Enjoy the peace and quiet of the country, wake to the lovely bird song from the native birds.
The land that the Bed and Breakfast is located on has been in my family for approximately 90 years, my grandfather originally owned it, the land was eventually divided into two blocks and farmed by his sons. My father took over the flats to run a dairy farm, called Waiora, (meaning living or spirit water) where you are staying. My Uncle took over the hills to run sheep and beef. His farm is called Waiawa (meaning, river water). My cousin now farms all the land.
Many of my extended family live nearby. As you may have noticed we all enjoy gardening and have lots of native trees on our properties. As you were driving up the gorge you will have driven through the famous Totara tunnel. It is thought there may be a connection between the large number of Totara and the greywacke rocks so characteristic of the area. It is possible that the prolific nature of the greywacke stones and boulders in the soil of this area created an obstruction to pastoral certainly cropping, which requires ploughing), that farmers did not farm particularly intensively, leaving groves of trees to spring up on their farm.
Totara was likely to have been a dominant species in the area, and therefore was the species most likely to regenerate as a canopy species. The abundance of Totara is recognised in local place names, including the delightful “Totara Reserve” tunnel on Otaki Gorge Road https://envirohistorynz.com/2012/06/09/totaranui-the-many-totara-of-te-horo
The Eastern boundary of this property is planted with Poplars (commonly used to create shelter belts in the area) and trees which are a hybrid of Northern Rata and a Pohutukawa. In the northern corner there is a patch of Canadian Redwoods. Next to these is the native block and this leads onto the orchard. The western boundary, from which our prevailing wind comes, has a hedge of Camellias.
The pottery in the garden is the work of two local potters
As you are staying on a working farm, please be mindful of animals in the paddock as they are not pets. Snippy, my horse is sometimes in this paddock as well. If you want to feed Snippy or any animals on the farm, please speak to me first and I will arrange a way for you to do this safely.
Wairoa La Grange facilities:
There is a bar-b-que available for outdoor cooking non request.
Breakfast is available on request. Options include:
• Eggs from a local egg farmer,
• Fresh bread
• Granola and fresh fruit or frozen fruit that has been grown on the property (choice of Rhubarb, Tamarillos or stewed apple)
Waiora la Grange B&B is on a septic tanks.
• Wipes, sanitary items and nappies must not be put down the toilet. Please place these in container provided beside the toilet
Disposing of Rubbish –
• Please put food scrapes and compostable items into the compost container provided
• Separate burnable rubbish and recyclables into the appropriate bins.
Extras Available
• Porta cot
• High chair
• Iron and ironing board
• Hair dryer
Games
• Dominos
• Cards
• Monopoly bid
Waiora Rules:
• Parties or gatherings on the property are not permitted
• Loud music after 10pm is not permitted
• Smoking or vaping is not permitted
• The gardens and flowers are for everyone to look at and enjoy. Picking is not permitted
• Additional campers are not permitted
• Dogs are permitted by arrangement only and must be kept within the confines of the B&B at all times.
Medical Facilities:
• Otaki Medical Centre 2 Aotaki St ph 06-364 8555 open Monday – Friday
• Team Medical in Coastlands Shopping Centre Paraparaumu is open in the weekends 04-297 3000
Explore the local area:
• Otaki Gorge – by continuing on up Gorge Road
• Access the Tararua Ranges
• Otaki Beach
• Otaki River you can get to a great swimming hole in the river approximately 2 ks up the road sign says Pots-
• Otaki River – Gorge to river mouth
Activities:
• Otaki Golf Course 2 Old Coach Road North ph 06-364 8260
• Otaki Swimming Pool: Haruatai Park Mill Road Otaki ph 06-364 5542
• Walking
• Biking
Things to See:
Rangiatea Church - 33 Te Rauparaha St
Local Eateries:
• Railway Hotel – Thursday and Saturday are Steak night 6 Arthur St ph 06-364 7165
• Kapiti Fisheries 200 Main Highway
• Otaki Seafood’s
• Curry Town Dine in or Takeaway 57 Main St ph 06-364 8898
• Family Hotel 30 Main St ph 06-210 2504
• Antonia’s Bar and Restaurant (Pizza) 4 Arthur St ph 06-364 0084
• Otaki & District Memorial RSA 9 Raukawa St ph 06-364 6221
Supermarkets:
• Otaki New World 155/163 Main Highway ph 06-364 8640
• Otaki Countdown Cnr Mill Road & Aotaki St ph 06-364 9001
Garden Centres:
• Te Horo Garden Centre Hyde Park Te Horo Beach ph 06-364 2142 open 7 days
• Watson’s Garden Centre 17 Bell Street ph 06-364 8758 open 6 days
• 100 & 1 Garden & House Plants 21 Hinau St Otaki ph 06-364 7084
Things to See:
Rangiatea Church - 33 Te Rauparaha St
Local Eateries:
• Railway Hotel – Thursday and Saturday are Steak night 6 Arthur St ph 06-364 7165
• Kapiti Fisheries 200 Main Highway
• Otaki Seafood’s
• Curry Town Dine in or Takeaway 57 Main St ph 06-364 8898
• Family Hotel 30 Main St ph 06-210 2504
• Antonia’s Bar and Restaurant (Pizza) 4 Arthur St ph 06-364 0084
• Otaki & District Memorial RSA 9 Raukawa St ph 06-364 6221
Supermarkets:
• Otaki New World 155/163 Main Highway ph 06-364 8640
• Otaki Countdown Cnr Mill Road & Aotaki St ph 06-364 9001
Garden Centres:
• Te Horo Garden Centre Hyde Park Te Horo Beach ph 06-364 2142 open 7 days
• Watson’s Garden Centre 17 Bell Street ph 06-364 8758 open 6 days
• 100 & 1 Garden & House Plants 21 Hinau St Otaki ph 06-364 7084
Things to See:
Rangiatea Church - 33 Te Rauparaha St
Local Eateries:
• Railway Hotel – Thursday and Saturday are Steak night 6 Arthur St ph 06-364 7165
• Kapiti Fisheries 200 Main Highway
• Otaki Seafood’s
• Curry Town Dine in or Takeaway 57 Main St ph 06-364 8898
• Family Hotel 30 Main St ph 06-210 2504
• Antonia’s Bar and Restaurant (Pizza) 4 Arthur St ph 06-364 0084
• Otaki & District Memorial RSA 9 Raukawa St ph 06-364 6221
Supermarkets:
• Otaki New World 155/163 Main Highway ph 06-364 8640
• Otaki Countdown Cnr Mill Road & Aotaki St ph 06-364 9001
Garden Centres:
• Te Horo Garden Centre Hyde Park Te Horo Beach ph 06-364 2142 open 7 days
• Watson’s Garden Centre 17 Bell Street ph 06-364 8758 open 6 days
• 100 & 1 Garden & House Plants 21 Hinau St Otaki ph 06-364 7084
We are lucky enough to have lots of Native Birds and some imported around here you will see a description of each over the next few pages
Common Name: Pied Fantail
Maori Name: Piwakawaka
Location where found: In trees and shrubs on the property and in the nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015) and page #
Common Name: NZ Wood Pigeon
Maori Name: Kererū
Location where found: In the Pohutakawa, in the Kowhai and in the nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015) and page #
Common Name: Tūī
Maori Name: Tūī
Location where found: In the Pohutakawa, in the Kowhai and in the nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015) and page
Common Name: Pūkeko
Maori Name: Pūkeko
Location where found: In the paddocks and in the nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015) and page.
Common Name: KingFisher
Maori Name: Kōtare
Location where found: Can often be seen sitting on the power line that runs through the paddock in front of the cottage
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: Yellow Hamer
Maori Name: Yellow Hammer
Location where found: Can often be seen in the garden
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: Bellbird
Maori Name: Korimako
Location where found: Can often be seen in the kowhais, flax and in nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: Silvereye
Maori Name: Pihipihi
Location where found: Can often be seen in the garden and nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: Chaffinches
Maori Name: Chaffinches
Location where found: Can often be seen in the garden and nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: Morepork
Maori Name: Ruru
Location where found: Often heard in the forest at dusk and throughout the
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015)
Common Name: NZ Falcon
Maori Name: Kārearea
Location where found: Often seen flying over the paddocks
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015
Common Name: White faced Heron
Maori Name: Matuku moana
Location where found: Often seen flying over the paddocks
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015
Common Name: Skylark
Maori Name: Kaireka
Location where found: Often seen in the garden and nearby bush
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015
Common Name: NZ grey duck
Location where found: Often seen flying over the paddocks
Reference for further Information: The Field guide to the birds of NZ (2015
Imported birds
Gold Finch
Swallow
Welcome swallows (Hirundo neoxena) are a new addition to New Zealand's native fauna. Known only as occasional vagrants before the 1950s, they were first noticed breeding near Kaitāia, Northland, in 1958. Since then they have spread throughout the mainland, except for the central South Island mountain
