We really enjoyed our stay in Tairua, it's a great base to enjoy what the Coromandel has to offer. We loved having access to kayaks, and the buckets and shovels came in handy for hot water beach. Keep an eye on the tide times so you can take the kayaks out in the estuary at high tide, the water is still only about knee deep even at high tide, but that's perfect for kids! The toys, sports equipment, big back yard and dvds were great to occupy the kids on lazy afternoons. Tairua itself is cute, and has everything you need, bakery, 4 square, ice cream. We got yummy fish and chips and calamari from Aarons takeaways :)