✨ Please read our full profile before requesting to stay ✨

We live in our own home in a beautiful and safe suburb of New Plymouth. Just a minute’s walk from the beach and the iconic New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, which stretches along the waterfront to the CBD. Shops, bus stops, and the airport are all close by. One of the things we love most about living here is the uniqueness of the region – where it’s possible to surf and ski on the same day!

We are a married couple with two children (one still at home). Both of us are professionals and easygoing, fun people to be around. I work as a Sustainability and Environmental Specialist, while my wife is a Social Work Manager for the Ministry for Children (NZ Government).

Our home is shared with our pets – two cats and three dogs – so animal lovers will fit right in! We’re a busy family, so guests should feel comfortable making themselves at home.

Travel is a big passion of ours, and we love learning about different cultures and meeting new people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

We love welcoming visitors and creating a safe, friendly space for travelers. Hosting gives us the chance to meet new people and share experiences, and our children especially enjoy meeting and connecting with guests.

Interests

Travel, sport, animals, history, music, world events. I love going to concerts. Movies. Meeting people. Drinking the odd wine or two with good food. Fiona likes to hike, read and do yoga.

• reading
• tourism
• travel
• learning new things

Music, Movies, and Books

Action, drama. Love music..mainly rock. Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruce Springsteen and Rolling Stones to name a few!. Been to many concerts. Favorite movie Into The Wild. I also like Star Wars, Game Of Thrones, The 100 and Vikings. My favourite author is Wilbur Smith.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Safari in Africa...amazing! Charged at by a bull elephant in Botswana . White water rafting on the Zambezi.
Staying with a tribe in the Okavango Delta. Fishing among the elephants, hippos and lions!

Have made cakes/pastries for Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Royal family.

Teach, Learn, Share

🌏 Lonely Planet named Taranaki the world’s second-best region to visit in 2017!
(Read more here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/85691801/lonely-planet-names-taranaki-one-of-the-worlds-best-regions-to-visit-in-2017)

We offer a warm, safe, and friendly place to stay — true New Zealand style. You’ll find good company, plenty of travel tips for exploring NZ, and maybe even a glass of wine or two to share.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If you’re here over a weekend, I may be able to show you around or take a scenic drive around the mountain. Please keep in mind this takes both my time and petrol, so it’s a kind gesture rather than something to expect.

Our home is lively and often busy. If you’re not comfortable with children or animals, it might not be the right fit. We ask that guests respect our space and embrace the true Couchsurfing spirit!

Looking forward to meeting you 🙂

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Botswana, Canada, England, India, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, England, South Africa, United Kingdom