I loved my stay at Ao Marama! It is an absolutely beautiful piece of property brimming with flowers, plants, and birds. There are stunning open views of the ocean and Golden Bay from most areas of the property, despite it being tucked in among lush vegetation. My cabin was cozy, clean, and comfortable, with ample lighting and a mini-fridge to keep food items. There was also a separate, shared open kitchen area with more refrigerator and food storage space, and other necessary appliances (water boiler, coffee maker, utensils, etc.). The shared shower/sink/bathroom hut was clean and bright, with good hot water in the showers. There were 'normal' water toilets, and a separate composting 'eco toilet' with a big window overlooking the bay. WiFi was not available in the cabins, but could be accessed in/near the main building. The walk to the beach is down a switchback trail that is steep in some places and takes about 10 minutes. There is a pretty patch of conservation land with trails that can be accessed via a 20 minute walk along the beach.
During my stay (late January), I hardly noticed any biting insects: no sand flies, and just a few mosquitos. There was a cicada emergence and loud buzzing in the trees most of the day, what was likely a temporary phenomenon. If you are comfortable being immersed in nature, you will be happy here.
Duane and Elizabeth were excellent hosts. Friendly, generous, and accommodating, with great suggestions of things to do in the Golden Bay area. They answered all emails and questions quickly. I wished I could have stayed longer, and will absolutely stay here again if my travels take me back to New Zealand!