Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Sep 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
18
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are Jack and Hadassah Jones. We are an international couple. Jack is English, spent many years in Germany and married Hadassah who is a Kiwi. Hadassah grew up in Papua New Guinea, has an American accent but is a New Zealander. We both have travelled a lot and enjoy people from other cultures.
Jack is 55 years old and works for a kiwi fruit business as the workshop manager.
Hadassah is 50 years old and is sort of in-between things.
We enjoy people from all walks of life, religion and cultures and hold to the importance of respect.
We have a religious family background which has definitely impacted on our lives but we are not overly religious ourselves. We do give thanks for our meals.
We are non-smokers and mostly non-drinkers. You are welcome to provide your own alcohol but prefer non-smokers
The one thing we might seem a bit quirky about is that we like to have our shower squeegeed down and wiped after each shower. Just to stop water stains.
We really enjoyed having workawayers and enjoy conversations, showing people around when we can and providing a nice place to stay.
Also we have black ducks as our pets. They are very much a part of our lives. So hopefully you don't mind ducks because one of them comes inside for a visit. They can be messy but I try very hard to keep things clean. They are pretty adorable and if you stay with us, you will then forever after notice ducks everywhere. :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Pets
Culture
Self development
Movies & TV
Books
Writing
Photography
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Animals
Outdoor activities
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
It seems that when travelling if you are able to stay with local people, you gain a greater knowledge of the area, the way people live and what life is truly like for the people living there. When you are a tourist travelling through and only visiting tourist sites you don't really formulate a true picture of what that place is like.
I think living with us will give you a picture of NZ life. What daily life looks life, what issues kiwi's are facing, how we approach life. We also have local knowledge of places to see and things to do that might not be on the typical tourist route.
Help
We are looking for help with a few different things
We are creating a duck pond but it isn't such a small project. (This is the ongoing, never ending project, the kind you know will be great when finished but also wonder why you even started it. LOL) This is a specialized pond that should filter the water naturally to keep it clean. We have all the materials for it now and it is quite involved. We need some muscle power to help with the creation of this pond. We have to lift large rocks into place, create a waterfall and fill in all the gaps with stones. So if you want a project you can get stuck into this could be it. We would work on this project with you as it will require team work.
We need to clear the overgrown grass and weeds first, before we try build it up.
I also have loads of jobs in the garden from very simple to more complicated. Some will take minutes and others hours. Also if you like to be a bit creative I might have some projects for you.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Our spare bedroom fits one person comfortably. It can fit two but will be a bit tighter. It is a comfortable bedroom, bright and cheerful.
Our house is warm and comfortable, it isn't large but very comfortable.
Food will be provided, non-fussy eaters are always welcome, but we will do our best to provide for peoples food restrictions and preferences within reason. We are not vegetarian and so not overly experienced in cooking vegetarian food.
Because of where we live having your own transport would be very helpful. We are in a small town that only runs basic bus services, so if you want to really get out exploring having a car to do so would really help. We can tell you of heaps of places to visit.
I am happy to drop you off at the bus station if that helps. I am sure you can catch a bus to Waitamo caves or Hobbiton if you want to.
What else ...
We live in a small area called Kihikihi a suburb of Te Awamuta. We are very centrally placed for tourist activities. We are about 40 minute drive from Waitomo Caves. Another 40 minutes in a different direction to Hobbiton. We are about 1 hours drive from Kawhia, Raglan, Rotorua, & Mt Maunganui.
We have a good knowledge of places to go, local hikes, rock climbing, swimming, caving activities for the area. We might even take you out ourselves if the timing works. We do love to share our local awesome spots.
I am sure we could fill-up your time off with places to visit.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a couple of spots for campervans to park.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Beetroot, Parsnip, Pumpkin and Radish
Breed called Cayuga ...The original black ducks.
We have four entertaining ducks. Beetroot is my little duck soul mate. We have a very tight bond.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
They where easy to get along with friendly, accommodating and fun.
We really enjoyed their company, help, and learning… read more
The work involved helping Hadassah in her beautiful garden — transferring mulch, digging up weed mats, pruning, and moving materials… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
They where easy to get along with friendly, accommodating and fun.
We really enjoyed their company, help, and learning… read more
The work involved helping Hadassah in her beautiful garden — transferring mulch, digging up weed mats, pruning, and moving materials… read more
There was some… read more
I am thankful for their help in the garden as well.
I enjoyed chatting with Jette, you are a very lovely person.
Have wonderful travels.
I also enjoyed the game nights.
Thanks for the help guys and hope you are having a fantastic time.
Hadassah cooked great dishes and we ate every meal together.
They have very cute ducks and ducklings that are so trusting.
Our task was painting the cabin in the garden, but… read more
Definitely worth having Tom come and stay.
We really hope they have a great time in New Zealand and loads… read more
You are a lovely person Vi and thanks for all your help. Have wonderful adventures in NZ.
Thanks for everything and all the best!
He fitted in so well with us, felt like he was part of our family. We wish him all the best on his travels and future.
