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 live-in experience.
What is volunteering?
A volunteer within an organisation is a person who freely offers to perform tasks or services needed to assist with the logistics of running Hidden Valley Farm and Sanctuary without financial reward.
We’re endlessly grateful to our amazing team at Hidden Valley Farm, who care for the animals here and manage everything the land needs. It’s their enthusiasm that drives us toward self-sufficiency and a smaller environmental footprint.
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. The role includes your own room with the Everett family & 3 meals a day.
A day on the farm
What should I expect
Expect to get stuck into our lifestyle, which is pretty laid back. Days usually start at 10am with animal care, our first priority. From there, you'll take on a project suited to your skills and abilities, before finishing the day with afternoon animal care.
Volunteers staying with us take part in everyday home jobs too, cooking, washing up, vacuuming, and the like. Your room, bed and bathroom are your own responsibility, please leave them clean and tidy for the next volunteer. Beyond that, enjoy our big, abundant space, and feel free to cuddle the animals whenever you like.
What do I get in return?
Volunteering here is a chance to gain new, unexpected experiences. The feel-good factor of helping others is rewarding in itself, but you'll take away far more than you expect. Many of our helpers from around the world have described life-changing moments here, and plenty return to the farm again and again because it simply feels like home.
If you're staying with Terri and Jim in exchange for your time, they offer basic off-grid accommodation or camping (depending on availability), with meals negotiated based on how much time you're volunteering. For anyone staying on a working holiday, they ask for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours a day.
Day visitors can look forward to a cuppa and good old-fashioned banter, and you might even head home with some fresh eggs, along with your dirty boots.
Good to know
You will be given a safety briefing on arrival, this will be enforced throughout your stay.
- 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 answer.
- Bring appropriate clothes and footwear. (We can give you a list)
- We provide main meals, but we all cook & clean up.
You are welcome to bring your own special snacks & treats, or alternatives if you are on a special diet. We eat our own produce, which includes wild meats, eggs, and milk.
- 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/medication
- 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 lifelong ambition, and we finally made it. HOME!
Terri and her husband Jim are the custodians of Hidden Valley Farm. They’ve been married over 30 years and are still loving life to the full. Their sons, Peter and Chris, are grown now and off doing their own thing. The family shares the farm with two dogs, Yob and Tilly. Yob’s a Jack Russell who loves nothing more than a good scavenge. Tilly, their Border Collie, is a bit timid and takes her time warming up to new people, they jokingly call her their guard dog. A quiet approach, or no approach at all, tends to work best with her. Edwin, their house cat, is lazy and loves a cuddle. Spider, their yard cat, is everyone’s friend.
Contact us
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