The Cottage is 8 minutes from the surf of Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara, set on 2 acres, off grid, and tucked against a forest backdrop. Native plantings and cottage gardens bear witness to the unpredictable temperament of the west coast; the same conditions that give us the beautiful surf on the point. The expansive views north along 90-mile beach and west to Tauroa Point ensure sunsets are a specialty!
Thought is continually given to creating multiple spaces with self sufficiency, hosting guests, restoring birdsong and improving the ecology of the place we call home. Plantings and gardens help create these spaces - Vegetable gardens, an orchard, cottage gardens, accommodation and a paddock or 2 for the the sheep.
Watching the Kereru and Kahu swoop, dive and glide is always a pleasure, as is watching the Wax eyes and hearing the song thrush.
If you hunt around the front garden of the cottage there are some herbs, sometimes tomatoes or salad greens. Help yourself to those.
We have seasonal vegetables and herbs for sale at times. Feel free to ask.
Developing the property has been an adventure in recycling, re purposing and continually asking "what do we really need? ", allowing us to find acceptance in simplicity, create more with less and develop greater stewardship of the land, and mindfulness around consumption. Please be aware that we are solar only with a simple, low energy power system. We haven't replaced the main grid with the same energy that main grid provides..
Our system can support charging phones, batteries, laptops or blending smoothies. It is not an endless supply. Use only the cooking methods provided. No electric fry pans, coffee machines, air fryers or hair driers etc or we will all be in the dark. 😊 There is a plunger for coffee.
There is a BBQ with gas bottle and outside table and chairs on the deck.
There are Mosquito screens so that windows can be open at night.
We are located on another part of the property. Separated from the cottage and garden by plantings and paddock. Feel free to ask any questions. If there are any issues, we are close by or can always be contacted by phone.
We can provide thoughts on where to go for the day in The far North, or if you want to be shown the area, we offer guided journeys. Fishing, Surfing or just a day out with the Moretti’s at our favorite spots. If conditions are appropriate, we offer beginner surfing lessons, surfboard and wetsuit rental.
About the area.
We call the Far, far north Te Hiku. There are multiple beaches both East and West, always an offshore somewhere. Surfing, diving, sailing or fishing well catered for!
Te Hiku or Te Hiku-o-te Ika-a-Māui is the name given to the Far North by Māui. Te Hiku for short. It has a rich Māori and European history with a landscape that holds many significant cultural, sacred, and spiritual sites important to the Muriwhenua tribes. The collective name given to six iwi (tribes), Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Takoto, Te Pātū, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa.
There story is not ours to tell, but we are happy to talk to what we know and point you in the right direction for answers. The Te Ahu center- home to Kaitaia's Library, Cinema, Museum and i-SITE Visitor Information Centre is a good place to start. The standing carved Pou in the entrance each tell a story of the 6 Iwi and early Dalmatian settlers from Europe.
There are many places to get takeaway, dine in or cafe food in Kaitaia and Ahipara, as well as shops and markets for fresh food.
The following are just a few, they are not a recommendation, but somewhere to start.
North Drift Cafe Ahipara - Opens 8 am Closed Monday and Tuesday
Bidz takeaway Ahipara
Bay View Restaurant - 22 Reef View Road Ahipara
Peekaboo Back Yard Eatery - 5 Bank Street Kaitaia
Indian Spice - 43 Commerce Street Kaitaia
Kaitaia Farmers Market - Saturday Mornings - 7 am - 12 pm
Kaitaia Pak and Save - Open 7 days
Ahipara Four Square - Open 7 days
