How to WWOOF around New Zealand
In 2014, I quit my job and traveled to New Zealand for 14 months of WWOOFing, backpacking, bikepacking, and exploration of all kinds. WWOOFing is a great way to travel and explore on a budget.
How WWOOFing Works
The basic idea is that you get food and accommodation in exchange for half a day’s work. “Half a day” is sometimes loosely interpreted, so it’s a good idea to have a clear agreement with your host in place before arriving, but overall WWOOFing is a really great system. It made my entire trip possible and sustainable.
WWOOFing as an LGBTQ+ Person
There were a few extra things I had to think about as a gay WWOOFer traveling with my partner. Should I disclose my relationship to my hosts? Will I be accepted? My partner and I chose to be as up front as possible with our hosts via email before arriving. I would say, “we are a gay couple” or “we are in a relationship” in hopes that homophobic WWOOF hosts would be weeded out. After all, hosts are in charge of providing your food and shelter, so it’s ideal to know ahead of time what you’re getting yourself into!
I had a mixed experience with this method. Some hosts were great while others chose to not respect or acknowledge my relationship even after the initial email conversation. I’m still not sure if some truly didn’t understand or just chose to pretend it wasn’t real.
Spending time with baby animals = one of the many benefits of WWOOFing!
I chose to not challenge the biases I faced at my WWOOFing destinations in-person. When hosts referred to my partner as my friend, I didn’t correct them. When hosts asked if I had a boyfriend, I didn’t set them straight. While I sometimes regret not standing up for myself in the moment, that’s just where I was at at the time.
Takeaways
At the end of the day, you have to do what feels best and safest for you in the moment. No matter how you choose to handle these types of situations, it can be helpful to think about how you’d like to respond (should the need arise) ahead of time. Especially if you’re traveling or WWOOFing with a partner, it’s great to be on the same page so you can present a united front if you face ignorance, disrespect, or questions.
There are so many accepting, loving, and supportive WWOOF hosts out there, and perhaps even more that just need to be given the opportunity to host an LGBTQ+ WWOOFer and expand their viewpoints. Just remember that you have every right to feel safe, supported, and welcomed wherever you go!
Read the full Lonely Planet article I wrote about How to WWOOF Around New Zealand for a more in-depth look at how WWOOFing works in Aotearoa.
What specific challenges and issues are important to you as a queer traveler? Leave a note in the comments!