Organic Farm Visit and garden tour with Kenny and Terri at their Kirk Road farm, located just 10 minutes drive from Maungaturoto
10:00am – Your visit begins with a welcoming mug of something hot, accompanied by some of Terri’s delicious home baking, while your hosts run through the farm’s safety briefing. Then load onto the farm trailer and you’re off on your farm tour, pausing at stops along the way where Kenny and Terri will demonstrate the principles and advantages of organic farming. Wharepuke Organic Farm has been owned by Kenny’s family for more than 140 years and is a recent conversion from conventional to organic farming. Activities you will enjoy, depending on the time of year and what’s happening on the farm, include: meeting the four-legged farm animals, feeding Terri’s tame tuna in the dam, tasting organic honey from the farm’s hives
11.30am Moore’s Fine Arts Garden with Richard and Diana at their home- Whaka Street, Maungaturoto
This sub-tropical garden was the main feature in the May 2019 edition of New Zealand House and Garden magazine. It was also rated as the highlight of the Dahlias for Dementia House and Garden fundraiser held in February, which attracted visitors from all over New Zealand. Richard and Diana run an art school from their Maungaturoto premises. Their Fine Arts Gallery will open onsite in 2021.
12.30pm Luncheon at Paul Smith Dines, Old Bank, Paparoa
Born in England, Paul’s family emigrated to Australia when he was a young child. A trained chef, Paul was in New Zealand working in the hospitality industry when a chance conversation saw him change careers and become a flight attendant, and trainer for cabin crew, for Air New Zealand. Paul has lived in Paparoa for six years.
2.00pm The Kauri Museum, Matakohe
The largest undercover visitor attraction in Northland, and regularly voted as one of the top ten museums in New Zealand, The Kauri Museum is the first registered carboNZero museum in the world. Your visit includes an introductory talk by our knowledgeable guide and a chance to try kauri gum polishing with our gum polisher.
If time permits, a visit to Totara House and garden can also be arranged. Totara House was built in 1896, lived in by members of a single family until 2013 when it was gifted to The Kauri Museum. Registered category 2 with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Totara House is fully furnished with family objects.