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21 Sep 2024
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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
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHouse sittingCultural 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
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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
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 ...
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
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
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
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?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (24)
The work: I gave a helping hand around the garden by manual work or also using power tools to keep the property in a nice shape over the winter. The work varies a lot and there is something to do for everyone. Some days were… read more
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The work: I gave a helping hand around the garden by manual work or also using power tools to keep the property in a nice shape over the winter. The work varies a lot and there is something to do for everyone. Some days were… read more
We would… read more
Phil is a great cooker! The meat from the lands was delicious. The whole family is very… read more
Thank you for having me!
We loved hearing about their travel adventures in Africa while having one of Phil's self brewed beers / cider and… read more
A lot of the work was weeding with a good podcast on enjoying the outdoors. The girls are delightful,… read more
Everything was perfect. Especially Phil's cooking and beer! And the private house we stayed in and the pool and chickens, ducks, cats and most of all, the GIRLS!
We loved to spend time with them in the pool, playing games or just chatting at dinner.
Job is… read more
Their home is set on a beautiful piece of land with a lot of nature to enjoy. I had my own flat to stay in which was super cozy and comfortable. The kids are super sweet and I had a lot of fun playing with them! Everybody was really great to talk to, they… read more
They introduced us into their family wonderfully and allowed us to live comfortably alongside them like as much as we wanted. They also provided us with a homely self-contained apartment to… read more