The WAN works with businesses to connect their seasonal, flexible or mobile workforce to safe, affordable accommodation sourced from within the community in which they are working.
We put local businesses at the heart of the model because we know how important the success of those businesses are to our communities – from the jobs they supply, to how they contribute to our economy.
What makes The WAN different is that all of our workers are verified by the local business they are working for. That means you can confidently accommodate a worker knowing they are part of a business you recognise and trust.
Seasonal, temporary and flexible workers are only here, well, when they’re here!
You earn a bit of spare cash for your space during their stay, then once that worker’s placement is done, you get your space back again. It’s the perfect way to support the local economy, build better communities and make use of your spare space.
Be part of the change: better accommodation exchanges for everyone.
Increasingly NZ’s workforce is made up of skilled seasonal, temporary and flexible workers. People who often become the life-force of local businesses, helping to support regional economies.
When we created The WAN we placed businesses at the heart of our equation. We know when your team is well rested, with good accommodation options, they feel valued – part of the local community, part of your community. The mahi comes more easily, day in and day out.
Every business wants engaged members of their team. The WAN helps you achieve that.
We understand how difficult it is to find comfortable, affordable, safe accommodation as a seasonal, temporary or flexible worker. We know because we’ve been there. It was because of our own experience that we designed The WAN – an online marketplace designed to provide better accommodation exchanges for everyone.
It takes a team to run a business, and the business you work for needs a great team – a well rested team that can do the mahi day in, and day out.
We require workers to be verified by a local business before they can look for accommodation on our marketplace. Why? Because we’re asking for accommodators to open their doors to strangers, and to offer accommodation that might not otherwise be available. Placing a local business at the heart of The WAN gives accommodators the confidence and surety that they’re not only helping out a great stranger, they’re doing it to also help out a local business they know and trust.
The WAN is a community focussed marketplace. We believe it’s important that the cost of accommodation exchanges are fair, affordable and accessible.
*A fee may apply for additional introductions
*% fee of total rent while your space is filled.
*For a limited time
Because the WAN is a new idea and a little different to other online accommodation sites, you may have some questions about how it all works. To help you along we have compiled a list of questions (FAQs) to make the process as easy as possible.
Can’t thank Carmen and ‘The WAN’ enough for all their help in finding somewhere to live this winter season. It was such an easy process and removed all the stress we’ve matched so well with our new housemate.
Tom & Emma (roomers)
“Really happy to support a solution that connects our vital short-term & seasonal workforce with easy to find, suitable accommodation”
Sharon Fifield
, Economic Development Advisor,
QLDC
“Startup Queenstown Lakes has been thrilled to be part of the journey of The WAN. It is an exciting and innovative solution to an industry-wide problem.
Without a doubt, Carmen is one of the most intelligent, dedicated and driven entrepreneurs I have ever worked with - and this gives me no doubt that The WAN will continue to go from strength to strength”
Olivia Wensley
, CEO,
Startup Queenstown Lakes
“Access to affordable housing options for employees is traditionally the biggest barrier to employers recruiting and retaining the right staff for their business and often is in the top 3 for barriers to workforce development. Initiatives such as WAN that seek to assist employers and employees are much needed to ensure Wanaka continues to attract and retain great talent and develop and diversify our labour force”
Naomi Lindsay
, Executive Officer,
Ignite Wanaka
