The Rockhouse is a really interesting location and perfect for exploring the far north. I spent one morning doing yoga on the soft lawn under the perplexed gaze of a couple of sheep. Ian is the sort of host you want to meet for his connection to nature and local knowledge. He himself is well travelled and makes for truly interesting conversation. He even helpfully introduced us to a friend who lives off grid in Taipa and the two of them gave us a good briefing on kiwi politics and challenges facing the local rural population. When we left he gave us a couple of massive oranges from his garden. I would recommend Ian in Karikari and his friend in Taipa as hosts for anyone wanting an authentic experience with locals who care a lot about sustainable living.