Visitor book & feedback

We enjoy getting visitors as a welcome social break from the isolation of rural living.

17March2023 32423234

Rumi

Rumi

I got to stay with Olmec and Melisa for only 10 days, but every single day I learned so much about permaculture and sustainable living from them with a variety of tasks, and it was absolutely an amazing eye-opening experience! They have created a very unique and fascinating garden designed and managed in the way that makes the best use of beauty and strength of nature, which inspired me a lot. The organically grown vegetables and fruits were super fresh and delicious, and all the adorable animals made me smile every day:)) They are extraordinarily considerate and kindhearted people, full of useful knowledge and creativity. I cannot thank them enough for such a fruitful stay. Highly recommended for those who are willing to learn about permaculture practically to make it your own!
Japan
March 17, 2023

23February2019 32423234

Mila & Mattia

Mila & Mattia

Plenty of energy and enthusiasm for permiculture, Mila & Mattia spent a week of hot summer days helping out in the garden, pruning and mulching and building another Hugelkultur / log mound garden.
If you are looking for a place where you would like to learn about permaculture and sustainable life.. Don't miss Blockhill and, of course, Olmec and Melisa. We did different tasks every day and they are really open to explain everything to you. They are very kind, friendly and knowledgeable. They have very delicious and fresh vegetables and fruits. Sweet animals. The accommodation is beautiful and very clean. We had very good time at Blockhill. Was a real woofing, a real exchange.. Give and receive. So, the only think we can say is Thank you to save our world building an alternative and working life stile. Beautiful project! Big hug for both of you!!
Italy
February 23, 2019
  intern  work  wwoof  garden  exchange 

11February2019 32423234

Benjamin

Benjamin

Of the four stays I had on my wwoofing experience in two months of wwoofing in New Zealand, my stay with Olmec and Melisa was the most comfortable. This couple is kind, welcoming, dedicated and smart. Staying in their container home was a treat and working with Olmec on the land was a great pleasure. All of the tasks set up were interesting, were explained in great detail, and included great conversation about many aspects of permaculture, grafting fruit trees, animals, and life! If you are wwoofing to really learn more about permaculture and sustainability and you would like to work in a closed-loop food forest, stay with Olmec and Melisa! Thank you both!
USA / Korea
February 11, 2019

25March2018 32423234

Student of permaculture

Student of permaculture

Mai spent a week in early autumn at blockhill experiencing the various ways we garden and grow crops, seeking ideas to take back to her homeland and apply to her grandfathers land.
Thank you such a wonderful day, how nice people you are! I'm glad to have a time with you. Beyond my expectations, it is amazing place. I could get a lot of idea about permaculture, so I want to try doing it on my place. In the future if I get my wonderful land, please come visit!
Japan
March 25, 2018

19December2017 32423234

First internship

First internship

Another first for blockhill, hosting an overseas intern / student for 3 months. Zach joined us in September for a deep immersion permaculture internship and learning experience as part of his agronomy studies. As anticipated he participated in a wide range of activities and events.
December 19, 2017

09May2017 32423234

Knowledge tours

Knowledge tours

Details   Students from the Kaikoura Creation Care Study Program spent an afternoon at Blockhill touring and learning about forest gardening, water catchment and other aspects of sustainable land use.
Date   May 09, 2017
Tags     education 

15March2015 32423234

A student of 'the way'

A student of 'the way'

Kim was studying organic horticulture at the Lincoln BHU and wanted to get some real life experience by helping out in our garden and working on some permaculture projects. Together we collected materials and constructed a decent sized hugelkultur mound.
March 15, 2015

14January2014 32423234

Liz and Andy

Liz and Andy

We couldn't have hoped for a better first WWOOFing experience. It was great to learn about your farming approach, I'm encouraged to try more. Loved the cool fire bath too - a real novelty.
Ireland & South Africa
January 14, 2014

02January2014 32423234

Our short stay on Blockhill Farm was the highlight of our NZ holiday. The place was wonderful. Our hosts were generous with their time, knowledge and produce. The food was delicious. The studio accommodation was beyond expectation. Very comfortable and beautiful. Thanks to Olmec and Melisa
Australia
January 02, 2014

14December2013 32423234

Inspiration for the future

Inspiration for the future

We were delighted to host Chris and Sherry for 3 days at the end of their New Zealand adventure. Together we extended garden cover, pruned trees and processed branches into future raised planting beds and discussed the various approaches and techniques for fruit tree propagation.
Our visit with you provided exactly the kind of inspiration we were hoping for as we wrap our heads around our own ideas for our future home. Blockhill is a special place and will stand out as a highlight of our travels this year.
December 14, 2013

30October2013 32423234

Hitch-hiking through

Hitch-hiking through

Ben and Anna spent a productive few days helping around the garden, pruning trees and processing firewood while finding plenty of time to relax and enjoy the food, coffee and comfort.
Living out in the wee cabin was a perfectly peaceful and rustic experience. We will remember our time here with the utmost fondness.
United States
October 30, 2013

04October2013 32423234

The in-depth experience

The in-depth experience

Soni & Kyle have the dubious privilege of being the first paying guests to stay with us. We shared an enjoyable two days discussing and exploring our permaculture inspired planting and water catchment systems as well as an introduction to scything.
A special thanks for the food, super delicious... also very colourful, loved the use of herbs.
May there always be enough water, sunshine and bees to compliment the labour and love you put into the land.
Soni & Kyle
October 04, 2013

01October2013 32423234

A day with the bees

A day with the bees

Simply appreciate what you've done for us with warm heart. You and your wife are amazing people who live the nature. We have learnt a lot from you. Hope to see you again one day! With a bunch of thanks
In Suk & 2 friends
October 01, 2013

27April2013 32423234

The work-a-thon

The work-a-thon

Jules creating some 'dutch fireworks' with the angle grinder. Among (many) other things Jules helped trim back a section of the shed roof so we could install an improved rain catchment system.
I have had such an amazing time here the past week! You are such a great young couple full of energy and ideas, which has made the experience loads of fun.
-Jules
April 27, 2013

03February2013 32423234

Basket weaving

Basket weaving

Theo and Marie spent five hot summer days working with us and sharing their French recipes.
February 03, 2013
olmec

10August2012 32423234

Willi from Germany

Willi from Germany

Our second WWOOFer, Willi helped out on a large number of jobs despite the frequent rain. Besides all the digging there was tree cutting, rock work, concreting and construction.
This is an amazing place for wwoofing. I love the view and the nice bush walks with Olmec. The food from Melisa is awesome! :)
-Willi
August 10, 2012
  WWOOF 

16July2012 32423234

It's WWOOFer time

It's WWOOFer time

We had our first WWOOFer, a lively young American, who was most helpful. During her stay she helped process a large amount of firewood, puttied the windows in the guest building, organised the workshop and quite a bit more.
July 16, 2012
olmec

20November2010 32423234

18April2010 32423234

Of motorcycle and fiddle

Of motorcycle and fiddle

Kerry stopped in on her way south, spent a couple of days enjoying the nice autumn weather and entertaining us with her fiddle before packing her motorcycle and continuing on.
April 18, 2010
  Visitor  Fiddle  Motorcycle 

23February2010 32423234

Tamara

Tamara

Tamara visited us as a WWOOFer (Willing worker on organic farms) and spent several days helping out in the garden and cleaning bricks.
February 23, 2010
  WWOOF 

06January2010 32423234

Steve

Steve

It's been a year since Steve stopped in and planted a tree to offset his flight home to New Zealand.

Returning to the new and improved Blockhill, Steve made use of the hammock and stretched his legs with a cycle ride.
www.stevemarksphotography.com
January 06, 2010
  Steve  visitor 

30December2009 32423234

Emily

Emily

Emily came to stay between Christmas and New Year and was able to do a short day trip to the Hot Pools at Hanmer Springs. During her stay at Blockhill she explored down into the gullies of native bush and also got to enjoy the early season plums that had started to ripen in the orchard.
December 30, 2009
  Emily  visitor 

25December2009 32423234

Aaron and Eric from California

Aaron and Eric from California

Aaron (right) and Eric (left) hung out on a hot and sunny southern hemisphere Christmas.
December 25, 2009
olmec
Lisa and JoAn (California)

Lisa and JoAn (California)

Friends of the family on holiday down under. Lisa and JoAn spent Kiwi Christmas with us.

Big thanks for the pepper mill!
December 25, 2009
olmec

07December2009 32423234

Bunny time

Bunny time

Having recently returned from a 'round the world' trip. Deschia decided to hang out with us and re-acclimatise.

Deschia is holding a baby rabbit that Gibson caught and was slowly playing to death.

Thanks for bringing us a hammock from Thailand!
December 07, 2009
  Deschia  rabbit 

15November2009 32423234

Cycling by

Cycling by

Elisabeth stopped in on the first leg of her ambitious cycle tour of New Zealand.
November 15, 2009

09November2009 32423234