Relax at Henipapa, your private South Pacific haven nestled in the kiwi habitat zone or Russell and sharing the same property with our cottage, Wetekia (sleeps 4) which is also available for rent.

Situated 3 mins easy stroll into historic Russell, there's safe all-tide swimming in Kororareka Bay, the main beach just in front of the house, or a short drive over to lovely Oneroa (Long Beach).

Great for large family groups, it easily sleeps 12 with 3 double bedrooms, and a large bunk-room with own bathroom.

Built in 1927 as a Whalers' cottage, Henipapa is an open & breezy summer house oozing with rich history and tropical south-pacific style.

There's plenty of comfy spaces to lounge about inside with a book, or chase the sun on a bean bag around the large grounds. Lazy and languid by day, the top lawn is the best spot for late afternoon sun and views of the bay.

Sweeping decks around the main house offer views to the Russell wharf & Pompellier House, while the central courtyard between Henipapa (the main house) & Wetekia (the cottage), offers gentle shade by day, and a romantic fairy-lit haven by night with a BBQ area just off the kitchen.

The kitchen is well set up with a Delonghi automatic espresso machine to start the day, a 4 slice toaster, water filter jug and everything else you may need. There is a Bluetooth UE Boom speaker for guest use (+ another in the cottage if you also rent that, so you can sync them up for stereo!), while the Samsung Frame smart TV is set up with free Netflix and Amazon Prime video.

The key is in the lock-box, so let yourself in and make yourself at home. Henipapa is nestled in a very healthy bush kiwi habitat zone and immersed in birdsong, so you'll hear kiwi & ruru (morepork) calling to each other in the evening and you may even see one if you keep a watchful eye out at! You'll definitely see the family of cheeky Weka roaming around the property during the day.

Note: Christmas and New Year bookings are 7 nights minimum. Summer season (Dec, Jan, Feb) is 3 nights minimum, as are long weekends throughout the year.

Things to do in Kororareka, Russell:

You can enjoy safe all-tide swimming in Kororareka Bay, Russell town's main beach right in front of the house, or take an easy 20 minute stroll (or a short 3 min drive) over to stunning Oneroa (Long Beach), where you can get your 2nd coffee of the morning from Karl's beachside espresso cart, serving locally roasted Tohora coffee.

If you need something slightly more robust to start the morning, you can't go past a Bloody Mary from The Duke, New Zealand's oldest pub, or a breakfast Bagel from Hellhole (also the Roastery of the aforementioned Tohora Coffee).

Russell is a lovely town to stroll around, day and night. It's steeped in early New Zealand history, all within easy walking distance.

Our favourite historical walking loop starts at the bottom of our driveway!

Walk up Wellington St for about 3 minutes (it's steep at first but it gets easier) to find the lovely bush path that leads you up to Te Maike (Flagstaff), where Hone Heke and his warriors cut down the flagpole, there's a great information installation that gives you a good sense of the events leading up to this. Then, at the northern end, just past the flagpole, take the walking track back down to Titore Way, and turn left on to the road. Walk to the end of the street, where you'll find another lovely bush track, which will take you past some beautiful lookout spots back to Wellington St, just above our house.

Next, head down to Christ Church, New Zealand’s oldest existing church, where you can see the bullet holes still visible from the ensuing Battle of Kororareka shortly after, when the HMS Hazard bombarded the town. In the cemetery you'll see the headstones of many of the characters you would have read about up at the Te Maike memorial.

Wander down to the bay past the Russell Museum (also well worth a look if you have the time) to the Pompellier Mission to enjoy freshly baked croissant and coffee, home of New Zealand's first Bishop & printing press.

Then if you want to make a full day of it, take a ferry over to the Waitangi Treaty grounds, Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important historic site. Explore the two new contemporary museums, Te Rau Aroha, Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, the carving studio, the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga (Carved Meeting House), traditional Māori waka taua (war canoes) and enjoy a full programme of tours and cultural performances.

There are great places to eat and drink in Russell, the Duke, New Zealand's oldest pub is a firm favourite for both, with spectacular views and sunsets, as is the Swordfish club for a slightly more casual vibe. Butterfish is excellent for casual café food and awesome breakfasts. The Gables is great for fine dining on the foreshore (they serve amazing barrel aged Negronis too), while Hone's Garden serves delicious wood-fired pizza and craft beers in a beautiful outdoor courtyard.

If you want to combine it with a day on the water, take the Explore Ferry out to Otahei Bay where there is a very cool beachside café that often has live music.