa (see photo).
We are a couple with cat and dog who moved to Waikawa, Marlborough Sounds in 2015. We have a 36 foot launch and a small racing yacht and love to get away to enjoy the Marlborough Sounds.
The Marlborough Sounds in summer is warm and in winter is lovely, no wind and generally perfect days. Come and explore the Marlborough Sounds with free accommodation (your own room and bathroom) and food. We are a few minutes walk from Waikawa Bay and 40 mins walk from Picton. We can sometimes arrange sailing, racing and boating if you are interested.
Thank you for looking at this listing. Please email me if you are interested.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
While my husband is out on the water many days a week, I love to garden and cook. I'm keen on food self sufficiency and regenerating NZ bush.
Help
We have been planting native trees in an area in Waikawa and need help doing this. The tasks involved are weeding, cutting back and planting natives. Our preferred length of stay is a week with 4-5 hours work per day, 5 days per week. House work may be an option if its raining.
These tasks involve physical work and require an ability to use gardening tools, to work hard physically and use your muscles. You need to be fit. Over clothes and gloves will be provided. Gumboots and boots if you have big feet!
If you want to do the polishing job all materials will be supplied.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
A double bed or twin room with a bathroom (shower/bath with separate toilet and handbasins). Sometimes we have other people staying, then you will need to share the bathroom. 3 substantial meals a day provided, eating with the family. We'd love you to cook a meal from your homeland one night. We have a non smoking policy.
What else ...
We have enjoyed having workaways, backpackers and cultural exchange students visit us. Its great meeting people from around the world and sharing ideas, recipes and general knowledge. We enjoy showing people the Marlborough Sounds from our launch (if we are going out) and can sometimes arrange sailing and yacht racing on certain days.
There are great local walks in generating native bush, swimming at the beach (5 mins walk away) and Kaipupu Reserve can be visited by taking a trip on a local mail boat.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
A van or car can be parked at the top of our drive and plugged in if required.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4 or up to 5 hours maximum a day, 5 days per week
Host ref number: 951423565289
Feedback (24)
11 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Clement)
Clement was a delight to have in our house and working in the garden.
He was good at weeding and clipping back and strong enough to dig the big holes and remove large gorse bushes.
Clement followed through on things, showed initiative and was able to continue on his own if I had to go to an appointment.
We enjoyed taking him sailing and to a… read more
He was good at weeding and clipping back and strong enough to dig the big holes and remove large gorse bushes.
Clement followed through on things, showed initiative and was able to continue on his own if I had to go to an appointment.
We enjoyed taking him sailing and to a… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Clement) for host
I had an amazing week. Thanks for eveythings, Rob and Mandy.
Mandy is a good gardener and she was with me every morning. I am gratefull for the quality of the food, the room and to let me be in part of the family activity during the week end.
I recommand at 100%.
Mandy is a good gardener and she was with me every morning. I am gratefull for the quality of the food, the room and to let me be in part of the family activity during the week end.
I recommand at 100%.
4 Dec 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Ivy)
Ivy was a great communicator, we worked out situations beforehand and Ivy was great at delaying her visit by one day as we had a family thing the weekend she was due to arrive.
We did a variety of garden jobs each day usually starting in the vege garden as Ivy is a vegetarian and it was good for us to know how much work goes into creating a vege… read more
We did a variety of garden jobs each day usually starting in the vege garden as Ivy is a vegetarian and it was good for us to know how much work goes into creating a vege… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Ivy) for host
I spent a week with Mandy and Rob and had the best time! I really enjoyed gardening with Mandy and learning more about native plants. The work was interesting and varied but not too difficult. I also really enjoyed talking to Mandy and Rob and appreciated that they included me in their activities - Mandy brought me on a walk and I also joined them… read more
11 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Gareth)
Gareth was a delight to have to stay. He was quick to learn and we did different jobs once or twice a day, Yes plenty of gardening tasks.
Gareth applied his process management skills by completing one task fully along a set of trees, before beginning the 2nd and then 3rd jobs. It worked, it was quicker as long as the first tree was completed… read more
Gareth applied his process management skills by completing one task fully along a set of trees, before beginning the 2nd and then 3rd jobs. It worked, it was quicker as long as the first tree was completed… read more
(Excellent
)
25 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Gareth) for host
What a fantastic week of learning with Mandy! Thank you for the welcome Rob, thanks Rusty for wanting to chase ball providing entertainment while we work, and Pus Pus for showing off your affectionate purs.
--
As a person that want to learn much about gardening to build my herb garden, I got to learn a whole bunch! Pleaching, weeding techniques,… read more
--
As a person that want to learn much about gardening to build my herb garden, I got to learn a whole bunch! Pleaching, weeding techniques,… read more
Photos
Feedback
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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
11 Mar 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Clement)
Clement was a delight to have in our house and working in the garden.
He was good at weeding and clipping back and strong enough to dig the big holes and remove large gorse bushes.
Clement followed through on things, showed initiative and was able to continue on his own if I had to go to an appointment.
We enjoyed taking him sailing and to a… read more
He was good at weeding and clipping back and strong enough to dig the big holes and remove large gorse bushes.
Clement followed through on things, showed initiative and was able to continue on his own if I had to go to an appointment.
We enjoyed taking him sailing and to a… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Clement) for host
I had an amazing week. Thanks for eveythings, Rob and Mandy.
Mandy is a good gardener and she was with me every morning. I am gratefull for the quality of the food, the room and to let me be in part of the family activity during the week end.
I recommand at 100%.
Mandy is a good gardener and she was with me every morning. I am gratefull for the quality of the food, the room and to let me be in part of the family activity during the week end.
I recommand at 100%.
4 Dec 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Ivy)
Ivy was a great communicator, we worked out situations beforehand and Ivy was great at delaying her visit by one day as we had a family thing the weekend she was due to arrive.
We did a variety of garden jobs each day usually starting in the vege garden as Ivy is a vegetarian and it was good for us to know how much work goes into creating a vege… read more
We did a variety of garden jobs each day usually starting in the vege garden as Ivy is a vegetarian and it was good for us to know how much work goes into creating a vege… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Ivy) for host
I spent a week with Mandy and Rob and had the best time! I really enjoyed gardening with Mandy and learning more about native plants. The work was interesting and varied but not too difficult. I also really enjoyed talking to Mandy and Rob and appreciated that they included me in their activities - Mandy brought me on a walk and I also joined them… read more
11 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Gareth)
Gareth was a delight to have to stay. He was quick to learn and we did different jobs once or twice a day, Yes plenty of gardening tasks.
Gareth applied his process management skills by completing one task fully along a set of trees, before beginning the 2nd and then 3rd jobs. It worked, it was quicker as long as the first tree was completed… read more
Gareth applied his process management skills by completing one task fully along a set of trees, before beginning the 2nd and then 3rd jobs. It worked, it was quicker as long as the first tree was completed… read more
(Excellent
)
25 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Gareth) for host
What a fantastic week of learning with Mandy! Thank you for the welcome Rob, thanks Rusty for wanting to chase ball providing entertainment while we work, and Pus Pus for showing off your affectionate purs.
--
As a person that want to learn much about gardening to build my herb garden, I got to learn a whole bunch! Pleaching, weeding techniques,… read more
--
As a person that want to learn much about gardening to build my herb garden, I got to learn a whole bunch! Pleaching, weeding techniques,… read more
24 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Raghava)
Raghava was a delight to have to stay. He worked hard and could work on his own. We had inclement weather (it looked like it was going to rain each day) and we both did not want to do housework! We were lucky to just get the work days in without getting wet. We removed a lot of gorse and planted many new native plants. Raghava made us a dish from… read more
(Excellent
)
31 May 2023
Left by Workawayer (Gina) for host
I stayed one week in the Edens garden! Mandy worked with me and we did hips of fun things apart of weeding. She tought me about all the natives trees and plants she has in the wild forest she's taking care. Mandy was very organised with work and we took one brake for tea under the sun and in the beautiful garden they have. Rusty and Pus are two… read more
29 May 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Karoline)
Karoline was a fantastic workaway, she was great at communication, always fun and able to work hard. We dug a trench one day with mud and clay sticking to our boots and spades, making it heavy work, Karoline perservered and eventually we watched the water flowing away from several small lakes that previously flooded the land.
Karoline has worked… read more
Karoline has worked… read more
(Excellent
)
16 May 2023
Left by Workawayer (Karoline) for host
I had the pleasure to stay with Mandy and Robs place for a little more than a week. They are such a nice couple and was very welcoming. We did some good garding work, where Mandy always was working too. That gave nice convercations and a good working morale. Thank you, and thanks for some nice walks with Rusty!
9 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer (Natalie Annett) for host
I really enjoyed my stay at Mandy's and Rob's home. Lovely company, great food, interesting conversations and lots to learn! Mandy is really passionate about gardening and has a lot of knowledge to share. The hours were reasonable and the work was physical demanding, because it was so warm, afternoons were free. Another workawayer stayed there at… read more
25 Feb 2023
Left by Workawayer (Vivian05) for host
I had a really great stay with Mandy and Rob. They are really nice and it was very easy to win Rusty‘s heart by throwing him his ball. I cut back some Gorse and blackberry brambles, replanted some young trees and did some weeding. It was quite physical, especially because it was hot, but the work was very rewarding as I could see the difference I… read more
8 Feb 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Quentin)
Quentin is a happy person, always laughing. He and another workaway were here at the same time and they got on well together which was nice for us all.
Quentin is a hard worker who, once he was shown what to do, did it very well. He weeded and dug out gorse and other easier weeds. His specialty was re-planting libertia, which will put on a grand… read more
Quentin is a hard worker who, once he was shown what to do, did it very well. He weeded and dug out gorse and other easier weeds. His specialty was re-planting libertia, which will put on a grand… read more
(Excellent
)
7 Feb 2023
Left by Workawayer (Quentin) for host
Really nice stay with Mandy and Rob at Waikawa!
I really enjoyed their company, their kindness, enthusiasm and sharing knowledge/stories with them.
The cruise to the Queen's Charlotte Sound was the icing on the cake !
Their house is also a really good place for running, hiking, and swimming around. I did the Queen's Charlotte trek right after my… read more
I really enjoyed their company, their kindness, enthusiasm and sharing knowledge/stories with them.
The cruise to the Queen's Charlotte Sound was the icing on the cake !
Their house is also a really good place for running, hiking, and swimming around. I did the Queen's Charlotte trek right after my… read more
21 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellen)
Ellen and Claire were a delight to have to stay. They were both so full of life and fun. They worked hard, digging out weeds mostly, so the native plants have a better chance of life and it looked so much better! On day 5 we planted 6 Nikau palms, only about 5 cm high, built little covered houses so they are protected from the wind and sun.
One… read more
One… read more
(Excellent
)
20 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Ellen) for host
Claire and I loved our time with Mandy and Rob. Our rooms and bathroom were more than we could have hoped for! They have a lovely, comfortable house and even a veggie patch which were able to help ourselves too. Mandy was also happy to supply us with anything we needed like soothing cream for gardening scratches and bug spray. We learnt so much… read more
3 Dec 2022
Left by Workawayer (Miria) for host
I was at Mandy's and Rob's house for a week. It was a really nice experience. I learned a lot of native plants and gardening. One day it was rainy and I could do some cleaning inside. It was nice to have a privat room and bathroom. Also, Mandy's salads were very good.
I was allowed to accompany Mandy when hiking with her hiking group and accompany… read more
I was allowed to accompany Mandy when hiking with her hiking group and accompany… read more
15 Nov 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Miria)
Miria was an excellent worker, she worked hard and learnt quickly. I enjoyed working with her. In addition Miria was good around the house, easy to get along with and left her room and the bathroom very clean. Thank you Miria, I hope you are having fun with your co-travellor.
(Excellent
)
22 Feb 2020
Left by Workawayer (Mella ) for host
I had the most wonderful week with Mandy and Rob. Working with Mandy in the garden was such a delight and I learned a lot about the native plants. The days were very enjoyable, with working until mid morning and then having the rest of the day to explore around Beautiful Picton. Mandy is a brilliant cook and we had so many lovely fruit and… read more
4 Feb 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Christine)
Christine was a delight to have in our house. Always smiling and pleasant and easy to talk to. She worked well at a variety of projects around the garden including taking down old unwanted structures, weeding and watering around previously planted natives and planting out new seedlings. It was very hot for a few of the days and hard to carry on… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Feb 2020
Left by Workawayer (Christine) for host
Staying with Mandy and Rob for a week in their lovely home was a delight. They were both very welcoming and Mandy made delicious hearty food with most of the ingredients fresh from her vegetable garden and fruit trees! Her feijoa crumble was to die for and so many tasty homegrown and pickled gherkins! I and another Workawayer Mella helped Mandy… read more
14 Dec 2019
Left by Workawayer (GUILLAUME) for host
I had the opportunity to stay at Mandy and Rob's place for a little week in beautiful Picton. They were both great hosts easy-going and nice people. Was very interesting to talk about their many sailing travels around the world. They have a lovely garden with many native plants and trees. I also had the big chance to participate a sailing race… read more
3 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Catherine & Matthew)
Catherine was a delight to have around, easy to talk to, keen to learn and a hard worker, putting in plenty of effort in order to keep fit. We planted natives for a couple of days, then attacked the small lawn outside our living room. Catherine used the rotary hoe to cut the old lawn up, we both then stamped it flat before sifting by hand the… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Sep 2019
Left by Workawayer (Catherine & Matthew) for host
I had a wonderful stay with Mandy and Rob! Mandy is so knowledgeable about the native plants and happy to share her knowledge. The work is very physical but not too difficult and nothing Mandy wouldn’t do herself - in fact, she was usually out busting her butt with me! She provides all the tools and protective clothing you need.
They also… read more
They also… read more
17 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Laura)
Laura and her friend Jean Baptiste were easy people to have to stay. They worked well weeding, planting and a bit of housekeeping on a wet day. They helped around the house, doing dishes when I cooked, and generally being tidy and helpful. They made the most of the Picton area, finding flattish places to run as they get ready for a half marathon… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Laura) for host
We stayed one week at Mandy and Rob's place. It was a real pleasure to meet them and discover their daily life. We learnt many things about gardening, sailing, and they cooked very tasty meals (fresh fish cakes were amazing). The work at the morning was not to hard with a lot of gardening and a bit of housekeeping. The house is really peaceful… read more
18 Feb 2019
Left by Workawayer (illbird) for host
It was such a pleasure to stay at Mandy and Robs home! The meals they provided were delicious and their stories of sailing the world were exciting to hear. Gardening with Mandy was always fun, I learned a lot about the different native and foreign plant species and general garden care. The location is beautiful, very scenic and quiet, not to far… read more
29 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (illbird)
Ilia was a delight to have around, he was super friendly and interesting. He loves his music and set himself goals to achieve each week regarding music. He always completed his work each day before setting off to explore or compose.
Ilia worked well, always helped with the dishes and cleaned up his room and the bathroom before leaving. Thank you… read more
Ilia worked well, always helped with the dishes and cleaned up his room and the bathroom before leaving. Thank you… read more
(Excellent
)
9 Jun 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (felicitas1313)
(Good
)
23 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (felicitas1313) for host
Mandy and Rob are great hosts. They are boths so nice, kind-hearted people. Even took care of me when I got sick. I am so thankful I could spend a week with them. I did some house work, some weeding, cleaned boats from the outside and stacked fire wood. All tasks were easy and fun to do.
Thank you so much foe everything!
Thank you so much foe everything!
10 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Gemma & David)
Gemma and David were easy to get along with, they made it clear how many days they could spend with us and work. They did a variety of jobs from weeding, planting and digging. Gemma was good enough to help out with some housework, thanks. They also cleaned their room at the end of their stay, how great was that!
(Excellent
)
10 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Gemma & David) for host
We had a lovely stay with Mandy and Rob! They were friendly and welcoming from the start and we had some fascinating conversations with Mandy about her different environmental projects. We had great fun helping with her native planting scheme. We were also lucky enough to get the chance to explore the Sounds from their boat, which was amazing!… read more
18 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Sophie) for host
I stayed with Rob and Mandy for a week and had a lovely time. They really made me feel welcomed and at home in their house. The help in the garden was fun and you are always kept company by their lovely dog and cat.
Mandy knows a lot about the native plants of New Zealand and i was able to learn a lot from her.
She is also a fantastic cook and she… read more
Mandy knows a lot about the native plants of New Zealand and i was able to learn a lot from her.
She is also a fantastic cook and she… read more
18 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie)
Sophie is a friendly young woman who worked hard weeding outside both in the vegetable garden and where we are planting native bush. On one rainy day she wiped all the kitchen and living room walls down for fly spot! Sophie also planted seeds for the Spring.
Good luck Sophie for your next adventure.
Good luck Sophie for your next adventure.
(Excellent
)
18 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Ricardo)
Ricardo is a lovely, caring and polite man. He stayed with us a week, helped a lot in the garden and was very helpful around the house with meals and dishes. He weeded one day, carted and stacked wood another and helped my husband build a shed for a couple of days. Ricardo even took our dog for a walk as we are trying to get him to lose the "good… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Ricardo) for host
I stayed one week with Rob and Mandy and it was just excellent. They are such a lovely couple and very welcoming with their guests. I felt like I was at home from the beginning, Mandy picked me up at the ferry terminal even after my trip got delayed 3 hours that night and when we got home she had prepared lasagne for us. :) I was really impressed… read more
3 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Darren)
Darren spent a couple of weeks with us and is a very pleasant and hardworking workaway. He always thought through a job, did it well and was very good at cleaning up after. His weeding and building were as meticulous as his filleting of fish.
Have a good time in London Darren
Have a good time in London Darren
(Excellent
)
30 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Darren) for host
I spent my last 2 weeks with Mandy and Rob on their beautiful property and it was 10 out of 10!
Due to the spring season I did a lot of weeding, but Mandy was always endeavored to find some further task during my shift. Really appreciated it!
Also a great thanks to them for taking me on the yacht race and the fishing trip!
I already miss you… read more
Due to the spring season I did a lot of weeding, but Mandy was always endeavored to find some further task during my shift. Really appreciated it!
Also a great thanks to them for taking me on the yacht race and the fishing trip!
I already miss you… read more
3 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)
Pierre is a wonderful caring and careful worker, always polite and extremely productive. Although he is worried about his English he is learning well and able to pick up on lots of local lingo. We had some good times and he and another workaway staying at the time were able to work and play (walk the local tracks) together.
Thanks for coming and… read more
Thanks for coming and… read more
(Excellent
)
3 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Pierre) for host
My stay with Mandy and Rob was perfect ! They are really welcoming and they made me feel at home from day one. Very nice accommodation, delicious meals and I liked working in their lovely garden.
I discovered sailing and I fished with them on their great boat. It was amazing.
I will definitely miss this place.
Thank you so much !
I discovered sailing and I fished with them on their great boat. It was amazing.
I will definitely miss this place.
Thank you so much !
16 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
We had a great time with Mandy and Rob. They were very welcoming and have a beautiful home. We also enjoyed playing with their cat and dog! Mandy is a great cook so there were always delicious meals. The work was out in the garden and was mostly planting and weeding, so it wasn’t too difficult. We got to go out on their boat for dinner one night,… read more
15 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Erica and Eve were open and fun workaways. They worked hard weeding and planting out some natives in a gorse cleared area. We enjoyed Erica's family Sweddish meatballs on enight. It was great they found a local friend their own age when they went sailing one night on a friends boat.
I hope you both continue to enjoy NZ.
I hope you both continue to enjoy NZ.
(Very good
)
15 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Nadja)
Nadja was fun and a hard worker. The weeding she and a friend did still remains free of weeds, which shows diligence and thoroughness. They also added value, trimming edges and sweeping my floor without request.
Others in the yacht club enjoyed their company and we all had a good time when the NZ America's Cup team came to Picton.
Thank you Nadja… read more
Others in the yacht club enjoyed their company and we all had a good time when the NZ America's Cup team came to Picton.
Thank you Nadja… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Oct 2017
Left by Workawayer (Nadja) for host
Mandy and Rob were great hosts. It was a big pleasure to have the chance to spend time with both of them and theire crazy little puppy. Their home is beautiful and comfortable and we felt home since the first day. Both are such adorable persons and have a warm character.
The work was quite easy going - we did weeding and replanted local plants to… read more
The work was quite easy going - we did weeding and replanted local plants to… read more
