IRD Update - November 24, 2016

If you have read the November update from IRD you will see they are reminding people about providing food and accommodation in return for work. We’ve had some people ask us how this affects them as WWOOF hosts. The term “gain or reward” has been around for some time – it’s the government saying that not all people are paid with money. Sometimes payment is accommodation, food, travel, services etc. The difference with WWOOF is that WWOOFers are not supposed to be employees, they go to hosts to live and learn on an organic property, learn about volunteering, maybe even learn how to run and manage an organic farm or… Read More

What I Learned from WWOOFing - October 6, 2016

Read Laura Flower‘s post in the Wasatch Community Gardens Blog What I learned from WWOOFing in New Zealand  

WWOOFer / Host appreciation – paying it forward - September 15, 2016

  This is an opportunity for you to show your appreciation to your outstanding WWOOFers, and WWOOFers to do the same for their favourite hosts!  We’ve all had them and you know what I’m talking about.  Below a few WWOOFer and host quotes to get you thinking: The atmosphere was simply perfect!! Our stay was way too short and we wish we could have stayed longer! Thank you so much for your amazing hospitality, the fun times and friendship!! I felt absolutely comfortable, home and welcome in a way I have not felt on my travels before. I don’t think it gets better than this, she is endlessly kind, patient,… Read More

Bulk messaging / no replies - September 13, 2016

We understand that WWOOFers emailing hosts and then not replying when hosts respond can be an issue for hosts. The problem arises when WWOOFers send messages to a number of hosts and then receive a number of positive responses. After deliberating for a few days they will pick the host they like best and confirm only with them without letting the other hosts know that they wish to decline their offer. This is understandably frustrating for hosts. On the other hand a WWOOFer may read a number of host profiles, spend time writing a personal message tailored to one particular host, and then not receive a reply at all or maybe… Read More

Cultural Exchange update - September 12, 2016

All new hosts are given clear definitions of WWOOF and Cultural Exchange and are taken through a series of questions to determine which program is most suitable for them.  At next year’s renewal date you will be given the opportunity to go through those questions to ensure we have you listed in the right program. You know what you can offer far better than we do! Just to clarify, a cultural exchange does happen with both programmes and it is a very important part of the experience. The difference comes in that WWOOF is a more specialised group which offers organic learning opportunities. Below are the definitions, if you are… Read More

Safe WWOOF Farms and the New HSWA Act - August 9, 2016

With the recent changes to The Health and Safety At Work Act 2015 (HSWA), we really wanted to make sure that we understood our obligations as an organisation and also make sure that we could answer your questions and give simple advice and guidelines. This got us thinking about the health and safety of our WWOOFers, and that it isn’t just about what WorkSafe wants us to do, but more about what each of us can do to keep our WWOOFers safe. For safe WWOOF farms we recommend: 1. Identify hazards on your farm 2. Protect people from the hazards 3. Educate every new visitor about the hazards For Step… Read More

Things I Wish I Told My WWOOFer - May 20, 2016

Hi Hosts and WWOOFers! After many months in the making we now have the Guide “Things I wish I told my WWOOFer … ‘ It has grown from being a simple guide to WWOOFing to a collection of true stories with lots of hints and tips for both hosts and WWOOFers.  The aim is to educate, inspire and help in making the WWOOF exchange successful for all involved! Enjoy

WWOOFing and cycle touring New Zealand - February 4, 2016

Here is another very interesting and inspiring experience by two American WWOOFers who cycled and WWOOFed around New Zealand.  I love reading and sharing these!  Please keep those stories and images coming!  Below Kristen and Jeff’s story: The idea to travel from America to cycletour and WWOOF in New Zealand blossomed from an afternoon looking at an atlas and making excited movements with our arms, into actual plane tickets and taking care of the things you have to do in life to make such an adventure possible. We wanted to experience New Zealand in a deeper, more meaningful way than the average traveller. I was quitting my job to do… Read More

Office update January 2016 - January 29, 2016

It seems like Christmas and New Year is ages ago already and it’s all business as usual here in the office. Just a few quick updates: We have received some great photos and updates from the grant recipients.  It’s really exciting to see what has been done with the help of their WWOOFers.  We are looking to hopefully offer more grant opportunities this year. The skills section has had a bit of an issue recently by displaying expired members in searches – this has been fixed! And lastly, we are aware that the website is not displaying correctly on some devices and for slow internet connections.  We have been working… Read More

It was in Springs Junction, middle of nowhere or heart of everything? -

This is the response I received from a WWOOFer when we asked for ideas and stories for the Guide  – some times I just love my job ♥ Just a few words that will hardly describe those three weeks spent in a small hand-built wooden house in center-south New Zealand Mountain. The place is amazing, the nature around, the mountains are so beautiful, forests and rivers you feel you are the first to walk on and contemplate. Water comes from a stream, so delicious and pure, electricity is out of a few solar panels. No phone coverage, you quickly get used to that. This place seems to attract highly interesting,… Read More

Grant project update 2015 - January 9, 2016

The Garden Bed Walls Project at Arohanui We are fortunate enough to have been offered a grant by WWOOF NZ to support the development of our garden bed walls project. We are Michael and Jocelyn McKenzie and we live in the Kaipara, Te Tai Tokerau. Our project together started just over six years ago when we moved onto our 10 acre property. The first thing we did (even before building a whare) was to start cultivating the soil, double-digging clay heavy soil to begin the process of introducing fertility to the earth in which we can now grow nutrient dense food. Six years on our gardens are super productive.  … Read More