Slow Travel, Volunteering, and Finding Home at the End of the Road

My journey with New Zealand began in 2010. Like many first-time visitors, I tried to see everything. In just three weeks, I rushed through both the North and South Islands, chasing landscapes, ticking places off a list, and falling in love with the country along the way.

It was unforgettable — but it was also exhausting. And when I left, I knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t goodbye.

From Traveler to Volunteer in Takaka

Six years later, New Zealand welcomed me back — this time in a very different way. Instead of moving quickly, I chose to stay put. I volunteered for three months at a small guest house in Takaka, a quiet town at the edge of the country, where the road simply ends.

Takaka sits in Golden Bay, surrounded by farmland, forests, and wild coastline. Life here is slow and deeply connected to nature. I volunteered at B&B Shady Rest, helping out in exchange for accommodation and meals — but what I gained went far beyond that.

It was winter.

Not the bright, postcard-perfect New Zealand summer — but a cold, wet, rural winter. Rain fell endlessly. Mornings were grey and chilly, boots were always muddy, and mist hung low over green fields. The countryside felt raw and honest, stripped down to its essentials.

Life in the Countryside

Volunteering meant becoming part of everyday life. My days were filled with simple routines: helping around the guest house, preparing rooms, cleaning, tidying, and welcoming travelers who arrived after long drives through rain and winding roads.

Evenings were quiet. The sound of rain on the roof, warm cups of tea, shared meals, and long conversations. Winter slowed everything down — and that was the real gift. There was space to think, to rest, and to truly be somewhere rather than just pass through.

Living in such a small rural town can feel isolating, especially in winter. Shops close early. There’s no rush, no noise, no distractions. But in that stillness, I found peace. I learned that travel doesn’t always have to be about movement — sometimes it’s about staying.

Why Volunteering Changed the Way I Travel

Volunteering in New Zealand showed me a different side of the country. Not the highlights, but the in-between moments. The weather, the work, the routine — all of it made the experience deeper and more real.

You meet people differently when you volunteer. Conversations go beyond small talk. You become part of a place, even if only for a short time. And in Takaka, surrounded by rain, fields, and quiet roads, I realized how powerful slow travel can be.

Coming Back Again

That feeling stayed with me.

So in 2018, I returned once more — this time for seven months. I worked again at the same guest house, slipping back into a life that felt familiar and grounding. What once felt like an adventure now felt like returning to something known and trusted.

New Zealand became more than a destination. It became a place that shaped the way I travel, the way I choose experiences, and the way I measure time on the road