Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Oct 2024
Reply rate
87.8 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
88
Email verified
Badges (2)
Find your perfect host
Details
Description
Hi there, thanks for visiting our page!
*We're flattered to have been favourited over 800 times on this website (*over 500 active users). Our aim is to be the #1 awesome Workaway experience in NZ - please check out the feedback*
In brief:
Sunny, elevated and spacious 44 acre section, fully off-grid paradise
Panoramic views over Motueka river and Tasman Bay, from The Marlborough Sounds to the Abel Tasman National Park (you can see the peaks of the Nelson Lakes National Park too)
12kms from central Motueka / 12kms from the golden beaches of Kaiteriteri / 16kms from Marahau
Great mobile reception and fast internet
Backs onto Kahurangi National Park - endless trails for walking/hiking/mountain biking right here
Swim in the clean Motueka River just a few mins away
Close to vineyards, skydiving, cycle trails, etc. - so much to do around here.
No smokers pleaseTypes of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is a mission-based project - we're returning land back to it's pre-human state, replanting the original endemic native tree species, and bringing back the birdsong.
Fully off-grid living, self-sufficiency, wild edibles/foraging, growing native trees from seed/ seedlings/ cuttings, tree release, planting, setting and maintaining traplines, trapping invasive wild animals (the ones that eat the native birds or their eggs)
Most of all you'll learn about conservation, restoration, NZ native birds and trees (if you want to), also more broadly, yin yoga, reiki, zumba, theta, forest bathing, meditation, breathing etc. for those that are interested.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We're on a mission - slowly turning 44 acres back to native forest, eradicating predators, bringing the birdsong back, opening up access paths and growing our own locally-sourced native trees. We've planted around 12,500 native trees over the last 4 years in a large-scale, long-term and ongoing project.
We're looking for chilled, positive, fit, conservation-minded people (*prefer couples or single guys) for up to 2 weeks for:
Light track maintenance, felling small wilding pines (handsaw only), some gardening, some planting, checking traplines, watering baby trees in our small nursery, we have some art projects too.
During rainy days in winter we'd appreciate help with cooking housekeeping work, childcare if you love children and spending time with them.
*If you plan to stay May-September (our winter), it's hardcore native tree-planting time!
*Please note: We would prefer global people who have an active interest in: restoration projects, nature, wildlife, being outdoors, yoga and fitness, climate activism, self-sufficiency, spirituality, self-awareness, positive living (rather than "it looks like a nice place")
*Please remember: *You need to supply and cook your own food - we do not cook for guests* +++ * please be water wise - we are fully off grid and water usage is limited in the summer if dry*Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
Keen on brushing up French and German, but all people welcome here!Accommodation
Luxury powered TIPI (November-April) with king-size double bed, OR double bedroom in house (all year). Cook for yourself (with your own food) in our shared kitchen, our outdoor kitchen, or try out our sun ovens.
When things get busy in the hotter summer months, we have tents in private, shady sites close to the house, or parking for vans if you prefer sleeping there.
Whatever the accomodation, you'll have:
- shower, loo and bathroom in the main house (shared with other guests who are staying with us, a 50 metre walk away from the tipi/tent sites)
- full use of shared kitchen with solar-powered induction cookers / sun ovens
- a chill-out zone in a converted barn with shared fridge and sofas open 24hrs
- a converted writing shed next to the tipi with desk and table for writing that novel
- a large purpose-built elevated meditation platform for forest-bathing amongst old-growth native trees
- an amphitheatre for spontaneous performance, 5-side football and more
- access to large indoor yoga/dance studio
- full use of all gardens, orchards and walking tracks around the whole property (they will keep you fit!)
- 2 x complementary kayaks, 1 x mountain bike yours to use anytimeWhat else ...
About me:
Now a single dad with 2 awesome kids (every other week), 10 and 7, one friendly old Huntaway/Kelpie X dog.
Things that make us buzz: trees, forest bathing, regenerating native forest, yin yoga, surfing, writing, fitness, meditation, hiking, wild edibles, self-sufficiency, living life to its fullest, positive mindset etc. and providing the best Workawayer experience that we can possibly provide.
Best to have your own transport as there's no bus service, and we are 15kms from town.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Digital nomads most welcome, happy for you to run your gig from here. After all, this is exactly what we do too. Strong internet here! We're experienced in business startups and do global business every day from here.
Space for parking camper vans
You're most welcome to stay in your own camper van, we have lots of space - *please note we have an epic driveway which is steep in places, but no problem for 2WD.
Can possibly accept pets
Absolutely NO CATS please because we have lots of native birds. Well trained dogs welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum only 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (33)
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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
We learned a lot about native trees and birds in NZ with Ollie and planted around 500 trees (Séquoia, Mahoe, Nikau). What a pleasure for us to help with this amazing project to rebuild a native forest and get rid of the pest. We also… read more
I was really lucky because Ollie lent me some tools and gave me a really nice space to work on my van on my free time, which was very handy for me and I'm really grateful.
I had the… read more
We had an amazing time every single day of this 10 day stay and felt like a part of this family. We would love to come again… read more
Ollie knows so much about the nature and it is so inspiring to see how knowledge and love for nature… read more
Communication with both of them was super easy. Nat picked me up in Motueka and I felt welcomed from the start. The kids were open-minded as well and I really… read more
E&T
I did in Zumba and Yoga with Nath, it was very cool… read more
I stayed with the family in their lovely house on top of a hill. Stunning view over the forest which I was able to contribute a small part in reforesting with planting trees. This wasn't anything like work. You walk on small paths threw a beautiful piece of nature, you hear the birds… read more
To understand how important to restore the native nature, to see the nature change (in a good way!!) by our hands is priceless.
Ollie and Nat are so kind and open-minded. We had some really good talks about everything.
Don't hesite and go to help Ollie and Nat to… read more
They really like having Workawayers and they were very pleased to make their… read more
Kind regards… read more
We had a lot of interesting and fun conversations about a lot of different areas in life. We also learned a lot about New Zealand and it's wildlife and plants. About Foresting and Trees in general.
They also helped us out when we were in trouble with our car.
We enjoyed every… read more
This was a source of motivation for the work we did there.
We can only highly recommend this workaway.
Thank and we hope we ll see… read more
The time worked is less than 2 hours a day.
The meditation platform is right in the middle of the forest, quite exceptional!