20th Nov 2007 :

Hi there, Richard Malin off the front page of the Sep 07 WWOOF Book here again with an update. The Volvo pictured got written off after I hit a rock near to Akaroa. Bit of a waste of a nice car but it had served well by running faultlessly through most of the South Island for many months. Luckily the plates survived to live another day so are now fixed onto this Landcruiser.

I am now travelling through the North Island, and have clocked up 16 WWOOF stays since November 2006. Most of the last 5 months have been at Hohepa Farm, Hawke’s Bay with just a short break of a week up in Northland recently. (Thanks Grant & Bonnie, great hosts.) Still haven’t really decided on an area to live in, but perhaps can still be mobile. I just bought a 6×4 tipper chassis and will slowly be converting it to a big housetruck.  Look out for the WWOOF plates on this.

Also, thanks for including the Hohepa picture on front of new book. I am the person being attacked by a pitchfork!  Hey, I feel privileged; being on the book cover AND the website. Many thanks to you and all the great hosts. I will certainly write
that newsletter article now.

12th Dec 2008:

Richard, the English wwoofer who has such an affection for wwoofing he went out and bought the licence plates to prove it!
After previous visits to NZ in 1993 and 2003, both of which involved organic farming, Richard started out this current round in November 2006. Now with 22 stays notched up by October this year, including 12 months at Hohepa Hawke’s Bay.“My last stay was with great host Bridget Percy who’s scenic farm at Mount Bruce is right next to the National Wildlife Centre – recommended to all. To anyone contemplating a NZ visit with the intention of seeing much of the country I will say join wwoof and start contacting hosts, it’s an excellent way to see popular areas in depth as well as getting to those right off the usual tourist routes. Also, working with and living with the host gives a chance of getting to know the country better, wwoofing is a fascinating and worthwhile experience.”Richard is currently taking a few weeks off the farming side to concentrate on his housetruck project – a 10m ex-tipper truck, now re bodied with a large living area but also with power and grip for off-road potential. Hopefully this will be rolling for a summer trip around the South Island. Richard has now gained NZ residency and says wwoof has given him the opportunity to explore areas he may decide to settle in.

Richard