Brand new and right on the bay. The Lighthouse has always been the favourite at Shipwreck Bay (Te Kōhanga), so we've rebuilt it at twice the size. Corner windows look straight up the bay to the point, and sliding doors open onto a big balcony with the barbecue.

THE STUDIO
The Lighthouse has just been fully renovated and extended, so it's double the size it used to be. Same view, a lot more room.

The bedroom end has glass on two corners and sliding doors out to the balcony. Lie in and check the surf from your bed. The sound of the waves rolling in will put you to sleep at night and wake you up in the morning. No surf report needed.

The living and kitchen area has a single daybed, great for stretching out with a book during the day and a comfy bed for a child at night. There's a table for two and a proper kitchen: two separate benches, two fridges, an air fryer and everything you need to cook a decent feed. There's enough room that you're not tripping over each other.

Out on the balcony there's the barbecue and a spot to sit and watch the sets come through. That's the evening sorted.

WiFi, and off-street parking right by the door. It's a beach place, not a hotel. Fresh, comfortable, and set up for people who come here for the ocean. Sleeps two adults in the queen, plus one child on the single daybed. Dogs welcome.

THE SURF
The beach is right off the front lawn. You're on it in under a minute without touching your car. If you don't have a board, I'm sure I can find one for you, and there are paddle boards here too. If you've never surfed, this is one of the best places in the country to learn: sand bottom, long gentle lefts, and I'm happy to get you started. If you have surfed, you already know what Shipwrecks is. Peaks, Mukies 1 and 2, Blue House and the Wreck, some of the longest left-hand point breaks in the world, right at the gateway of the property.

YOUR HOST
I've lived here my whole life. I surf, paddle board, dive for crays and paua, and fish, and I know every spot on this coast. Want the best wave for your level, a feed, or a quiet beach for the two of you? Ask me. I'm around most days.

THE AREA
Four or five minutes puts you in Ahipara village: cafe, dairy, bottle shop, gas station, takeaways, horse trekking on the beach, quad bike and blokart hire, and a golf course. Fifteen minutes more and you're in Kaitaia. Ninety Mile Beach starts right here at the bay, and Cape Reinga is an easy day trip. Bring the 4WD if you've got one.

Please note: the renovation has only just been finished, so one of the photos is an artist's impression of the living area. We'll swap in photos of the finished room as soon as it's styled.