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How it started: FHiNZ began in 1994, with the Grady family and a neighbour deciding to offer free farmstays on their farms to visitors who wanted to help in exchange for meals, beds and so on. The idea was to treat visitors like one of the family so that they could experience the real Kiwi farming way of life and join in both the highs and lows of living on a farm. Today there are over 100 farms, most of whom continue to offer the free farmstays. | |
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Finding a farm: Remember that the farms in the tourist areas get a lot of calls, so you may be disappointed if you only call Auckland or Queenstown. Call before 8am or 6pm-8pm. Most farmers are out farming during the day and your call may go unanswered. If calling from overseas, please check the difference in time. If you change your plans and don't go to a farm, it is polite to call and say this and it allows the farm to accept other callers. Farmers have left the scheme because they have gone to town to meet visitors who didn't turn up. Read the FHiNZ booklet carefully If you do not speak English well, do not call farms that say 'Limited English: No' as you will not be hosted. Farms cannot generally take bookings more than 1 month ahead. Do not write/fax farms with 'Advance bookings: No' more than 2 weeks ahead as they will not reply. Increasing numbers of visitors are booking many farms in advance then not coming and farms are turning away other callers believing they are already booked. An addressed envelope helps the farmer with foreign addresses. |
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On arrival Your hosts will show you the home and parts of the farm. They will ask to see your membership book and for a contact address and phone number in case of an accident. Ask if there is anything you don't understand. Please respect their children's right to their parents attention and home, as young children often find visitors scary at first. Ask what you should do in an emergency, which neighbour to call first for help etc. Meals You must be prepared to help with meal preparation, dishes and other household chores as you are making extra for the family. Always ask what you can do to help. Water Some farms rely on rainfall for household water. Ask and save water whenever you can. Ask when to shower, wash clothes etc so that there is enough hot water for everyone. English If you cannot speak English well, you should go with someone who can. The new health and safety rules mean that farms will not take people who cannot understand dangers when they are being shown or explained them. Farm work You will be helping the farm on average 4 to 6 hours per day. Each farm sets its own rules and time limits to fit their needs. If you think a farm was unfair, please tell us about it so we can check it out. You will be given jobs that you can do yourself, or you will help the farmer with their jobs depending on the weather and season. Some jobs will be dirty, others boring but that is all part of farm life. Gifts Many farms go to a lot of trouble for their visitors. A small shared family gift, such as chocolate or a thank you card is welcome. Be sure to fill in the visitor book, as farms like to keep in touch. Children especially welcome a postcard or letter from overseas. Complaints If you have a problem with any part of FHiNZ, call, write or fax so that we can fix it for others. Remember that the scheme is voluntary and relies on good will from all. Sorry, we can't fix the weather! Advertising We are always looking for visitors to leave FHiNZ brochures in hostels etc around the world. If you are able to help with this, please call and we will send 20 to you. The booklet Every farm was contacted in March 2000 and asked to check their listing for accuracy. The booklet contains the latest listing we have and we believe that all these farms are still taking part in FHiNZ. Call us if you find any who are not. Have a great stay Warwick and Heather | |
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Farm Helpers in New Zealand
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