Te Rakau studio is a true gem. Great location on a coastal cliff with easy walking access to a private beach. Rustic but with some modern touches we enjoyed our stay immensely. The weather was rainy and windy for most of our stay but that did not detract from our experience as we wanted to 'chill out' anyway and had plenty of books to read, a great choice of channels on TV and very fast internet. The outdoor BBQ facilities were top notch and allowed us to cook the fresh local snapper and tarahki fish bought at the supermarket in Orewa, some 10 minutes away by car. Drifters Coffee in Orewa is outstanding both for its coffee made with care and the 'loungey' comfort and ambience of its vibe. Al and Linda our hosts were just lovely people, genuine, kind and interested in our backgrounds and travel stories. Unsolicited, Linda delivered us an extra blanket due the weather...and it was needed on that particular night. Al recommended the nearby Kauri Park for a visit and it was well worthwhile