My family of 5 had a fantastic stay in Kawhia. Being so far off the main track, we weren't sure what to expect in our travels, and found a no stress environment. The bach was pristine and with plenty of windows to let in natural light. The Montgomeries keep a beautiful garden and it adds to the comfortable ambiance. The beds are plush and made for a comfortable night's sleep. The kitchen is a little cramped, but we had no problem cooking all of our meals with good cookware and plenty of flatware for the family. Please note that at the time of writing this review, the photos of the kitchen are a little dated and there is now a larger refrigerator and convection oven/air fryer. The dining area is now a bar along the back wall of the kitchen with 4 placements, and you also have the back patio table as a dining area as well. The living room furniture is newer than in the photos and we found it very comfortable for watching the Black Ferns in the Rugby World Cup semis. Wifi coverage is decent in the bach and the Internet connection was very fast for rural NZ Internet service.
On the day we checked-in, Ray welcomed us to the place with a shovel on hand that we could use at the nearby Kawhia Hot Beaches. We welcomed his recommendations for other attractions we could find in the area and a brief history of Kawhia's historical significance. Altogether a great stay and wished we had a few more days to relax and enjoy more of what the area had to offer. Fantastics hosts and a great bach. We highly recommend it.