Sophia and Malgorzata
We are a filmmaker from Poland and a teacher from Germany. Siema Organics was the first stop on our year long journey through Aotearoa. We were looking for a serene space to recharge after a stressful year and in Siema we found just that. During our six weeks here we got to connect with nature, get our hands dirty and learn new skills. It was exactly what we needed.
We loved interacting with and getting to know the animals on the farm. Our primary responsibility was feeding the ducks, chickens and dogs twice a day. We also groomed the dogs and helped with setting up the new chicken coop and moving the goat pen. It was very rewarding to see the ducks gradually warming up to us and becoming more confident (we even got to feed them by hand!). With time we also started recognising different personalities among the chickens. We grew particularly fond of a grey, adventurous one always laying eggs in the garden by the house.
However our hearts were won by the dogs Kaha and Kilo. Rain or shine, they were our constant companions throughout the daily tasks. Kilo especially waiting patiently by our door every morning to join for the first feed and to chase the ball of course. Always looking for cuddles, they managed to lift our moods every time.
During our time at Siema Organics we got to contribute to multiple projects, including creating a strawberry patch, making compost and planting trees. Some of our other jobs were foliar feeding, weed whacking, harvesting fruits, cutting the grape vines and a little carpentry project. Every day looked different, depending on the weather and schedules. Gemma always made sure that we not only knew what to do, but also why we’re doing it. She took the time to explain the processes behind our work and how different factors affect the soil, plants and the farm as a whole, rather than simply telling us what to do. It made us better understand and appreciate all the effort and thought that goes into organic farming.
One of our favourite things was being able to live off the earth and use the resources available on the farm. We harvested lemons, oranges and tangelos to make juices, lemonades and marmalade. We also gathered vegetables and herbs from the garden for our dishes and picked flowers for arrangements. Katene is an excellent baker while Gemma and Sione are fantastic cooks. We relished exchanging favourite recipes and learning from each other over delicious dinners prepared by them. We will definitely miss Gemma’s homemade bread as well.
The experience wasn’t just work of course. The family recommended places to visit and often invited us to join them on their trips. Thanks to them, we got to discover beautiful places we may have missed otherwise, from bush walks to remote beaches and day trips to Te Aroha and Thames. One of the nearby highlights was certainly Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, where we saw species of birds native only to New Zealand. We also had the special opportunity to visit a family friend’s farm and help feed their orphaned lambs.
On of the best things about WWOOFing is getting to know the hosts and learning about local culture. We had informative and honest conversations about history of the local land and ecosystem, colonisation’s impact on Aotearoa, as well as te ao Māori. As a queer couple, we also want to emphasise how safe and welcome we felt at Siema Organics. We are very grateful to Gemma, Sione, Katene and Kōwhai for creating such a positive and unique space and can’t wait to come back.