TALES FROM THE ROAD
Words & Photography by Sarah Norris
It was a humid February day as we made the 6 hour drive up from Auckland to a small township near the top of the North Island. Cold can against the cheek kind of heat. I've never been bothered much by long car rides. Even as a kid I was fascinated at the changing sceneries and small towns with one road shops. This trip was no different.
We arrived in Ahipara around 5pm. The name Ahipara comes from the Māori language words ahi, meaning fire, and para, meaning a large fern. The early township was part of a kauri diggers settlement in the late 19th century. Today, there is a rich traditional culture behind this small community of 1000. Iwi's own a large portion of the land and their connection to it runs deep. Experiencing a community like this through the eyes of a local was imperative to us. We wanted to take in as much as we could.
The Huts provide a refreshing take on what living 'eco-friendly' means, and lay a blueprint for where we can expect to see sustainable living headed in years to come. Host Adam now works on The Huts full time, to ensure their guests can experience a trip like no other. With every decision Adam and Kelly make, the land comes first. A conscious effort to restore native growth through permaculture has been their biggest ongoing project over the past year. Not a small feat for Adam and Kelly who run the huts by themselves and have two little ones in tow.
Stay | The Huts
We ventured about half an hour around Shipwreck Bay's point to scope out the best local surf spot. A tricky area to get to if not well versed in the terrain - but manageable with courage and determination. We were lucky enough to catch Adam on his day off as we piled in his ute to experience the real Ahipara. To us, we were in unknown territory, to Adam, this was his backyard. We'd lost cell reception a few kilometers back, so Adam and his ute were our only means of direction, the adventure was a thrilling bond between us and the land.
Along the coastline roam around 50 wild horses. Grazing off the surrounding vegetation, they are unfazed by the trucks that commute down the beach daily. A rare sight to see this wild animal so graceful and placid, in a distinctively different environment than what we're used to.
We cooked up our final meal, and made our way over to Adam and Kelly house. The night was crisp and the smell of the ocean awash with childhood memories of sticky days spent at the beach. We drank, we laughed and we talked about our lives to one another. As night fell, we sat on the deck looking out over the bay, discussing ideas about a better tomorrow. Their two girls slept soundly to the evening songs of crickets and breeze.
Adam and Kelly’s mission for The Huts is strong and visionary. Regenerative and conscious. It is clear that both of them care deeply about what a brighter future looks like for them and for their two girls. Everything they do is thoughtfully considered and at no expense to the land they call home.
Our next stop was to be the Kauri Forest on the West Coast of the North Island. When coming up through the West Coast of the North Island, theres a turn off called Donnelley’s Crossing. Here you'll find yourself entering old lands. Old Kauri swamps and gravel roads guide your way till you see the beacon to enter Wild Forest. A large red flag. Wild Forest Estate is a large properties tucked away inside a Kauri forest. Joanna, the owner, lives on the property and takes care of two unique off grid sites. One, a dormant container that was left by its previous owner, now restored and given a facelift to provide a proper bush mans stay for a night. Coined 'The Tin Box' - its name underestimating its finer details. Theres a working outdoor kitchen. a hammock and outdoor bath for ultimate rest and reset mentality.
The other site coined ‘The Lotus Belle’ is a large safari styled tent located down a sloping path on the property. Completely covered by surrounding flora, its discrete location gives the perfect backdrop for an isolated stay. The Lotus Belle Tent is fully solar powered and off grid. You’ll experience one of the best stargazing spots in the country and if you’re lucky, you may even hear the sounds of kiwis calling in the bush below.
Stay | Wild Forest Estate
We jumped in our van and took to the road to explore everything the west coast had to offer. First stop - Aranga Beach. Aranga Beach is the tip of the longest drive-able beach in New Zealand. Its hard to describe what its like looking down the endless white sand - wincing your eyes to see the end. Its impossibly beautiful, like looking at the curvature of the earth. All 107km of it.
Aranga Beach
After a quick stop off at a local cafe for kumra chips, coffee and a cheeky margarita, we hit the road eager to take a quick afternoon dip. There was only one place we had in mind -The Kai Iwi Lakes. Like squirmy kids in the backseat, we were eager to get there before the day’s warmth faded. The drive was filled with slow 60’s tunes and cool breeze. 20 minutes later, we had arrived. The waters here are so clear you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on a tropical island somewhere off the coast of Indonesia. Pack a lunch, sit by the lake and envision Regé-Jean Page serving you margaritas.
Kai Iwi Lakes
After our dip we dried off, sat at the lake’s edge under the shade of a Pohutukawa Tree and closed our eyes. The perfect way to end an idyllic trip.
Aotearoa is worth stopping for.
NJ x
