Waiotemarama Falls Lodge
Opononi, Northland, New Zealand
Opononi, Northland, New Zealand
© 2008 - 2010 Waiotemarama Falls Lodge Limited
Candy Pettus grew up in San Diego, California and moved to NZ in 1976. Since then she has worked locally as a science teacher and skippered the historic vessel (MV Sierra) on the Hokianga Harbour. She is interested in science, medical research, sailing and playing music. You will find the library at Waiotemarama Falls Lodge filled with great books!
Rawiri Moetara is New Zealand-born and of Maori descent (Ngapuhi). He has been a chef in the hospitality industry for 13 years and has experience in Youth Hostel Association and Willing Workers on Organic Farms operations.
Rawiri is an accomplished musician and songwriter. He plays guitar, bass and drums. His passions are gardening and fishing.
Rawiri is an accomplished musician and songwriter. He plays guitar, bass and drums. His passions are gardening and fishing.
Candy and Rawiri
welcome you to
Waiotemarama Falls Lodge
welcome you to
Waiotemarama Falls Lodge
The Lodge Office is located in our polehouse, out of sight, yet only 200m from The Lodge.
Waiotemarama Falls Lodge is the Hokianga's finest accommodation experience. See the real New Zealand bush!
Activities include sandboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, stargazing, horsetrekking, Maori culture experiences, art trails, the Waipoua Forest and so much more!
Activities include sandboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, stargazing, horsetrekking, Maori culture experiences, art trails, the Waipoua Forest and so much more!
Photo by Moirai Studio/Gallery, Waipoua Forest
About the Hokianga
Hokianga-Nui-A-Kupe means 'the place of Kupe's great return'. Many iwi (Maori tribes) trace their ancestry back to the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe who, with his crew, voyaged deep into the southern ocean to find New Zealand. Northland iwi claim the first landfall of Kupe's waka was on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. Most Northland Maori can trace their ancestry to the Hokianga region; many of the country's bicultural families also have their origins here.
If you approach the Hokianga region from the south you'll have the opportunity to drive through Waipoua Forest, home of Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest kauri tree. Soon after you exit the forest, the Hokianga Harbour will appear dramatically in front of you. You'll see huge white sand dunes on the northern side and the twin beach towns of Omapere and Opononi on the southern side.
The Hokianga's largest town is Rawene, New Zealand’s third oldest European settlement and the home of historic Clendon house. The mangrove boardwalk makes a great stroll. From Rawene a vehicular ferry provides a connection to the other side of the harbour and the settlement of Kohukohu.
Near the settlement of Horeke is a natural phenomenon known as the Wairere Boulders. Amassed along a valley floor, this stream of huge rocks and boulders is 1.5 kilometres long. At first glance the rocks appear to be limestone formations, but they are actually basalt. The fluting on the boulders is caused by acids leaching from the kauri forests that used to exist in the area.
Hokianga-Nui-A-Kupe means 'the place of Kupe's great return'. Many iwi (Maori tribes) trace their ancestry back to the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe who, with his crew, voyaged deep into the southern ocean to find New Zealand. Northland iwi claim the first landfall of Kupe's waka was on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. Most Northland Maori can trace their ancestry to the Hokianga region; many of the country's bicultural families also have their origins here.
If you approach the Hokianga region from the south you'll have the opportunity to drive through Waipoua Forest, home of Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest kauri tree. Soon after you exit the forest, the Hokianga Harbour will appear dramatically in front of you. You'll see huge white sand dunes on the northern side and the twin beach towns of Omapere and Opononi on the southern side.
The Hokianga's largest town is Rawene, New Zealand’s third oldest European settlement and the home of historic Clendon house. The mangrove boardwalk makes a great stroll. From Rawene a vehicular ferry provides a connection to the other side of the harbour and the settlement of Kohukohu.
Near the settlement of Horeke is a natural phenomenon known as the Wairere Boulders. Amassed along a valley floor, this stream of huge rocks and boulders is 1.5 kilometres long. At first glance the rocks appear to be limestone formations, but they are actually basalt. The fluting on the boulders is caused by acids leaching from the kauri forests that used to exist in the area.
Read what people
are saying!
are saying!