The image depicts a spacious room with a wooden ceiling, featuring a large table, couches, windows, and a stained glass skylight, set against a serene outdoor backdrop.
The image depicts a serene scene of a house with a large yard, featuring a tree and a fence, set against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and a grassy field.
The image depicts a group of people standing together, with a mix of men and women, all dressed in casual attire, posing for a photo, conveying a sense of unity and camaraderie.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with a few buildings visible in the distance, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
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Help our family with gardening or earth building Whangaroa Harbour in the Far North of New Zealand

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We're a family of four (children are 15 and 17 years old) living on a beautiful property with stunning views overlooking Whangaroa Harbour in the Far North of New Zealand. We have a small and simple off-grid set up, and live surrounded by native bush.

    We are building an earth and straw bale roundhouse, and have vegetable gardens to tend to, so have plenty of work that needs to be done around the property! If you have an interest in natural building then we'd love to share our knowledge and experience, but there is also garden and general work to do around the property.

    In return for 4 hours work per person per day, we'll provide a lovely modern caravan accommodation, along with 3 meals a day of great home cooked vegetarian food. You're welcome to cook your own non-veggie food in our kitchen if you wish. We also have Wifi.

    If you stay with us for a week or more, we offer one full day off per week.

    We have an outside composting toilet and an outside shower, and meals will be with us in our timber cabin. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful and secluded spot, and our place will suit people wanting to be close to nature.

    The Whangaroa area has many beautiful beaches and stunning bush walks to explore, just a short drive away. And we're only 35 minutes from Kerikeri if you wish to explore the Bay of Islands. Or head north from us to visit Cape Reinga and the Te Pake sand dunes.

    We are Jon and Viki, both 44, and we have two homeschooled children - Abby, 17 and Quinn, 15. We also have 2 cats, and a dog for further company! Jon is a qualified homeopath and enjoys playing the guitar and piano. Viki enjoys sewing, macrame, flax waving, crochet and other crafts. We both have a keen interest in permaculture and organic gardening, and enjoy sharing our skills and experience with visitors.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We can share with you various earth building techniques (cob, straw bale, cordwood, light earth, earth plaster, lime plater, living roof) and homesteading off-grid (power, water, etc).

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    It would be great if you have experience in earth building! Otherwise, experience with garden machinery (lawnmower, weed eater) and gardening generally would be really useful.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Modern caravan as a bedroom. Outdoor shower. Outdoor composting toilet. Limited WiFi. Comfortable but basic!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The Whangaroa area has many beautiful beaches and stunning bush walks to explore, just a short drive away. And we're only 35 minutes from Kerikeri if you wish to explore the Bay of Islands. Or head north from us to visit Cape Reinga and the Te Pake sand dunes.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 167826428348

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Photos

The image depicts a serene scene of a house with a large yard, featuring a tree and a fence, set against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and a grassy field.
The image depicts a group of people standing together, with a mix of men and women, all dressed in casual attire, posing for a photo, conveying a sense of unity and camaraderie.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with a few buildings visible in the distance, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
The image depicts a spacious room with a wooden ceiling, featuring a large table, couches, windows, and a stained glass skylight, set against a serene outdoor backdrop.

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