About us

We are in our early 60s. Husband is a carpenter and farmer. Wife is languages teacher and rns the luxury lodge which is our home in this amazing landscape. We are hard working, no-nonsense, very practical country people. One of us has travelled all over the world, the other not much. We have two dogs, one cat and 60 chickens, plus cattle and sheep. We are not religious. We are flexible about the hours you work max 25 a week but not necessarily 5 a day for 5 days. Soemtimes it is more practical to do a full day once and less or nothing another. We are not slave drivers but we do not tolerate lazy people either.

My place

Totally rural location at the feet of Mt Hutt inthe beautiful South Island of NZ. No neighbours and no public transport. We have 30 acres here (half garden and half paddocks) and another 270 in two separate blocks nearby. We are making a native trees reserve on our river boundary which also has a wetland. The homestead and outbuildings are of historical significance, as are the gardens. This is a totally rural location with a strong community despite the distances. Nearest village is Methven to the south (30km), or Darfield to the north (29 km). Methven is our ski village, lots of ubs etc. Nearest big city is Christchurch, 70 km.

Projects

Looking for helpers, single or a couple or 2 friends together, energetic, for all sorts of tasks in country life: gardening, vege garden firewood, help in our native trees reserve, feed chickens and dogs, possibly help with painting a cottage and sheds, some household chores and general tidying up around the property. If you have real carpentry skills and experience, we would love to have you, there are many projects going here. Our home is a heritage property and we want to preserve it well. We are almost 100% organic , have bees too, cattle and some sheep. Good English speakers, long term stayers preferred, we look for helpers year round. We have had helpers from various parts of the world for many years now and we really enjoy meeting people. Our children have left home, we have grandchildren, one of us is a teacher of languages, the other a builder and farmer and we own/operate a luxury lodge. We welcome people who will really engage and tune in with what we are doing here, rather than be here on a 'casual holiday' or using us as a cheap way of living while working on your own business online giving priority to that instead of what we do here. If you are squeamish or 'delicate' this is not the place for you, we are in the country, totally rural NZ high country.

Accommodation

You will stay in your own cottage or independent section of the house and eat great food with us, live as part of the family. Free unlimited internet, tv etc . We have great views of Mt Hutt and Alps. We are 45 mins from Christchurch and 25 to Mt Hutt skifields. Great tourist area area here with bush walks, rivers (the mighty Rakaia) lakes etc. You will need transport as we are totally rural. uir village is Methven on on side, or Darfield in the other.