Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
17 Mar 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 13 days
Feedback
23
Email verified
Badges (3)
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Details
Description
Hi, I’m Simon,
HI
I have a house with a big yard that im going to renovate and make pretty again. its in a nice little suburb about 15 min walk to to shops and 30 min to whangarei center. lots to do, I make sure I take everyone and show them around , I can also pay people if they want to do extra work as Im keen to get the house finished, I have had about 40 people come and stay over the years helping me out with various projects.
simon
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
have a look around the place, will try and do some trips if you stay longer, very relaxed vibe.
Help
mainly doing maintenance, cleaning and organizing stuff, painting and some landscaping too.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: 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
spare rooms (2) for helpers,
What else ...
There is quite a lot to do in whangarei, quarry gardens is great, walks, etc, I usually can drop people off to these..
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Host ref number: 951631936525
Feedback (8)
22 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ramona) for host
I liked my stay with Simon. It was less than 2 weeks, but we managed to do good work within that time and I learned some very useful and cool things from Simon. Jobs were renovating the house inside and clearing out a hedge outside, cutting trees and taking them away. I really liked doing that. Staying with Simon was easy and chill. He made my… read more
1 Jul 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Ramona)
Ramona was a great help for 10 days or more at my place in Whangarei NZ, she is a very hard worker and has plenty of skills and knowledge, we cleared out a hedge, cutting down trees and taking them away and she never complained , just keeped helping, also she is a very low hassle genuine person to have around. I hope she comes back to help again.… read more
(Excellent
)
19 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (François)
Francois is a very nice guy and a very good worker, we got lots done and I think he enjoyed his time exploring whangarei.
he was very flexible about when we worked and was generally a low stress, easy going person to work with and have stay.
all good .
he was very flexible about when we worked and was generally a low stress, easy going person to work with and have stay.
all good .
(Excellent
)
2 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Marina Jimena) for host
Im spend with Simon about 21 days. He was super nice, the company the boat the sailing, the food. He is very simple and humble, honest about the expectations and day work. Open to share and teach u about the sailing. It was an amazing experience.
An awesome partner to sail with!
An awesome partner to sail with!
3 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Marina Jimena)
Marina, joined SV Julie Marie for 2 weeks around florida, she is a very positive, relaxed person, and it was a pleasure to sail and work with her, working and living on a small boat is not for everyone, but it was easy and no drama for her, also she is a very good cook, and did great work cleaning the boat and getting her ready for sale. Very… read more
(Excellent
)
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.5)
22 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ramona) for host
I liked my stay with Simon. It was less than 2 weeks, but we managed to do good work within that time and I learned some very useful and cool things from Simon. Jobs were renovating the house inside and clearing out a hedge outside, cutting trees and taking them away. I really liked doing that. Staying with Simon was easy and chill. He made my… read more
1 Jul 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Ramona)
Ramona was a great help for 10 days or more at my place in Whangarei NZ, she is a very hard worker and has plenty of skills and knowledge, we cleared out a hedge, cutting down trees and taking them away and she never complained , just keeped helping, also she is a very low hassle genuine person to have around. I hope she comes back to help again.… read more
(Excellent)
19 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (François)
Francois is a very nice guy and a very good worker, we got lots done and I think he enjoyed his time exploring whangarei.
he was very flexible about when we worked and was generally a low stress, easy going person to work with and have stay.
all good .
he was very flexible about when we worked and was generally a low stress, easy going person to work with and have stay.
all good .
(Excellent)
2 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Marina Jimena) for host
Im spend with Simon about 21 days. He was super nice, the company the boat the sailing, the food. He is very simple and humble, honest about the expectations and day work. Open to share and teach u about the sailing. It was an amazing experience.
An awesome partner to sail with!
An awesome partner to sail with!
3 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Marina Jimena)
Marina, joined SV Julie Marie for 2 weeks around florida, she is a very positive, relaxed person, and it was a pleasure to sail and work with her, working and living on a small boat is not for everyone, but it was easy and no drama for her, also she is a very good cook, and did great work cleaning the boat and getting her ready for sale. Very… read more
(Excellent)
7 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Jimena Nair)
Jimena joined by boat as crew in spain, and stayed on board for a month, she is very easy to get along with and a good worker too. we sailed to Portugal, and did many trips ashore exploring, she was always able to be flexible with plans, which is important with boat life. She is very serious about crewing on yachts long term, and is very keen to… read more
(Excellent)
6 Nov 2020
Left by Workawayer (Marleen) for host
I had a great time during my stay on the boat with Simon. The sailing was amazing, and going at anchor at sea and on the river was beautiful, being in nature, seeing every sunrise, sunset, wild animals. We also had a wonderful day in Seville. Simon is a super kind and nice person and very easy to spend time with. If you like to go on an adventure,… read more
5 Nov 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Marleen)
Great to have Marlene onboard for about 10 days on the sth coast of Spain. She is very good at picking up the sailing skills, and helping out on board. We only got to do one proper day sailing on the coast because of a lack of wind, but we spent 4 days on the river to Seville. It was very easy to have her stay, she is open minded positive person… read more
(Excellent)
9 Sep 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Anine)
Annie was a great crew crew member, she joined the boat in Porto and sailed for one week with me to Lisbon, Portugal. She had a good trip I think, we had really good sailing weather, and nice trips ashore too. She is very organised and hard working, a actice and positive person who’s is loving here new life in Portugal. And a good cook too.
Cheers… read more
Cheers… read more
(Excellent)
17 Jul 2020
Left by Workawayer (Alessandro) for host
I stayed with Simon for about 2 months over the lockdown. I would recommend everybody to get in touch with Simon and work and live with him. He is extremely generous and he is always willing to help and teach you anything you might need. Living with him was easy as there was always a good balance between work and free time. Furthermore he always… read more
21 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Alessandro)
Alessandro is the most awsome workawayer... he stayed with me for 2 months, during the corona lockdown, luckerly he was the best worker ive ever had to stay, we dug, we sanded, we painted, all at full speed. and probably the best cook too, he can make something great out of anything, or nothing. and generally a positive, helpful , no hassels guy.… read more
(Excellent)
21 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Michkel)
Michkel stayed just 2 days, he had to change his plans beceause of corona, but was helpful and no problems at all to have aroud, a really nice guy.
(Excellent)
21 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Hei & Zoe)
Hei and Zoe stayed about a week at my place in whangarei, and were easy to have around and helped out alot with the house, digging in the garden and cleaning windows etc..and cooking, make an awesome curry too. thanks guys,
Simon
Simon
(Excellent)
10 Mar 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Mélissa)
Melisa came to my house and was a great help , doing hard work digging in the ground and helping out on lots of things with the renovation, a very cool and positive person. unfortunately she had to leave to become a pirate on a ship, but she is welcome back anytime.
Simon
Simon
(Excellent)
30 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Anneliese) for host
The time with Simon has been the best I’ve had in NZ.
We worked great together. I planted my first palm-tree in my life and water the avocados. And in his beautiful house we prepared walls for painting. After that I cleaned the windows. Simon always made sure that I was okay and showed me great places. Thank you for the great time, and I hope I’ll… read more
We worked great together. I planted my first palm-tree in my life and water the avocados. And in his beautiful house we prepared walls for painting. After that I cleaned the windows. Simon always made sure that I was okay and showed me great places. Thank you for the great time, and I hope I’ll… read more
26 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Anneliese)
Lisa was the perfect guest, we worked together on my house with a Slovenian guy, and got lots done, she is very conscientious and a great help, and as we took turns cooking the meals we discovered she is very good at cooking too..
Lisa stayed for 4 days, and it was a very cool time, she is good to have around and is really enjoying her travelling… read more
Lisa stayed for 4 days, and it was a very cool time, she is good to have around and is really enjoying her travelling… read more
(Excellent)
17 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Freddyjuul)
Frederikke
Is a very easy person to have as crew, no problems with her at all, always able to do what ever jobs was asked, and although she had limited sailing experience before joining, she proved to be good and reliable, and able to steer the boat well. She is a very relaxed and easy going person.
Simon
Is a very easy person to have as crew, no problems with her at all, always able to do what ever jobs was asked, and although she had limited sailing experience before joining, she proved to be good and reliable, and able to steer the boat well. She is a very relaxed and easy going person.
Simon
(Excellent)
17 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Lea)
Lea was an excellent crew member on my boat, she would be a good sailor I think.
She picked up skills very quickly, has a very good work ethic, She is very practical and and engaging person who is level headed beyond her years. Excellent crew.
Simon
She picked up skills very quickly, has a very good work ethic, She is very practical and and engaging person who is level headed beyond her years. Excellent crew.
Simon
(Excellent)
11 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolas)
Nicolas
Was an excellent crew member, he had a good beginner knowledge of sailing already, which was very helpful, he was low key and relaxed, usually I don’t have 2 crew at once, but with Lea and Nicolas it was easy , a no stress. He was always a availabl for work, good at cleaning up, and at sea, and help with food costs, which was great. A
Also… read more
Was an excellent crew member, he had a good beginner knowledge of sailing already, which was very helpful, he was low key and relaxed, usually I don’t have 2 crew at once, but with Lea and Nicolas it was easy , a no stress. He was always a availabl for work, good at cleaning up, and at sea, and help with food costs, which was great. A
Also… read more
(Excellent)
7 Oct 2019
Left by Workawayer (Nicolas) for host
I stayed with Simon on his boat Julie Marie for 1 week and it was so cool!
Thank you very much Simon, the kiwi man of all the oceans. It was really good to discover more about sailing, life on a boat, calm life and beauty of the sea. We also saw some dolphins playing with the boat in my first day, magic!!
Simon is very kind, cultivated,… read more
Thank you very much Simon, the kiwi man of all the oceans. It was really good to discover more about sailing, life on a boat, calm life and beauty of the sea. We also saw some dolphins playing with the boat in my first day, magic!!
Simon is very kind, cultivated,… read more
20 Sep 2019
Left by Workawayer (Luke) for host
Had a great time with Simon sailing from England to the south of France. Taught me a lot and gave me plenty of time at the helm. When we weren't sailing we had a lot of fun and some great conversations. Would recommend and would definitely sail again with him again.
20 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Luke)
Luke was able to join my yacht at short notice, and the next dat we sailed 24 hrs straight from uk to France, so he was given a big test straight away, but all went well and he stayed on for another 2 weeks, during which time we sailed down the whole french coast. Luke is good fun to have around , plays a good guitar, and was there to help me with… read more
(Excellent)
20 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jacqueline) for host
