Fact file

Explore the harbour

Hokianga Harbour is vast. It is the fourth-largest in the country, and the best way to get an appreciation of it is on a jet-ski safari with Awesome Adventures Hokianga.

Under the watchful eye of Lenny Naera, you will be taught how to use a jet ski before beginning your adventure.

The trip starts with a journey to the entrance of the harbour to point out the place where legend states that Kupe first landed.

You can then sandboard the dunes, or continue on a longer trip up to Ra¯ wene, where you jump off the jet ski for a coffee stop.

Back on the water, you then explore the lesserknown parts of Hokianga, such as winding waterways lined with mangroves.

Along the way, Naera will point out pieces of history, which are hundreds of years old.

Stay in a tree house

On the way to Hokianga, stay for a night in the trees at Wild Forest Estate. This new glamping retreat has a series of escapes hidden amid 14 hectares of birdfilled native bush, intersected by three rivers. It is found in Donnellys Crossing, just before you enter the Waipo¯ ua Forest.

The retreats include a tree house, Lotus Belle tent and a ‘‘tin box’’ eco-escape made from a converted shipping container.

Our favourite was the tree house, which despite being off-grid, has a flush toilet and hot shower. There is also an outdoor forest bath and a large hammock over the deck to unwind in.

If you need a place to forget the worries of the world for a night, this is it.

The writer’s trip was supported by NorthlandNZ.

This story was produced as a part of an editorial partnership with Tourism New Zealand.

Getting there:

O¯ pononi, the heart of Hokianga, is a four-hour drive from Auckland. You can also fly to Wha¯ngarei or Kerikeri with Air New Zealand, then drive across. Visit airnz.co.nz.

Playing there:

Hokianga Express Charters offers trips to the sand dunes for walks and to go sandboarding. Phone: 021 405 872 or email hkexpress@xtra.co.nz. Wairere Boulders is $15 an adult, $5 a child or $35 for family.

Visit wairereboulders.co.nz.

Manea Footprints of Kupe Experience is $65 an adult, and $12 a child. Visit maneafootprints.co.nz.

Awesome Adventures Hokianga jet ski trips from $299. Visit aah.nz.

Staying there:

Historic Kokukohu Villa from $250 a night, including breakfast.

Visit kohukohuvilla.com.

Wild Forest Estate from $192 a night. Visit wildforestestate.com.

Carbon footprint:

Flying generates carbon emissions. To reduce your impact, consider other ways of travelling, amalgamate your trips and, when you need to fly, consider offsetting emissions. To offset your carbon emissions, head to airnewzealand.co.nz/sustainability-customer-carbon-offset.