Manaaki Mai ( Te Reo Maori) means 'Come this way to be cared for, nurtured, supported; for hospitality, generosity and to be looked after’ and this is what we offer at Manaaki Mai.
Paul and Andrea were not even looking for a property at the end of 2019, but as fate would have it; after a walk around the 50 acres we instantly fell in love with the land and especially the magnificent stand of native bush in the top left corner. The previous owners also already called it Manaaki Mai… it was serendipity.
Sadly, due to illness, Manaaki Mai was in need of some tender loving care after a few years without anyone living here, but we were up for the challenge.
We discovered fruit orchards, an olive grove and seriously overgrown berry bushes and vegetable gardens.
We realised that the land needed aroha (love) and manaaki so our first priorities were the removal of grazing animals and the protection of the Waituturi stream, which runs through the property. This in turn, would improve the quality of the water to the harbour and apply the ‘Whaka-ora’ https://www.healthyharbour.org.nz principals, to which we are deeply committed.