updated   Last minute

Help our family care for the animals on our lifestyle block outside Christchurch, New Zealand

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    UPDATE - We are now both working so our requirements have changed! We need Workawayers to stay from November 3rd to November 16th to do school runs, walk the dog and do a bit of weeding. You must have your own vehicle, have reviews on Workaway (you will be home alone much of the time) and be good with kids! We will reimburse your petrol (its only 3km each way to school). No problem if you cannot commit to the whole time, however we would need stays to be at least a week. Every little helps! We have availability from now although the urgent requirement isn't until November 3.

    We are a family of 4 (two girls aged 11 and 13), recently returned to NZ after 16 years in the UK - now home 4 years and settled back into Kiwi life on a 4ha lifestyle block in West Melton. We spent 2018/2019 travelling Europe and Africa in an old Land Rover, and to be honest are missing regular interactions and sharing crazy travel stories with likeminded global roamers such as ourselves! We are working towards being as self sufficient as possible, raising our own animals and crops as much as possible.. it's an ongoing project! We have a self contained studio flat for Workawayers on the property, however we would expect Workawayers to integrate into family life as much as possible. Obviously being good with kids and animals is a must! Unfortunately due to our location we can only accept Workawayers who have their own vehicles.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    House sitting
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    As a family we are extremely well travelled (47 countries in 2018/2019) and love meeting people from new (and old) countries. We would expect travellers to integrate into our family life, and maybe pass on a few good recipes!

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    We are slowly knocking the property into shape, so there is always work helping set up gardens, weeding, general garden maintenance, animal feeding, household domestic tasks, cooking the odd meal as well as some childminding of two young girls... and there is generally a project of some description on the go. In school holidays little bit of house sitting would be fantastic, so we can get away with the kids (having animals to feed, there must always be someone here...). We have pigs, ducks, hens, meat chickens, sheep and quite a few bees - as well as two cats and a dog who think they own the place. We are flexible about how your hours are used - as long as they get done, you can plan them around other activities.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a self contained flat for Workaway use, however occasionally we may need you to stay inside the main house (in the guest room). When the family is around, we will all eat together (we would love the opportunity to try new meals, but in general we will cook for you - unless you are especially talented in the kitchen of course!). We are an omnivorous family, so vegan/vegetarian travellers won't really work for us - but we are open to the occasional plant based meal. We bake our own bread so gluten intolerance is also a bit tricky for us to cater for. The entire property is served with wifi, inside and out, however mobile reception is not good unless in or near the main house (we have a signal booster, but it has limited range). We have just finished installing a new 11m saltwater, heated pool... obviously it won't be available in the winter months, but for half the year it's pretty good! There is also a Concept2 rowing machine available for use for anyone that way inclined.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    West Melton is a rural town, located around 35 minutes from Central Christchurch by car, and there is a VERY basic bus service running from Rolleston (around 10 minutes drive to the bus stop). There is a winery 100m from our front gate. The airport is around a 20 minute drive. We are located about an hours drive from the major Canterbury skifields, and there is plenty of hiking (and fishing) in Canterbury. We are non-smoking, and would expect our Workawayers to be so as well. We enjoy good food, and probably a little too much beer and wine (we brew our own beer). A word of warning - like many rural properties in NZ, we have a problem with rabbits... this we control by occasionally hunting (and eating) them. The lambs and ducks on the property are processed on site periodically and are highly likely to appear on your plate, alongside hunted wild venison - If this bothers you, we may not be appropriate hosts! With bees, cats, a dog and lots of flowering trees on site, it is important that anyone suffering from allergies has the appropriate medication (and lets us know in advance). Given our location we require that Workawayers have their own transport. Experience has taught us that we aren't a good fit for people without their own vehicle...

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    There is a strong wifi signal covering the entire property, and we have an unlimited data package.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have heaps of secure parking, and a very well equipped workshop. Having repeatedly fixed our Land Rover in very difficult conditions in Africa, Phil is also able to assist and/or offer advice on many mechanical issues.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 698894182773

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