Harriet

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello!
I am a 23 year old female New Zealander, travelling Europe from May 2025 until around the end of the year.

I am a wildlife ecologist and herpetologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in ecology, a Master of Science degree in ecology, and a Diploma in wildlife management. I've done lots of work and volunteering for various wildlife programmes and institutes, mainly in New Zealand but also in Ecuador and Borneo.

I love working outdoors and working with animals. I grew up on an off-grid lifestyle block with a dog, donkeys, sheep, chickens, and cats. I have worked as a gardener and landscaper, and I love doing hands-on work. I have lots of experience looking after farm animals and pets, volunteering for a donkey sanctuary for many years, and I have always lived around pets. Growing up off-grid, I am not afraid to live simply or get my hands dirty!

I am an artist and love drawing, painting, and silversmithing. I also surf, and love outdoor activities like hiking, which I do a lot for my work as an ecologist. My family are musicians (blues, folk, and classical) and artists, and I love live music.

I love meeting new people, learning new skills, and gaining new experiences, and I am extremely excited for the experiences to come this year!

Interests

DIY & crafts

Self development

Politics / Social justice

Writing

Photography

Cycling

Events & social

Dancing

Plant care

Farming

Nature

Outdoor activities

Van life

Water sports

Sustainability

Pets

Mountain

Music

Hiking

Gardening

History

Drawing & painting

Culture

Books

Camping

Cooking & food

Beach

Art & design

Animals

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent

More details about my language interests
I am only fluent in English, but keen to learn the basics of any country I am in!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

Being an elderly companion

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Charity Work

Art Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

House sitting

More details about your skills

I am a professional wildlife ecologist and have done work with a range of native wildlife in New Zealand, particularly lizards and birds. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in ecology, a Diploma in wildlife management, and a Masters of Science in ecology.

I grew up on an off-grid lifestyle block, and worked with dogs, donkeys, sheep, chickens, and cats. I volunteered for a donkey sanctuary for many years, looking after multiple rescue donkeys at once.

I have worked as a gardener and a landscaper, and love doing hands-on work including gardening, repairing, painting, and other basic landcare. I have housesat in New Zealand, looking after two cats and a big garden for three weeks on Waiheke Island.

I love working with animals, wildlife, and plants, but I also love meeting new people and learning new skills. I am fit, active, and keen to help out with projects, look after animals, tend to gardens, and general maintenance and upkeep of land, buildings, and animals.

I have great communication skills and love to learn about local culture and customs. I both love being around people, experiencing music, culture, and games, but I am also very capable and happy working alone. I have lots of experience working with animals and wildlife by myself for extended periods of time. For one example, I spent three months by myself in remote forests of New Zealand for my Masters of Science, where I radio-tracked native geckos to better understand their ecology for conservation purposes.

Age

23

What else ...

I love learning new games, physical games, board games, and I love card games! I love doing art and seeing art, and will happily sit and draw for hours and hours. I love to read, cook, chat, and I love surfing and skateboarding. Being from New Zealand I love hiking and the outdoors. I am keen to learn new games, hobbies, and skills!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  antibiotic amoxicillin

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  Special dietary requirements
  No dietary requirements