This was my first time staying in a caravan and in a rural area too. It was an illuminating experience. One thing I learned is that cassette toilets are not for me (if I were to do this again).
The location was great for my bike touring trip as I was continuing to Otahuhu train station (to go to Auckland, my final destination).
The host is very, very nice and we had an engaging discussion on various topics (which I think we were on the same page on for the most part).