1. New Zealand January – April 2013 C Alma Baker Trust

2. History Charles Alma Baker was a remarkable New Zealander and entrepreneur who travelled the world. He made his fortune in surveying, tin mining and rubber. In 1920s he purchased an 8000 acre farm which he called Limestone. In 1941 Charles Died and the farm was left to his daughter Judy. In the 1950s under new management limestone went through amazing transformations such as aerial top dressing, scrub cleared and fences renewed to mention a few. Limestone is now trust run and part of Massey University – Research projects are carried out at Limestone

3. What is Working Scholarship at Limestone Downs Three-month working placement with the option to stay on in New Zealand for additional month at the end to travel. On a farm in New Zealand, North Island on the west coast. The C Alma Baker Trust makes the arrangements for the trip, and also pays for the flight. You get paid for the work you do. Applicants must have a full driving licence.

4. So what happens and how did I get to have the time of my life…? Well you need to apply for this trip like any of the NFYFC Discovery trips, interviews are normally at the beginning of December. If you are lucky enough to be selected on the day you will be asked to hand over contact information to Sue the sectary for the C Alma Baker Trust. Six months before your trip Sue will be in contact with confirmation of flight dates and once that’s in place, the few months before leaving you will have a few forms to fill in, all very easy as Sue helps you and answers any questions. The day comes and you hop on that plane at Heathrow airport and say good bye....you are about to begin one of the best journeys of your life 19,313km from England. Stop off at Hong Kong for 1hour And Pam is at the end to meet you, she is like your “New Zealand mum” Then about 1hour 40mins you will be at Limestone be prepared for going to the middle of no where!!

5. What to take?? (January – April) Shorts Don’t take wellie boots, if you need this sort of thing you can buy them Work Boots (New to rules of entering nz) Layers, often mornings can seem a bit chilly but it soon warms up! Don’t expect to be in vests in the summer, you will actually want to have a loose shirt protect you from the sun.

6. Home for 3 Months Fully Furnished Unit Bedroom Bathroom Washing Machine Fully Equipped Kitchen/ Living area including TV and DVD player Buy and cook own food (Supermarket is 1hr away so make a shopping list) Fantastic Views Amazing Beaches (3 Farm beaches)

8. Communication with Home There is a phone in your unit and you can ring any landline in the UK for FREE Pam will take $10 (£5approx) out of your wages a month for the phone Internet you may use the Internet either at Pam and Crackers house or in the Farm office. (This I believe has changed since I left and there is communal use of internet down at the single units) Mobile phone signal is poor or you may not receive any at all at limestone but when I was there I used Telecom Network and it was hit and miss.

9. Tips Take clothes that you can throw away when finished at Limestone Plan your travelling trip – Kiwi Experience is a good way to get round but do your own research for hostels, activities might save a few dollars Keep a record of your expenses!! Good way to plan what you want to spend money on Say “YES” to everything you never know what you will learn or who you will meet!! Any don’t forget to try out Pineapple Lumps and L&P juice they are typical New Zealand favourites!

10. The Last month – Travelling?!?! Travel light Plan your trip wisely Stray is a great way to travel the whole of the north and south island There is different packages you can choose – ranging in places you can go to. There are a lot of other travel companies such as Kiwi Experience, and Magic just see who has the best deal for what you want to see

12. Highlights Limestone itself –amazing farming style, views and friendly people Fishing Franz Joseph – Glacier Hike Bungee Swing Rugby Games at Eden Park Galloping along Pakiri Beach! New Friends New Zealand's amazing scenery

13. Questions!?!?! If you have any questions at all about this amazing lifetime experience please get in contact I am willing to answer anything even if it does sound ridiculous it wont be E-mail : helbags99@hotmail.com Thank you C Alma Baker for a fantastic trip GO FOR IT AND HAVE A SAFE AND FAB TRIP!!