Volunteer
Hidden Valley Farm relies on sharing our experiences with others who want to contribute their time or services and help either on a one off, occasional or boarding experience.
What is volunteering?
A volunteer within an organisation is a person who freely offers to perform tasks or services needed to assist the logistics of running shuch an establishment to flourish without financial reward.
At Hidden Valley Farm we are grateful to people who choose to give up their time to join our team, caring for the lifestyle pets left in our care and managing the land that role requires. The enthusiasm our helpers bring drives our goal to become self-sufficient and to minimise our environmental footprint.
We’re looking for someone
Winter volunteering opportunity
We are looking for a keen live-in volunteer to join us as part of our winter team from April to October 2026. The role includes your own room with the Everett family & 3 meals a day.
Get in touch →A day on the farm
What should I expect?
Expect to get involved in our lifestyle, which is pretty laid back. Normally a 10.am start for animal husbandry which is priority. Then we will have a project that suits your skills and ability and then afternoon animal husbandry completes the day.
Volunteers who stay with us are expected to take part in normal home jobs, such as cooking, washing up, hoovering etc. Your room, beds and bathroom are your responsibility and should be left clean and tidy for our next volunteer. Other than that enjoy our big and abundent space and you can always cuddle our pets.
What do I get in return?
To volunteer is an opportunity to gain new and unexpected experiences. The feel good factor of helping others is rewarding in itself but you will gain so much more than you can imagine. many of our global helpers have commented on life changing apiphanies and return to the farm again and again because it feels so welcoming.
If you are staying in exchange we do offer basic off grid accommodation or camping (depending on availability) and nagotiate meals depending on the time spent volunteering, However we do expect no less than 4/6 hours a day for those staying for a working holiday.
Day visitors you will enjoy a cuppa and a good old banter, you might get to take home some eggs, as well as your dirty boots.
Good to know
You will be given a safety briefing on arrival, this will be enforced throughout your stay.
Water, power and laundry
- We depend on rain and the stream for our water, so expect to boil your drinking water or provide your own.
- We are driven by the seasons, so water, fire and other region restrictions govern abundence or not.
- the only heating we have is a wood fire or a hot water bottle. everyone collects the cones and wood and keeps the fire going.
- laundry is conditional on power & water availability. hand washing might be the only answere.
What to bring
- bring appropriate clothes and footware. (we can give you a list)
Meals
- We provide main meals but we all cook & clean up
You are welcome to bring your own special snacks & treats, or alternatives if on a special diet. We eat our own produce, which includes wild meats, eggs and milk.
Rules
- This is the animals home, love them to bits
- No fires unless we give permission
- No smoking or Vaping on the premises
- Close all gates & doors as you find them
- Boil your drinking water or provide your own, if that worries you.
- Be aware of electric fences, they hurt!
- Stay on the formed tracks, sink holes/tomos are dangerous.
- notify us of any allergies and provide your own epi-pen/mediaction
- No personal guests without permission
- Entering and keeping your belongings on the farm is at your own risk, including your vehicle.
Our family
This has been our life long ambition and we finally made it. HOME!
Myself (Terri) and husband Jim are the custodians of Hidden Valley Farm and have been married for 30+ years and still loving life to the full. our oldest son Peter and Chris are both adults now and do their own thing. We have two dogs Yob and Tilly. Yob is a Jack Russell and loves nothing more than to run off scaveng. Tilly our Border Collie is quite timid and takes time to accept new people, we call this a guard dog LOL! So we suggest the quiet approach or no approach at all is best. Edwin our house cat is lazy and loves cuddles. Spide our yard cat is everyones friend.
Get in touch
Hidden Valley Farm relies on sharing our experiences with others who want to contribute their time or services and help either on a one off, occasional or boarding experience.
Call or email Terri and she will get back to you.
All arrivals are by appointment so we can welcome you properly and keep you safe.
- 027 526 8771
- info.hvfnz@gmail.com
- 1356 Takaka Hill Highway, Motueka, Tasman 7198