David Moss at You Me and Northland, By appointment at The Whangarei Club 17 Rust Avenue (opposite the Old Library), Whangarei (2024)

15/10/2021

You, Me & Northland "Favourite Tastes"
*** Ake Ake by Sovrano ***

When we think wineries and fine NZ wine, our thoughts stray immediately to The Hawkes Bay & Marlborough. Few Kiwi’s know that the birthplace of wine in New Zealand is in fact the far north.

Indeed, it was missionary Samuel Marsden who planted New Zealand's first grapes at Kerikeri in 1819, then in the 1830s James Busby made wine from his vineyard at Waitangi.

Northland and North of Auckland has a multitude of good wineries. Matakana Estate, Heron’s Flight, Brick Bay, Rothco, & Hyperion to name a few in Matakana. Then there’s BrookeLane, Te Whai, & Millars in Mangawhai. Longview & Sailfish Cove are around Whangarei.

In Russell & Kerikeri they have Omata Estate, Paroa Bay, Kainui, Fat Pig, Marsden, and my personal favourite – Ake Ake.

If you are heading north, you reach the big round about on the outskirts of Kerikeri, and instead of turning right to the township, you head straight though for a few minutes then take a left at Waimate North Road. In about 2 minutes to arrive at a steepish drive that quickly takes you through vines and to the tasting room and restaurant.

I enjoy tastings at Ake Ake. They have always had a great range to sample, and now there is even more. On the 28th May 21, the Sovrano Family (famous in the area for their Limoncello’s) brought the business. To the existing 13 Ake Ake labels, they have added 2 Sovrano wine labels, and of course their 7 well known Liqueurs.

A wine tasting at the Ake Ake cellar door is an event. You will try three Whites, three Reds, and three Liqueurs of your choice. The Pinot Griggio is an easy-to-drink white, and red wine drinkers will enjoy the rich fruit flavours of the Chambourcin. Of the Liqueurs the Limoncello is an easy favourite, though you may find yourself asking for more of the Chococello or the Rosolio. For me – I’ll always walk away with a bottle of Ake Ake Port.

The tastings are accompanied by an interesting commentary, and they welcome questions from the floor. Afterwards, it’s only a few feet to your table at the restaurant for a lazy lunch, then if the day is beautiful (as it often is in the far north) take a 1km ramble around the Vineyard trail.

That is what I call a great day in the Bay of Islands!

16/09/2021

You, Me & Northland "Favourite Places"
*** Urupukapuka Island Escape ***

Wow! A secluded island getaway - in our own back yard! At 12 noon we boarded our small yellow explore ferry, capable of taking 45 passengers at a time. It was an ideal day to sail on the Bay of Islands. Beautiful blue skies dotted with a few fluffy white clouds. No wind, so the sea was calm and still with the sun sparkling on the tiny ripples on the blue water.
We edged out off the Paihia marina, and into the more open water where we picked up speed and motored out across to Russell. Here we picked up another handful of passengers, then set out on the 35 minute motor across to Urupukapuka Island.

Coming in at Otahei Bay, I felt like we were arriving into Castaway Island in Fiji. It really felt like a South Pacific getaway. As we disembarked the ferry onto the island we were told "Café and Bar area to the left, freedom picnickers to the right". We had bought Fish n chips over from the mainland, so found a nice spot on the right in the shade and relaxed overlooking the water.

Soon after lunch we set off on one of the seven walks around the 550 acre island. We didn't have much time, so chose the short but very scenic 1 hour Urupukapuka Bay Loop, which climbed through coastal Bush tracks then up onto a hill with sweeping views over the bay.
Coming back to the pier, it was time for a well earned beer. The beach outside the cafe and bar was humming with people eating, drinking, swimming, playing, and sun bathing - everything you would do on a South Pacific Holiday!

It was a great day out. When I do it again... I will: - catch the 8.30am or 10am ferry out to get more time on the island (book these well in advance though)
- bring over a bottle of water to have with lunch
- still have an ice cold beer at the cafe after I finish my island walks, because it was a neat vibe at the cafe.

15/09/2021

You, Me & Northland "Amazing Activities"
*** Manea Footprints of Kupe, Opononi ***

Recently opened, overlooking the Hokianga Harbour, is the international standard "Manea Footprints of Kupe" interactive Cultural & Heritage centre.

The story of Kupe’s voyage to & from the Hokianga leaps to life in a powerful retelling by the staff in the centre. Aided by cutting edge visual effects, the enthusiastic actors bring history to the present in a 20 minute 4D experience. (By “4D”, I mean that as well as sound, and sight, visitors get to feel and smell the presentation. You will know what I mean after you have seen the show - no spoilers here!)

The entire visitor experience is around 75 minutes in duration as the young hosts immerse you into their descendants world with waiata, karakia, and story and legend. Make sure that you take time to examine the carvings. These are some of the finest examples from the best craftsmen in New Zealand.

The Manea experience presents our local lore and history at a new level of professional entertainment. Even as a born and bred Northlander – I was impressed!

05/09/2021

You, Me & Northland "Favourite Places"
*** Bad Habits ***

I have a new favourite bar! It came with recommendations, but I hadn't really taken much notice until the weekend of the Paihia Jazz & Blues Festival.

All of the venues that had bands playing were jam packed on the Saturday afternoon when we arrived. We were hungry and thirsty, and wanted a place to eat, drink, and mellow out for a little. This place is right in the heart of "The Lanes", and The Lanes are right in the heart of Paihia township.

When you walk into “Bad Habits” the first thing you ask yourself is... "is this a bar... or a butcher... or a deli... or a bottle shop?". The answer is... "why yes... yes it is! “.

Bad Habits manages to tastefully blend every guys favourite shop into one. With a great menu that sports chic burgers, and addictive waffle fries, you can have lunch, then do a $25 tasting of three of the literally hundreds of specialty spirits, listen to some great music... all while you are waiting for tonight's dinner ribs to be sliced and wrapped!

Late in that evening, we came back to Bad Habits in time to hear the last couple of songs from their Saturday night live music. A talented young lass with a great voice playing chilled out covers on the guitar.

We whiled away the last hour or so of the night with a "three gin" tasting, 3 Negroni's, & a dirty martini (that was just my effort), until finally the lights behind the bar dimmed signifying that perhaps it was time to call it a night. A great night indeed!

05/09/2021

You, Me & Northland "Cool stuff"
*** Flying Kiwi Parasail ***

The Flying Kiwi boats are moored at the Paihia Wharf, and we had walked past them so many times, but this time decided we had to give parasailing a try. They found spaces for the two of us, and we joined the other 6 people, then we sped off out into the bay.

Like everyone else on board, we had opted for the Tandem Sail. When our turn came around, we climbed into our harnesses, and clambered on to the rear launch platform. Sitting on the soft deck, we were hooked onto the parasail, then the boat throttled, and we were lifted gently into the air.

Higher and higher, we climbed into the blue sky, until the boat was just a tiny spec at the end of our cable. This is New Zealand's highest Parasail, taking us 1300 feet up (that's around 400 metres), then we levelled out and just floated with the whole of the Bay of Islands, the jewel of Northland, glistening below us.

The view was magnificent! So peaceful, with the activity of Paihia too far below to hear a sound.

For ten glorious minutes we drank in the scenery, flying high with the birds, our feet tingling as they swung in mid-air.

Then, the cabled slowly winched us down to land seamlessly back on the boat, and head back to shore.

What an awesome experience! Flying Kiwi Parasail. Bucket list....ticked!

You can check out our video below:
https://www.facebook.com/1653942509/videos/pcb.10221461420918967/10221461379517932

12/06/2021

The Parrot Place, Kerikeri

A cool little place not far from the Kerikeri stone store is The Parrot Place Bird Display and Breeding Centre. The centre hosts about 300 birds from around the world, but by far the most entertaining thing about your visit is that you get to interact up close and personal with some of their stars! It's quite a thrill to have these exotic beauties land on you and and chatter in your ear. Buy a cupfull of birdy nibbles on the way in to ensure that you will have plenty of avian friends all the way through the centre!

01/03/2021

Opo BeachTakeaways, Opononi

It's not often that you write a blog about a takeaway bar, but I felt compelled to mention this one. Opononi Beach Takeaways (or "Opo takeaways" as it is known) is outstanding in the fact that it is exactly what it should be - a good old fashioned kiwi takeaway shop! Step back in time to the 70s (before McDonald's or sushi came to town), and this is what we used to eat on a Friday night.

Set right on the Opononi waterfront, get in line with the locals, order your burger, then stake out a place on the tables in front or perch on the seawall and stare out across the harbour to the imposing sand dunes.

The signature burger is the “Opo burger"... or as I call it - "the vegetarians friend" (because not a single vegetable was harmed in the making of this burger!). It's just a bun with fried cheese on both halves sandwiching the freshest battered fish you can get. Welcome to Opononi!

01/03/2021

The Puzzle Shop & Museum, Rawene

If you make it as far North West as Rawene, on Northlands Hokianga Harbour, then you should pop in and see Louis "the Puzzleman" Toorenberg at his "Puzzles, Games and Fun" store.

It's a cute little shop on the Rawene waterfront with the front half filled with all manner of interesting games and puzzles for sale. The back half of the store (previously occupied by a lawyer-prime minister named David Lange) boasts New Zealand's only Puzzle Museum, with an eclectic assortment of 2500+ vintage and intriguing "tests of ingenuity".

Louis himself is a colourful character, well worth yarning to. Ask him about the maze that he used to run, his wood turning hobby, oh... and ask him about his elephant!

01/03/2021

Northland Redefined - "My Northland"

Welcome to "My Northland".

Technically Northland starts 5kms North of Te Hana, and cuts across the country from the shores of the inland Oruawharo River on the west, across to Mangawhai on the east coast.

Technically, it is 13,789 square kms. Technically, it has 3200kms of coastline.

That is all "technically". But "My Northland" is a little different. "My Northland" basically refers to "anything north of the hustle & bustle of Auckland". On the east coast "My Northland" starts at "Deep creek brews and eats bar" in Browns Bay, then skirts over the top of Albany, and through River head, Kumeu, and right over to Muriwai on the West Coast.

"My Northland" is full of great wineries, some really good breweries, eclectic and interesting stores, awesome adventure activities, great food, down-to-earth good people, amazing artists, and hands-down the best beaches in the country.

In this series of posts, let me show you around my home.

25/02/2021

Ti Point Reptile Park, Matakana

Who would have guessed that just south of Whangarei - we have our very own Jurassic Park!

Home to over 400 reptiles (and a couple of huge arachnids), the Ti Point Reptile Park is New Zealand's only Reptile Park and for the last 50 years has bred many of the reptiles that currently inhabit our nations zoos.

Located at Ti Point, on the Matakana Coast, the park is made up of a series of open enclosures and closed cages along a path that winds around a fairly steep hillside property. Featuring tiny gecko's to enormous iguanas, prehistoric alligators and tuatara's, and some rather large tarantula's, the park provided an excellent hour and a bit of excitement for the two fourteen year olds accompanying us. Well worth a school holiday visit.

25/02/2021

The Sculptureum Gallery & Winery, Matakana

As you enter the driveway, you know that you have arrived somewhere very special.

Up through beautifully manicured lawns dotted with eclectic sculptures, including an elephant escaping through a man-hole - the the first hint of what is yet to come!

Upon arrival, you are greeted by the lovely curator and given a short overview of the collection. Then you set off into the six gallery collections that Auckland–based lawyers Anthony and Sandra Grant have spent 12 years developing to showcase the art that they have spent their lifetime accumulating.

The artistically lit indoor galleries display stunning contemporary works by some of the world’s best glass and mixed media artists. The outdoor galleries feature surreal animal sculptures and fantastical caricatures. Every step along the paths that wind through gardens presents you with a new and wonderous surprise.

The jewel in the collection at Sculptureum is the breathtaking chandelier by the famous American glass artist Dale Chihuly, and is the most substantial work of glass art on public display in Australasia.

In total, there are more than 150 exhibits and some 400 works that fill the Gardens and galleries. It's pretty easy to spend a couple of hours enjoying the art...and that's even before you start the lunch or wine tasting at Rothco's!

25/02/2021

Soju Shots - Artist & Gallery, Whangarei
..and suddenly - I have a new favorite artist!

I have always been a big fantasy art fan. Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Chris Archilleos - all big international artists laying down their weird and wonderful imaginings onto canvas. But today I met a Whangarei guy, in a Whangarei studio who really impressed me. Evan "Soju Shots" Heasman has a tiny upstairs workshop in Walton street, open most Wednesdays and Thursdays, where you can come in and see his many prints and have a good ol chat with him about his fantastical fairytale motifs and the real life stories that inspired them. What impressed me about his art, is that it has the "feel-good factor". It's up-beat, simple, endearing, and soulful...and best of all - affordable! I think I am about to become a collector!

David Moss at You Me and Northland

15/10/2021

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12/06/2021

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