Harvesting
Come live, learn & work
with the land
Wilderland offers it's unique educational opportunity thanks to the work of volunteers like you. Come and gift your time to the land, learn practical skills, and be part of a community that is co-learning a more regenerative way of living.
As a volunteer at Wilderland, learn by doing:
See more of what we're up to on our projects page ↗
What you'll do as a volunteer at Wilderland
There is always plenty to do at Wilderland (as seen above), but exactly what you work on depends on the season, what's happening on the land, and your own skills and interests.
🌱 Spring (sep-nov)
Seed raising, planting out gardens, syntropic agroforestry
🌼 Summer (dec-feb)
Markets, roadside shop shifts, harvesting, preserving & selling fruit, syntropic agroforestry
🍂 Autumn (mar-may)
Fruit Harvesting, preserving, preparing gardens for winter, syntropic agroforestry
Winter (jun-aug)
Pruning, roading, forestry
Year-round
building maintenance, cheffing for community, roadside shop work, herb harvesting and product making, engineering, small motors, carpentry, pouring honey and much more
What a stay at Wilderland is like
On Monday you'll join our morning planning meeting to set up your work and who you'll connect with through the week.
During the week, you may team up with another volunteer and work the morning on projects until community lunch at 1PM. You may like to continue work or take the afternoon for self directed activities and recreation, like exploring the beautiful property!
Your accommodation may be a small house, cabin or caravan (campervans & tents are welcome), depending on how many volunteers are on the land.
The number of volunteers at Wilderland is always changing so there may be ample chances to socialise or less so, depending on when you come. Either way, it is likely you will have an abundance of time and space to yourself.
What is expected of you
4-week stay
This mimimum length of stay allows you to get the most out of a stay at Wilderland, it can take a while to sink in!
20 hours of engagement per week
During the planning meetings, you will be able to set up a week structure in which you offer 20 hours of work toward the activities and projects in motion
1–2 shifts at the roadside shop
Running the roadside shop is the primary way Wilderland makes an income so volunteers do a shift or two per week. Don't worry if you don't have experience running a shop, it is easy! It is a great time to physically rest and meet interesting people driving through the region.
Participate in community meetings
Attending the planning meetings ensure you know what you are up to for the week and feel a sense of togetherness with the team
Take responsibility for your own learning and involvement
Wilderland is volunteer-run and will not always hold your hand or 'teach' you in a formal way as you may be used to. Volunteers who have initiative and take responsibility for pursuing their learning goals have the best experience here.
Look after your accommodation
Keeping your accommodation clean and maintained ensures the next volunteer has a good experience. It may even be a learning opportunity to improve or repair something in your accomodation
What you get
Free stay
When staying 4 weeks and working 20h there are no fees to stay
Organic food
Seasonal fruit and veges from the land as well as organic bulk goods
Spring water
Your drinking water will be pure spring or filtered spring water
Funky accomodation
A house, cabin, caravan or campsite depending on what is available
Immersed in natural setting
Wilderland is private and surrounded by native bush and plantings, it is a great place to be immersed in nature
Community lunch 1PM Monday to Friday
I'd like to stay longer!
Great, Wilderland values those who can offer longer periods of volunteering and has residents who have stayed for many years. Residents of Wilderland are volunteers who have stayed past the first 4 week period and take a more active role in the direction and priorities on the land.
If you're looking for a longer stay, let us know in your application. No matter how long you'd like to stay, it starts with a 4 week volunteering period.
We are currently seeking long term volunteers to fill some key roles:
I can't stay for the full 4 weeks
We are open to shorter stays as well. At this stage it is hard to break even on the cost of hosting people here, unless you stay for at least 4 weeks. For a shorter stay we will be asking a $10/day fee.
I'd just like to visit
We often have visitors come to check the place out, or past volunteers coming to reminisce. If you'd like to visit, don't just show up, please let our visitor host know by contacting visit@wilderland.org.nz.
How to Apply
Simply fill out our online application that helps us get to know you and we'll be in touch soon!
More questions? Please contact visit@wilderland.org.nz
