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Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Adventure
Budget
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Foodie
Relaxing
Eco
City
Village
Mountains
Beach
Water
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Golf
Accessibility
Step free access
Easy entrance
Single level
Wide hallways
Accessible switches
Accessible door handles
Accessible tap hardware
Accessible windows
Accessible bedroom
Accessible height bed
Accessible toilet
Accessible shower
Handheld shower
Accessible kitchen access
Accessible parking space
House Rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Dog free
Smoke free
Fragrance free
Dates of Availability
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Neighbourhood
We are located on the North Island, on the Bay of Plenty, which means that we are centrally located for a wide array of popular visitor destinations. The Bay of Plenty usually gets the annual "award" for being the sunniest spot in NZ.
Our home is located in the village of Maketu, pop 1,000. It is the site of one of the first human settlements in NZ and is rooted in New Zealand's Maori history. There has been a continuous community in Maketu for over 800 years. In the village you’ll find a small convenience store, a "fush and chups" shop (fish & chips), and a quaint seaside café… that’s it. A short drive away is the lovely town of Te Puke where you’ll find supermarkets, restaurants, retail shops, banks, and anything else you’re likely to need. But if you want the bright lights, it’s only 30 minutes to Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui (pop 160,000+). And, it is only 45 minutes to Rotorua, a popular destination for visitors.
If you zoom in on Google Earth, you’ll see that Maketu is a small peninsula that juts into the Bay of Plenty. It’s off the main road (just 7km) which means that it’s a quiet laid-back village. To say that Maketu is framed by water would be an under-statement. Not only is it surrounded by the bay, but it is nestled between two estuaries whose wetlands abound with bird life. And it’s at the mouth of the Kaituna River a popular spot for good fishing.
Our home is at the top of a peninsula that juts out into the bay. It's Maori name is Okurei. In 1769 Captain Cook spotted a Maori settlement on the point as he sailed by and noted in his ledger that it reminded him of home. He gave it the name "Town Point", which was the custom of colonists of that period who had a habit of renaming places that already had a name. We live in a quiet and friendly neighborhood. Our home sits right on the seafront. It’s only 30 paces to the water… but watch out… it’s 25 mtrs straight down! So there isn’t any beach in front on the house, only a spectacular elevated cliffside view. Just a 15 minute walk away, you’ll find a beautiful secluded beach where locals swim and play (see pics)
Nearest airport
We are also 30-40 minutes from two domestic airports -Tauranga or Rotorua. Both airports have several daily flights to/from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch
Getting Around
Having a car is essential. We are open to having a car-swap.
Map of Approximate Location
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Feedback
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Premium
David & Susan
American-born, David and Susan made New Zealand their home in 2003 and are now Kiwi citizens.
David was a health program administrator in California for several years before starting a computer company in Fiji. Ten years later he sold the Fiji business and worked in property management back in California until fully retiring.
Susan is a retired educator. She has taught at every level from primary, to junior and senior high school. As a teacher, she headed up an alternative school for teenagers who had dropped out of the traditional system, and spent a term teaching in a girls school in Fiji. Before retiring, Susan was a program administrator for a large California school district. Susan is the musician in our family… piano, organ, and cello… as well as vocal music and choral conducting.
We have three adult children who live on both coasts of the USA.
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.